The Stars in Their Courses
The Stars in Their Courses" is Asimov's essay collection exploring science and society with clear explanations, tackling topics from stars to human behaviour.
"The Stars in Their Courses" is presented not as a single narrative story with a plot, but rather as a collection of seventeen essays by Isaac Asimov. Asimov himself is described as a "professional explainer", and these essays showcase his wide knowledge, quick wit, and lucid style. The book covers a variety of topics, spanning different fields of science and society, categorised into Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, and Sociology. Reading through these essays feels like embarking on a journey through Asimov's mind, encountering his perspectives on a diverse range of subjects.
The journey begins with an introduction to Asimov's approach to explaining the world. He highlights a common pitfall in communication, the assumption that something "obvious" to one person is equally clear to another. This underscores his dedication to clear and logical explanation, a characteristic evident throughout the essays. He is passionate about improving our understanding of the natural laws that govern the earth, and his writing reflects a deep devotion to science and the delight found in its pursuit.
The first section delves into Astronomy. Here, Asimov tackles topics from the origins and influence of astrology to the practical and theoretical problems of the speed of light barrier. He has strong views on subjects like astrology, readily dismissing it as "stuff and nonsense, sheerest bilge, absolute tripe". However, he acknowledges that this view is not obvious to everyone, noting the surprising popularity and prevalence of astrology practitioners. This immediately sets a tone of directness combined with an awareness of differing public opinions, a hallmark of his explanatory style.
Within the astronomy essays, he also reflects on personal experiences. He recounts an instance where he was asked by a magazine to describe a total solar eclipse for an article. Drawing on his skills as a writer, he provided a vivid and moving description. This experience, however, brought a moment of nervousness, as he realised the description was purely imaginative, based on his writing ability, rather than personal observation – he had never actually seen a total eclipse. This personal anecdote adds a layer of humanity and self-awareness to his exploration of scientific topics.
As the book progresses through its sections on Physics, Chemistry, and Sociology, Asimov touches upon various concepts and histories of science. He discusses the distinction between mass and weight, noting how everyday language often blurs this line, even for scientists, due to "hang-over traditions". He uses analogies, like his "Law of Contact," to illustrate fundamental principles in a simple, relatable way. He looks back at historical figures who shaped our understanding of the universe and its laws, such as Ptolemy, Hipparchus, and Aristarchus, discussing their contributions and the complex, sometimes unjust, path of scientific recognition. He also introduces us to later figures like Henry Cavendish and Henry Gwyn-Jeffreys Moseley, whose work revealed fundamental properties of elements.
Asimov’s narrative often incorporates encounters and reflections on his own life. He shares a humorous anecdote about his father, who initially struggled with the pronunciation of Jules Verne's name but shared his son's enjoyment of science fiction. He also proudly recounts a story about his mother correcting a teacher who suggested his mother's writing skill was inherited from him, when in fact, she attributed his abilities to herself, acknowledging the "unidirectional flow of genes". These personal touches ground the scientific and historical discussions in relatable human experience. He expresses deep gratitude for his father, acknowledging that his own "avidity for learning and explaining" brought him not only material success but also an immeasurable "enrichment of life".
A significant theme that emerges is Asimov's role in confronting pseudoscience and promoting scientific thinking. He dedicates an essay to critically examining Immanuel Velikovsky's "Worlds in Collision". He finds Velikovsky's theories based on a near collision of Venus with Earth to explain biblical plagues and other events utterly lacking in scientific merit. He critiques Velikovsky's approach of taking myths and legends literally and selectively interpreting scientific findings or even adjusting historical dates to fit his narrative. Asimov firmly states that anyone who reads Velikovsky's book and finds merit in it reveals themselves to be a "scientific illiterate". He contrasts Velikovsky's approach with the established rules and methods of science, which require observations and evidence to support theories, not just intellectual amusement or vague speculations.
Asimov also reflects on the nature of scientific progress itself, describing it as a "game" with established rules that must be followed by anyone hoping to make a genuine revolution. He illustrates this through the history of understanding the red shift, showing how observations and rigorous work by many individuals over time built the foundation for our understanding of the expanding Universe. He suggests that those who wish to supplant existing scientific understanding must first thoroughly know what they are trying to replace.
Beyond the pure science, Asimov turns his attention to the societal implications of scientific advancement. He explores the idea of the "sin of the scientist," particularly regarding the development of technologies that can be used for harm, such as poison gas or biological weapons. He raises the question of the moral responsibility of scientists and society, noting that while some applications of science, like nuclear power, have potential for good alongside danger, others, like nerve gas or plague bacilli in large quantities, seem to serve no constructive purpose. He even shares a letter he received from an army officer working on biological warfare who resented his critique. Asimov also touches upon the power of progression, particularly alarming trends like exponential population growth, which he sees leading towards a global catastrophe. Despite the pressing problems and perceived mediocrity of ruling minds, he maintains a degree of hope.
Throughout the collection, Asimov maintains a conversational and accessible tone, making complex ideas understandable. He uses everyday examples and personal anecdotes to connect with the reader, fulfilling his self-described role as a "professional explainer". The essays, while independent, collectively present a view of science not just as a collection of facts, but as a dynamic human endeavour deeply intertwined with history, society, and individual experience. The book leads the reader through a process of critical thinking, challenging widely held but unfounded beliefs, and appreciating the rigorous methods and rich history of scientific discovery. It’s a journey that aims to enlarge the reader's understanding of the natural world and the human place within it.
The volume itself is presented as the tenth in a series of collected science essays by Asimov. Other books in this series mentioned include "The Solar System and Back," "Science, Numbers and I," "Is Anyone There?," "From Earth to Heaven," and "Of Time and Space and Other Things". "The Stars in Their Courses" contains essays that previously appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction between May 1969 and September 1970. The book was published by Doubleday & Company, Inc., in 1971.
In summary, while not a story with a linear plot, "The Stars in Their Courses" offers a narrative experience through a collection of essays that reflect Isaac Asimov's perspective on science, its history, and its place in the world. It builds from fundamental principles of clear communication and scientific thinking, tackles various astronomical, physical, chemical, and sociological topics, often debunking pseudoscience, and leads the reader towards a deeper appreciation of the scientific method, the history of discovery, and the critical issues facing humanity in an increasingly complex world. The essays are tied together by Asimov's distinctive voice, blending intellectual rigour with personal reflection and a deep-seated love for explanation.
