Greek-American Professor Phaedrus (Fred) Pratas thinks he has discovered a new kind of DNA (the "Green Helix") that is not inherited, one that he can experimental induce. The GH violates every concept of modern biology, refutes determinism, and promises free will and a Nobel prize. His shrink thinks, however, that he is delusional and advises a vacation to Greece to get his head screwed on properly and escape the other complexities in his life --- an unfaithful wife, a blackmailing graduate student, and a retarded son. On an enraptured Greek island his life takes a drastic turn from a scientifically disciplined one towards a life of seeming abandonment. Licentiousness of every variety confront him, and bizarre entanglements with incarnated Muses and the Greek philosophers, Pythagoras and Plato, propel him to a new sense of reality, one that mitigates his concepts of the GH. Meanwhile, back home his laboratory staff untangle the mysteries of the Green Helix, and when he returns, refreshed from the discovery of his Greek roots, his life takes another turn towards a transforming philosophical stance. An astute reader will see that the story's plot follows closely the ideas and philosophies expounded by Plato in his Dialogue, THE PHAEDRUS. The author is a Professor of Cell Biology and a dedicated proponent of the unity of the Humanities and Science. These two realms of philosophy are not mutually exclusive and the novel's plot aims to show how achievable that unity is.
About the Author: The author, living in the great state of Texas, several years ago hit a brick wall in his scientific research. Looking for an escape he traveled to the Greek islands where he discovered that cold scientific data were insufficient. Instead, he began to explore ancient philosophies and the beauty around him, and lo and behold, it dawned on him that mysticism in the form of Platonic Ideals could play a role in his quest for meaning in his life. Refreshed with these new insights, he returned to his laboratory with new experimental designs. More importantly, his life expanded when he found true Platonic Love. He returns to the islands frequently for re-nourishment. And writes novels about those trips, this being the second one.