Things a Computer Scientist Rarely Talks About (Volume 136) (Lecture Notes) - Softcover

Knuth, Donald E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 157586326X ISBN 13: 9781575863269

Publisher: Center for the Study of Language and Inf, 2003

Synopsis

How does a computer scientist understand infinity? What can probability theory teach us about free will? Can mathematical notions be used to enhance one's personal understanding of the Bible?

Perhaps no one is more qualified to address these questions than Donald E. Knuth, whose massive contributions to computing have led others to nickname him "The Father of Computer Science"—and whose religious faith led him to understand a fascinating analysis of the Bible called the 3:16 project. In this series of six spirited, informal lectures, Knuth explores the relationships between his vocation and his faith, revealing the unique perspective that his work with computing has lent to his understanding of God.

His starting point is the 3:16 project, an application of mathematical "random sampling" to the books of the Bible. The first lectures tell the story of the project's conception and execution, exploring its many dimensions of language translation, aesthetics, and theological history. Along the way, Knuth explains the many insights he gained from such interdisciplinary work. These theological musings culminate in a surprising final lecture tackling the ideas of infinity, free will, and some of the other big questions that lie at the juncture of theology and computation.

Things a Computer Scientist Rarely Talks About, with its charming and user-friendly format—each lecture ends with a question and answer exchange, and the book itself contains more than 100 illustrations—is a readable and intriguing approach to a crucial topic, certain to edify both those who are serious and curious about their faiths and those who look at the science of computation and wonder what it might teach them about their spiritual world.

Includes "Creativity, Spirituality, and Computer Science," a panel discussion featuring Harry Lewis, Guy L. Steele, Jr., Manuela Veloso, Donald E. Knuth, and Mitch Kapor.

About this title

About the Author

Donald E. Knuth is a Professor Emeritus of The Art of Computer Programming at Stanford University and author of The Art of Computer Programming. These lectures were originally presented at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and broadcast live on the Internet.

From Library Journal

In a series of six lectures delivered at MIT from October 6 to December 8, 2001, Knuth (The Art of Computer Programming), the "father of computer science," ranges over topics from free will and divine design to aesthetics and the complexities of language translation. Yet the centerpiece of the lectures is Knuth's explanation of his earlier book, 3:16: Bible Texts Illuminated (1990), in which he examined the Bible by analyzing the third chapter and 16th verse of each book. In each lecture, Knuth explores various aspects of that project, such as the ways that the random selection of "3:16" functions as a method for understanding the overall thematic threads of biblical meaning and exposes the intersections of faith and computer science. Knuth delivers each lecture in a breezy, informal style and follows up with a brief question-and-answer section. But the conclusions that he reaches are vague and simplistic, e.g., "the Bible verses I studied were constantly interesting and full of stimulation" and "God definitely wants people to be actively searching for better understanding of life's mysteries." If these lectures are any indication, readers will be grateful that religion is one of the things that computer scientists rarely talk about. In addition, since this book is simply a transcription of Knuth's lectures, it is recommended only for large academic libraries. Henry L. Carrigan Jr., Lancaster, PA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Center for the Study of Language and Inf
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 157586326X
• ISBN 13: 9781575863269
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 257