Randomnicity: Rules And Randomness In The Realm Of The Infinite - Softcover

Tsonis, Anastasios A

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1848162057 ISBN 13: 9781848162051

Publisher: Icp, 2008

Synopsis

This unique book explores the definition, sources and role of randomness. A joyful discussion with many non-mathematical and mathematical examples leads to the identification of three sources of randomness: randomness due to irreversibility which inhibits us from extracting whatever rules may underlie a process, randomness due to our inability to have infinite power (chaos), and randomness due to many interacting systems. Here, all sources are found to have something in common: infinity. The discussion then moves to the physical system (our universe). Through the quantum mechanical character of small scales, the second law of thermodynamics and chaos, randomness is shown to be an intrinsic property of nature -- this is consistent with the three sources of randomness identified above. Finally, an explanation is given as to why rules and randomness cannot exist by themselves, but instead have to coexist. Many examples are presented, ranging from pure mathematical to natural and social processes, that clearly demonstrate how the combination of rules and randomness produces the world we live in.

Edition details

• Publisher: Icp
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1848162057
• ISBN 13: 9781848162051
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 204