Information and the nature of reality : from physics to metaphysics / [edited by] Paul Davies and Niels Henrik Gregersen.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. Introduction: does information matter?; Paul Davies and Niels Henrik Gregersen;
Part I. History:
2. From matter to materialism ... and (almost) back Ernan McMullin;
3. Unsolved dilemmas: the concept of matter in the history of philosophy and in contemporary physics Philip Clayton;
Part II. Physics:
4. Universe from bit Paul Davies;
5. The computational universe Seth Lloyd;
6. Minds and values in the quantum universe Henry Pierce Stapp;
Part III. Biology:
7. The concept of information in biology John Maynard Smith;
8. Levels of information: Shannon-Bolzmann-Darwin Terrence W. Deacon;
9. Information and communication in living matter Bernd-Olaf Kuppers;
10. Semiotic freedom: an emerging force Jesper Hoffmeyer;
11. Care on earth: generating informed concern Holmes Rolston;
Part IV. Philosophy and Theology:
12. The sciences of complexity - a new theological resource? Arthur Peacocke;
13. God as the ultimate informational principle Keith Ward;
14. Information, theology and the universe John F. Haught;
15. God, matter, and information: towards a Stoicizing Logos christology Niels Henrik Gregersen;
16. What is the 'spiritual body'? Michael Welker;
Index.

In this book, eminent scientists, philosophers and theologians chart various aspects of information, from quantum information to biological and digital information, in order to understand how nature works. Beginning with a historical treatment of the topic, the book also examines physical and biological approaches to information, and its philosophical, theological and ethical implications.