The New Universe and the Human Future: How a Shared Cosmology Could Transform the World (The Terry Lectures Series)

Nancy Ellen Abrams, a cultural philosopher and astrophysicist, explores humanity's place in the universe and what that understanding means for our future. The book argues that a four-century separation between science and questions of meaning could be bridged through a shared creation story based on modern cosmology and biology—one that is now scientifically available. Such agreement, the author contends, could reshape our relationship with Earth and benefit humanity both now and in the future. Written in accessible prose and illustrated with color images from universe simulations, the book presents the scientific picture of the cosmos and interprets what humanity's position within it may signify. It explores how this knowledge might address global challenges including climate change and unsustainable growth, and argues for the need to "think cosmically, act globally" to ensure a long-term, prosperous future on Earth.