Modeling Love Dynamics (World Scientific Series on Nonlinear Science Series A): 89 - Hardcover

Sergio Rinaldi; Fabio Della Rossa; Fabio Dercole; Alessandra Gragnani; Pietro Landi

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9814696315 ISBN 13: 9789814696319

Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company, 2015

Synopsis

This book shows, for the very first time, how love stories — a vital issue in our lives — can be tentatively described with classical mathematics. Focus is on the derivation and analysis of reliable models that allow one to formally describe the expected evolution of love affairs from the initial state of indifference to the final romantic regime. The models are in full agreement with the basic philosophical principles of love psychology. Eight chapters are theoretically oriented and discuss the romantic relationships between important classes of individuals identified by particular psychological traits. The remaining chapters are devoted to case studies described in classical poems or in worldwide famous films.

About this title

Review:

It was certainly not an easy task to write for applied mathematicians and for sociologists and psychologists at the same time, but the authors succeeded in satisfying both sides of the spectrum. The result is a well organized and easily understandable book that I read with great pleasure, not only because of its content but also for its wonderful outlay. A series of pictures showing famous heroes and interesting stories illustrate love affairs in a nice manner. --Gustav Feichtinger, University of Technology, Vienna

In many respects the book evolves around the two most powerful products of the human mind: art and science. Clearly, the arts are superior when it comes to capturing the depth of love affairs. Yet, the bare bones of the drivers of stable love, transient affairs and neurotic dynamics are captured powerfully by the disarmingly simple math. What topic would be better suited to seduce a broad audience to play with equations? --A View from the Bridge: Nature's Books and Arts Blog

The appendix deserves a special mention. It is a clear, quick and complete overview of the state of the art of bifurcation theory, easily understandable for any reader with basic knowledge of differential equations. The original approach makes the book a great source of examples for anyone interested in dynamical systems theory and public awareness of mathematics. This book is a must have for those interested in the links between mathematics and the humanities. --Pablo Rodriguez-Sanchez, Wageningen University, The Netherlands

About the Author:

Fabio Dercole is assistant professor at Politecnico di Milano, in Milan, Italy.

Sergio Rinaldi is professor of system theory at Politecnico di Milano and holds an appointment with the IIASA Evolution and Ecology Program. He is the coauthor of Positive Linear Systems: Theory and Applications and Modeling and Control of River Quality, among other volumes.

About this edition

• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 9814696315
• ISBN 13: 9789814696319
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256