Book Reviewed: Alien Earths: The New Science of Planet Hunting in the Cosmos by Dr. Lisa Kaltenegger

An exploration of life in the cosmos The book briefly discusses the methods astronomers use to detect exoplanets and describes briefly extrasolar planets that may support life. Her narratives are not so engaging with personal anecdotes, such as drinking coffee in a European city than discussing alien life. Her drifting into personal stories is not appealing. With respect to finding alien life, certain things have to be imperative for planet formation and evolution, such as low-mass exoplanets of less than ten-Earth masses, smaller than 2.5 Earth radii that are likely to be rocky. Large mass planets are generally gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn that are unlikely to have life. But rocky planets do not guarantee life, they need to have bio-signatures in their atmosphere that support life, like carbon, water and oxygen, the other essential elements, and molecules necessary for life to form, and its gradual evolution. Planets in the habitable zones around solar-like stars are helpful to investigate, and they must have Earth-like periods like Kepler-725 c that has a period of 207.5 days around its star that must have a stable orbit (Kepler-725 c doesn’t). Surface planetary habitability requires an orbit at the right distance from the host star for liquid surface water to be present, geophysical, and geodynamic aspects, atmospheric density, radiation type and intensity, and the host star's plasma environment. The magnetosphere, like we have here on Earth, will help an extrasolar planet for sustained life evolution over hundreds of millions of years. Some of the promising alien planets also have shortcomings in terms of finding life: for example. 1. The planet Proxima Centauri b is at a distance: 4.2 light-years (closest exoplanet to Earth), Star: Proxima Centauri (a red dwarf), Size: 1.1 times Earth's mass, Orbit: Habitable zone (may allow liquid water), Promise: Rocky planet, potentially Earth-like surface temperatures, and challenges: Its star emits strong solar flares, possibly harmful to the planetary atmosphere 2. TRAPPIST-1 System, distance: 39 light-years, Star: TRAPPIST-1 (ultra-cool red dwarf), number of planets: seven Earth-sized planets, at least three in the habitable zone (TRAPPIST-1e, -f, -g), promise: High potential for rocky surfaces and stable orbits likely have water, and challenges: close orbits may cause tidal locking (same side always faces star); stellar activity may strip atmospheres 3. Planet Kepler-442b, Distance: 1,200 light-years, Star: K-type (orange dwarf), Size: 1.3 times Earth's size, Orbit: In the habitable zone, Promise: High habitability score; stable sunlight from its star, and Challenges: Far away; no atmosphere confirmed yet (1,200 light years from Earth) Our technology allows detection of alien planets only in Milky Way galaxy, but the estimated number of galaxies in the observable universe is about 2 trillion, according to data from the Hubble Space Telescope and later studies. Readers interested in the search for extraterrestrial life, I recommend articles from well-known science magazines like Scientific American, Discover, National Geographic, Journal Nature, NASA Exoplanet Archives, and other science focused magazines some of which are available at your local public libraries.

Book Reviewed: The Vedanta Sutras of Badarayana, Part 1-2 by Śaṅkara translated by George Thibaut

Adi Shankaracharya’s interpretation of the Vedanta Sutras The Brahma Sūtras are terse and cryptic words. Each Sūtra requires detailed commentary (bhāṣya) to make them comprehensible. They generally do not specify the subject or the context explicitly, but they were interpreted based on one’s philosophical views and the knowledge of the Upanishads, one of the sacred texts of Hinduism. In summary, the Vedānta Sūtras are like mirrors, and each school of Vedānta expound its own reflection on the brevity and interpretive flexibility of the sutras. They elucidate differing views on the nature of physical reality, God, liberation, and close-knit relationship with them. Hence, commentators like Śaṅkara, Rāmānuja, Madhva, Vallabha, Nimbārka and others understood Brahma Sūtras through their metaphysical and theological views. The Vedanta Sutras (Brahma Sutras) of Badarayana are one of the foundational texts of Vedanta philosophy, a major school of Hindu philosophy focused on the nature of Brahman (the Ultimate Reality) and Atman (the self or soul or jiva). The Vedanta Sutras has four chapters (adhyāyas), and each chapter has four sections (pādas). The four pādas consists of 555 Sūtras (aphoristic statements). Adhyāya One, establishes that Brahman as the central theme of all Upanishads, and it harmonizes apparent contradictions in the scriptures, and lays the foundation for metaphysical discussion. Adhyāya Four, describes the liberation (moksha) that results from realizing Brahman and achieve freedom from the cycle of birth and death and union with the Infinite (Brahman). In this book, the author discusses the Advaita philosophy of Śaṅkara that proposes Brahman is the Ultimate, Formless, Changeless Reality for the creation of the Cosmos. Atman is Brahman, and the individual soul (Atman, jiva) is not separate from the absolute (Brahman). The Liberation (moksha) comes through knowledge and realization of this non-duality. The goal is jnana (knowledge) which leads to dissolution of ego, and to the unification with Brahman. This is one of the most informative books published by the early European scholars on Vedanta and the commentary of Śaṅkara. The author discusses a brief history of Vedānta and how it evolved during post-Vedic period: The Pūrva Mīmāṁsā and Uttara Mīmāṁsā (also known as Vedānta) are two major schools of Hindu philosophy that interpret the ancient Hindu scriptures of Vedas, the most ancient and sacred Hindu scriptures. They represent different focuses and methodologies in understanding the Vedic texts. Pūrva Mīmāṁsā emphasizes Karma Kāṇḍa and follow fire ritual practices (performing yajna, homa, and material offerings to the Vedic deities), and follow the principles of Dharma. The liberation from material life is not its main concern; rather, it's about attaining worldly results leading to heaven (Svarga). But the Uttara Mīmāṁsā (Vedānta) emphasizes Jñāna Kāṇḍa that seeks the Spiritual Knowledge and Mokṣa, true liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It is focused on self-inquiry and freedom through realization of Brahman. Both schools agree on the authority of the Vedas, but they interpret their purpose very differently. Pūrva Mīmāṁsā is action-oriented, and Uttara Mīmāṁsā is knowledge-oriented. According to Śaṅkara which is described in this book, the self (jiva) and Brahman are the same, it is the illusion (Maya) that creates physical reality we see and experience. They create ego and false impression that self has separate existence, but they are not different; jīva is Brahman. The nature of physical reality, as understood from classical and quantum physics, uphold the Advaita Philosophy’s interpretation of the material reality.

Book Reviewed: Ancient Hindu Science by Alok Kumar

Science, medicine, and astronomy in ancient Hindu India This book provides a brief sketch of the scientific contributions of Hindus and reminds us of the mathematical tools perfected for astronomical and physical calculations. The author articulates the essence of Hindu science that includes mathematics, science, and medicine. He gives equal allocation of time and space for these subjects to highlight the dominance of ancient Indian Hindu science and mathematics. Often, the author uses the quotes of European authors like Florian Cajori (1859–1930), a Swiss American historian who did not specialize in the history of Indian science. The author could have considered the Indian discoveries and inventions on its merit than start off with a European view. Most Western historians of 19th and 20th centuries were Eurocentric, and Cajori’s focus was Greek and European mathematics, and often underestimated Indian contributions. However, the proudest moments for Hindu science were when Indian mathematicians like Aryabhata (fifth century CE) and Brahmagupta developed the concept of zero as a number and created the decimal system. Early Hindu scholars wrote about algebra (called Bijaganita) and trigonometric functions like sine (jya) and cosine. Aryabhata proposed that the Earth rotates on its axis and planets move in elliptical orbits long before it was “discovered” in Europe. Indian astronomers calculated the length of the solar year very precisely and developed methods to predict eclipses. In short, ancient India was a scientific powerhouse making discoveries not only in mathematics and astronomy, but also in health, medicine, surgery, chemistry, and agriculture that founded modern science. The wisdom of Hindus may be found in the earliest Hindu scriptures: "Let noble thoughts come to us from every side." Rigveda 1.89.1, a call for open-mindedness and wisdom from all directions. "Truth alone triumphs, not falsehood." Mundaka Upanishad 3.1.6a. And "You have the right to perform your duties, but not to the fruits of your actions." Bhagavad Gita 2.47. The author could have expanded on the chapters that focus on mathematics, and astronomy. But for in-depth studies, I recommend: “The History of Ancient Indian Mathematics" by C.N. Srinivas Iyengar; Works by D.D. Kosambi; and “The Crest of the Peacock" by George Verghese Joseph.

Book Reviewed: Science in Ancient India by Melissa Stewart.

A brief history of ancient India for kids This is a book for kids about the scientific contributions of ancient India, which sounds interesting but also has serious errors. In the opening section, it states that “around 3,500 years ago, a group of light-skinned people called Aryans came to India through passages in the Hindu Kush mountains. Unlike the Dravidians, the Aryans were wandering herders. Over the next five hundred years, the Aryans slowly moved southward until they reached the Ganges Valley in central India. As the Aryans invaded, they pushed the Dravidians farther and farther south. Eventually, the Aryans began to settle down and farm.” This has strong racial overtones and subordination of the Indian population. 19th-century European scholars proposed this to support colonization of India by the British Empire, which claimed that Indo-European-speaking "Aryans" invaded and conquered the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) around 1500 BCE. Suggested that this invasion led to the decline of the IVC and the rise of Vedic culture in northern India. In fact, there's no clear evidence of violent invasion or large-scale destruction in Indus Valley sites. Recent genetic evidence, such as Rakhigarhi DNA studies, shows no marker of a sudden, large-scale migration or invasion. However, there is interesting section that describes the work of Indian astronomers like Brahmagupta who described the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter long before telescope was invented in the 1600s. The work of Aryabhata describes planetary movements in great detail. It is amazing that this scientific was known long before Europeans claimed to have discovered them.

Book Reviewed: To Be a Jew Today: A New Guide to God, Israel, and the Jewish People by Noah Feldman

The Jewish identity Author Noah Feldman, a Harvard law professor with Orthodox Jewish identity offers the ways Jews relate to faith, community, and the state of Israel in the 21st century. He examines four categories of Jews: traditionalists, progressives, evolutionists, and Godless Jews, and concludes that secular or non-believing Jews are engaged in a form of spiritual struggle, and still makes them Jewish. In one section he evaluates Israel’s identity as a Jewish state and its struggle with Arabs and Palestinian population. The focus is mainly on American Jewish experiences and doesn’t address Mizrahi, Sephardic, or African Jewish perspectives. He also doesn’t examine the widespread antisemitism and anti-Israel activities on American college campuses. Antisemitism in Western Europe and North America is due to an increase in Islamist ideology, and left-wing anti-Zionism. In one section of the book, he states that “The thing I can say with confidence is that, having immersed myself in Jewish tradition and thought, and having occupied the position of bad Jew to some observers and commentators some of the time, I have come to learn that the tradition, in all its multifarious guises and unexpected manifestations, will never abandon me. That's something.” Does the author mean that other traditions/faiths, like Hinduism, Buddhism or Christianism also does not abandon its followers for being different? So, what is unique about Jewish traditions? Harvard University’s January 2024 “Antisemitism on Campus” report underscores a significant rise in both witnessed and experienced antisemitic acts on campus. It is abundant in statistics as well as anecdotes, and offers more than three hundred pages of dismal reading. Except for Alan Dershowitz, no other faculty members including this author have ever criticized or condemned the school for its divisive role. So, how can we take his analysis seriously?

Book Reviewed: Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope, and the Human Spirit by Henry A. Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Craig Mundie

AI in our future This is a review of the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) on future human identity. It explores AI's capacity to address challenges like climate, global politics, war, and healthcare in the absence of human autonomy. The book is purely speculative and lacks concrete solutions to the challenges of AI. Some parts of the book are too speculative to the extent that the authors are more like false prophets sounding alarm if ethical component is not added to the AI development. This book is no different from other AI books I have read, lacks solutions and blindly imbibing ethics into AI-machines. These authors never addressed how AI would treat animals and lower forms of life but always worried about the interests of Homo Sapiens. It goes to show that the AI researchers couldn’t care about this issue, or that AI will not harm animals. Homo Sapiens were new kids on the block when they appeared on this planet about 300,000 years ago. Palaeobiological evidence suggests that Homo Sapiens may have contributed to the demise of their cousins Neanderthals who became extinct about 40,000 years ago. Did Neanderthals ever think that they would be better off to have Homo Sapiens eliminated, no, they didn’t. Then why is it so important to produce AI with human elements imbibed into it? This becomes a problem when we consider infusing AI with too much of our own limitations like biases, emotions, or subjective views that will reduce AI’s objectivity or clarity in certain tasks. For example, understanding fundamental truths about the cosmos or life itself would never be achieved. AI with human-like thoughts (humane AI) cloud its judgment and misinterpret raw data. Subjective thinking overrides data-driven reasoning. Science thrives on objectivity and falsifiability, the traits not always shared by humans. The book leans heavily on conjecture regarding AI’s capabilities and societal impacts without providing concrete evidence, and it lacks practical solutions.

Book Reviewed: Lost Christianities: The Battles of Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew by Bart Ehrman

How did early “chaotic” Christianity evolve into a major faith system This is a scholarly exploration of several Christian movements in the first two hundred years of the common era that did not make into the current Christian system. This period in the Biblical history was marred by theological conflicts and destruction of scriptures regarded by early bishops as heretical. These included several scriptures of Gnosticism, Marcionism, and ebonist theology. The author shows that these groups had vastly different description of the Jesus’ teachings, salvation, and the identity of God. Gospel of Mary (Mary Magdalene), Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Peter, and numerous other apocryphal acts and epistles offers alternate portrayals of Jesus, the God, and Christian beliefs and practices. In fact, Mary Magdalene, one of the closest disciples of Jesus who knew Jesus’ teachings well was instructed by Jesus to lead his ministry after his departure. This gospel clearly states that there is no such thing as Sin in this world. Author Ehrman discusses about forty-five apocryphal texts used by diverse group of Christian communities who believed and practiced Christian faith very differently. The role of early bishops and leaders of Christian communities were influential in the final outcome. By the end of the fourth century, the current version of the New Testament came into existence. The author calls early bishops who shaped the New Testament as the sacred scriptures of proto-orthodox Christians. This process included forgery, destruction of apocryphal texts that were labeled heresy, and creation of texts to uphold the proto-orthodox Christianity. The Gospels were written anonymously to begin with and later were called by the names of their reputed authors, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It is apparent that the New Testament canon was not divinely dictated, but it evolved over time through human decisions that were contentious and politically motivated. Heresiologists (who refuted heresies: beliefs or doctrines contrary to orthodox Christian teaching was regarded as false) like, Irenaeus, Hippolytus, Epiphanius, and Tertullian fought to destroy Gnosticism, Marcionism, and ebonist theology. Proto-Orthodox Bishops like Ignatius, Polycarp, Clement, Athanasius preached the early form of Christian belief system with forged texts to support their view. There are numerous books published by the “Jesus Seminar,” a team of well-respected Biblical scholars that discuss how the four canonized gospels evolved and came into existence, and which part of these gospels are fabricated. The author briefly discusses this in this book. This is a thought-provoking and well-researched work that narrates the very fluid state of early Christian belief system. This is highly readable, and I strongly recommend this to readers interested in early Christianity, biblical history, and anyone interested to know the truth about New Testament.