The River That Flows Uphill

[Aquablue]

Did anyone else finish this book? I think it's fantastic. It also makes me feel slightly sad though... It's so extremely scientific. William H. Calvin, for instance, pulverizes the idea of existence of a 'soul', and also gives philosophy a rather nasty kick.
I still immensively enjoyed it though. I've seen the Grand Canyon more than 4 times, but I've always stayed on the top. Too see how the view is when you're at the bottom, by the colorado, is really something else. Also, the way the author weaves his experiences in the Grand Canyon together with a complete scientific explanation of how we came to exist, is very well done. It reminded my of Bill Bryson's A Short History Of Nearly Everything at times. :D

[elwood]

Well, if you start reading philosophy, you can get into some pretty interesting stuff. I think a lot of people like the idea of a God and a soul and whatnot because it gives your life permanance, and can make you think that God has a plan for everything, and that can provide meaning and a frame of reference to view everything from. Sometimes its a bit disappointing if you come to believe that its not true, that there is no God,and that no one has a plan for you. But philosophers have also argued the exact opposite side of the coin, and that God having a plan for everything makes life meaningless because your choices are worthless, and are all operating towards this predetermined end. Some things to check out about this in Wikipedia would be Nietzsche, Jean Paul Sartre, and Nihilism.

*Disclaimer 1: I've never studied philosophy academically, so take all of this for what its worth.
*Disclaimer 2: "God" means your God(or Gods) of preference, not one specific God, so lets not start any religious flamewars.