POWER IN THE BLOOD

In this dense but thought-provoking treatise, Porter argues in support of a provocative, refreshing assertion: The mysteries of physics and the cosmos are “inherently simpler than biology.”

Publishers and cable TV routinely disseminate dramatic theories about black holes, string theory and multiverses, but Porter reminds readers that any “unstinting scrutiny of living phenomena unveils a stupendous hyper-complexity that beggars human understanding.” Throughout his discussion, which he relates in a sometimes demanding style, Porter reviews the divisive debate sparked by questions about life, Darwin’s theory of evolution, creationism and “intelligent design.” He faults advocates on all sides for “ingrained obstinacy,” but Porter defends Darwin to the extent that the scientist simply wrote down what he “parsed from the Book of Nature” while acknowledging that he didn’t have any explanation for some phenomena such as instincts. To this day, our knowledge of evolution remains “an outpost on the fringe of a wilderness,” Porter says, although it’s at least “possible to describe how stars may have evolved from clouds of hydrogen.” Spicing up the narrative are eye-opening examples of animal and insect behaviors, along with occasional references to Shakespeare and popular culture. For example, explaining an astounding animal adaptation by saying “this phenomenon was ‘selected’ ” is, Porter says, like explaining the Beatles’ success by saying “they were likewise chosen by the favor of popular opinion.” The “intelligent design” hypothesis is just about as “meaningful” as the Beatles analysis, Porter wryly observes, pointing out that “intelligent design” advocates who “[conflate] faith and science…would have us believe them to be exceptionally acquainted with the mind of God.” However, as Porter implies in his book’s title, he believes there to be some sort of force at work in everything encompassed by the universe, and “if some innate Divinity…resides in every atom and every cell, the poetry of life may have been written not by a mind external or prior to Creation…but instead by Nature herself.”

An enriching, immersive experience for anyone interested in exploring the foundation of life.