Mind Tools The Five Levels of Mathematical Reality

Rucker, Rudy

ISBN 10: 0395383153 / ISBN 13: 9780395383155

Published by Oxford Iniversity Press, New York, 1987

About this Item

Rucker s book explores mathematics and reality from five points of view: number, space, logic, infinity and information. The strongest material in this book, in introducing higher concepts to the non-mathematician, is in "Logic" and covers Gödel, Chaitin s Theorem, Turing, and the taxonomy of infinities. Rucker was awarded the Philip K. Dick Award for his artificial intelligence novel, Software and he is a founder of the cyberpunk school of science fiction at San Jose State University. First printing with slight darkening to the edges of the dust jacket. 6½" - 9¼".

Seller Inventory # 278470

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Mind Tools The Five Levels of Mathematical Reality
• Publisher: Oxford Iniversity Press, New York
• Publication Date: 1987
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0395383153
• ISBN 13: 9780395383155
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First edition.
• Printing: First printing
• Condition: Near fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near fine
• Book Type: book

About this title

Synopsis

From mathematics and computers to insights into the workings of the human mind, Mind Tools is a reflection of the latest intelligence from the frontiers of mathematical thought. Illuminated by more than 100 drawings, Mind Tools connects mathematics to the world around us. It reveals that the great power of mathematics comes from the fact that it serves as an alternative language for understanding things -- from one's hand to the size of infinity. Exploring such concepts as digital versus analog processes, logic as a computing tool, and communication as information transmission, Rudy Rucker presents the "mind tools" for a postmodern age.

Reviews

Number, space, logic, infinitythese basic patterns seem to reflect essential features of our minds and of the world around us. By analyzing each of these building blocks from the standpoint of information (reduction of uncertainty), Rucker takes the uninitiated reader deep inside the world of modern mathematics. He moves from patterns in bathroom tiles to cellular automata or machines that can reproduce themselves. Sections cover the new science of fractals (fragmented, real-world shapes) and catastrophe theory, which deals with abrupt change. Mathematician David Hilbert's futile search for an all-encompassing mathematical system leads Rucker to navigate the shoals of symbolic logic, Godel's Incompleteness Theorem and Turing machines. The author's previous books include Infinity and the Mind and Software, science fiction about artificial intelligence.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

There have been many books written about mathematics for the nonmathematician. This one focuses on the most recent areas of mathematical research that are most closely related to the areas of computer science and artificial intelligence. Among the topics treated are fractals, logic, complexity, computability, and information theory. The subtlety of these fields requires the reader to bring a fairly solid background to the book. Rucker makes a good try at making these ideas simple and intuitive but some sections remain conceptually very difficult. On balance, this is a good book about modern mathematics for the informed reader willing to put in some mental effort. Harold D. Shane, Mathematics Dept., Baruch Coll., CUNY
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.