The Possible and the Actual

by François Jacob

The Possible and the Actual (Pantheon's Asia Library) [paperback] Jacob, Francois [Jan 12, 1982]

Genres: Science, Biology, Philosophy, Essays, Nonfiction

79 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 1982

Reviews

[Moran]

This is a book about the philosophy of biology (or the biology of philosophy), written in the early 80's by Francois Jacob, a Nobel laureate and a smart guy in general.
Although much have changed in biology in the last 30 years, it's pretty impressive he's able to describe and beautifully explain the basis for all biology without being outdated or wrong.
Although it sounds boring, it's actually interesting - sex, evolution, development and science, greatly written. It was interesting to read even for someone who has studied biology and knows all the dry facts - this perspective definitely adds a lot.

In the edition I read, there's an afterwards by some other guy. Don't read it. It's the exact opposite from everything I've just wrote - boring, tedious, and lacking charm and simplicity.

Go read the book.

[Beth Lapides]

I donlt remember anything about this book except the title - I read it in high school. But the title has permeated my life and how I think - and I suspect the book did too. Am going to reread, but there's no Good Read button for that.

[Jason Gordon]

Diversity is nature's way of coping with the possible.