"Many scientists regard mass and energy as the primary currency of nature. In recent years, however, the concept of information has gained importance. 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 the philosophical, theological, and ethical implications"--Summary preceding t.p.

Does information matter? / Paul Davies and Niels Henrik Gregersen -- From matter to materialism ... and (almost) back / Ernan McMullin -- Unsolved dilemmas : the concept of matter in the history of philosophy and in contemporary physics / Philip Clayton -- Universe from bit / Paul Davies -- Computational universe / Seth Lloyd -- Minds and values in the quantum universe / Henry Pierce Stapp -- Concept of information in biology / John Maynard Smith -- What is missing from theories of information / Terence W. Deacon -- Information and communication in living matter / Bernd-Olaf Küppers -- Semiotic freedom : an emerging force Jesper Hoffmeyer -- Care on earth : generating informed concern / Holmes Rolston --Sciences of complexity : a new theological resource? / Arthur Peacocke -- God as the ultimate informational principle / Keith Ward -- Information, theology and the universe / John F. Haught -- God, matter, and information : towards a Stoicizing Logos christology / Niels Henrik Gregersen -- What is the 'spiritual body'? : On what may be regarded as 'ultimate' in the interrelation between God, matter, and information / Michael Welker.