THE LIMITS OF MATHEMATICS. A Course on Information Theory and the Limits of Formal Reasoning.

Chaitin, Gregory J.

ISBN 10: 981308359X / ISBN 13: 9789813083592

Published by Singapore: Springer 1998., 1997

About this Item

VG, unmarked Hardback; DJ-VG. ix + 148 pp.

Seller Inventory # 031906

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE LIMITS OF MATHEMATICS. A Course on Information Theory and the Limits of Formal Reasoning.
• Publisher: Singapore: Springer 1998.
• Publication Date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 981308359X
• ISBN 13: 9789813083592
• Binding: Hardcover
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included

About this title

Synopsis

This text is the final version of a course on algorithmic information theory and the epistemology of mathematics and physics. It discusses Einstein and Goedel's views on the nature of mathematics in the light of information theory, and sustains the thesis that mathematics is quasi-empirical. The book presents a "hands on" didatic approach using LISP and Mathematica software, and the reader should be able to derive an understanding of the close relationship between mathematics and physics.

Review

"...a very personal and idiosyncratic account of Greg Chaitins entire career in developing algorithmic information theory. The combination of the edited transcripts of his three introductory lectures maintains all the energy and content of the oral presentations, while the material on AIT itself gives a full explanation of how to implement Gregs ideas on real computers ..." John Casti, Santa Fe Institute