The book includes fifteen essays and an interview. The essays are grouped in three parts: Mathematics; Mathematics and Physics; and Language, Consciousness, and Book reviews. Most of the essays are about some aspects of epistemology and the history of sciences, mainly mathematics, physics, and the history of language. English translations of some of the essays, originally published in Russian, appear for the first time in this selection. One of them is the introduction to the book Computable and Uncomputable, where the idea of a quantum computer was first proposed in 1980. Another is an essay on the mythological trickster figure, where the evolutionary role of manipulative behavior is discussed in connection with the problem of the origin of human language. With the foreword by Freeman Dyson, this book will be of interest to anyone interested in the philosophy and history of mathematics, physics, and linguistics.
Reihe
Sprache
Verlagsort
Zielgruppe
Für höhere Schule und Studium
Für Beruf und Forschung
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Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-0-8218-4331-4 (9780821843314)
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Schweitzer Klassifikation
Mathematical knowledge: Internal, social, and cultural aspects Part I. Mathematics as metaphor: Mathematics as metaphor Truth, rigour, and common sense Georg Cantor and his heritage Godel's theorem Introduction to the book Computable and uncomputable Mathematics as profession and vocation Part II. Mathematics and physics: Mathematics and physics Interrelations between mathematics and physics Reflections on arithmetical physics Part III. Language, consciousness, book reviews: The mythological trickster: A study in psychology and culture theory On early development of speech and consciousness (phylogeny) The empty city archetype Triangle of thoughts by A. Connes, A. Lichnerowicz, and M. P. Schutzenberger "It is still love"-The Siege by Clara Park "Good proofs are proofs that make us wiser"-Interview by Martin Aigner and Vasco A. Schmidt List of publications.
