Thinking in Complexity: The Computational Dynamics of Matter, Mind, and Mankind

The theory of nonlinear complex systems has become a successful problem-solving approach in the natural sciences from laser physics, quantum chaos, and meteorology to computer simulations of cell growth in biology. It is now recognized that many of our social, ecological, and political problems are also of a global, complex, and nonlinear nature. One of the most exciting contemporary topics is the idea that even the human mind is governed largely by the nonlinear dynamics of complex systems. This text offers a wide-ranging but concise treatment and discusses, in a nontechnical language, the common framework behind these endeavours. Emphasis is given to the evolution of new structures in natural and cultural systems and we see clearly how the new integrative approach can give insights not available from traditional reductionistic methods. This revised edition also treats smart materials and artificial life.

From the reviews of the fourth edition:

THE INDUSTRIAL PHYSICIST:

"The science of complexity is likely to be among the most salient features of the 21st century, and Thinking in Complexity: Computational Dynamics of Matter, Mind, and Mankind is just as likely to be among the most popular introductions to the topic. Author Klaus Mainzer treats highly technical materials related to descriptions of complexity pervading science, engineering, and societal dynamics???and even ethics???with a lucidity that is sure to captivate physicists as well as the general public with a moderate scientific background. ??? Readers of this book will enjoy Mainzer??'s exposition, which is based on a tight coupling between classical and historical concepts from Plato and Aristotle to modern, mathematical and physical developments, including relativity, chaos, and quantum physics. Every chapter begins with a section designed to orient the reader to the perspective of philosophical developments through the ages pertinent to the topic at hand. Readers patient enough to read through the lines will be rewarded with occasional gems such as Mainzer??'s speculation on a possible correlation between a society??'s development of atomistic ideas and its possession of a phonetic alphabet. The author takes pains to point out essential differences between classical science and the science of complexity. ??? Thinking in Complexity is an outstandingly readable book."

"This book is ambitious, incredibly erudite wih 22 pages of references, and is indisputably clearly and beautifully illustrated. It is perfectly suited to a first course on the science of complexity." (Physicalia 2005, vol. 57, page 191-192)

"All-in-all, this highly recommended book is a wonderful resource for intuitive basic ideas in the need of rigorous formulation." (Albert A. Mullin, Zentralblatt MATH 2004, vol. 1046, page 5)

"???This is the fourth revised and slightly enlarged edition??? of what has been a bestseller since its first publication in 1994. ??? This book is ambitious, incredibly erudite with 22 pages of references, and is indisputably clearly and beautifully written and illustrated. It is perfectly suited to a first course on the science of complexity. Even beginners and young graduate students will have something to learn from this book." (Andr?? Hautot, Physicalia, Vol. 57 (3), 2005)

"Here is the fourth edition of a highly successful sequence of editions of this excellent book on complexity theory and its implications. ??? The major change from the three earlier editions is a shift of emphasis from the complex dynamics of matter, mind, and mankind towards the computational dynamics of mind, matter and mankind. ??? 100 pages of useful new material have been added to the book. All-in-all, this highly recommended book is a wonderful resource for intuitive basic ideas in the need of rigorous formulation." (Albert A. Mullin, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1046 (21), 2004)

"Readers of this book will enjoy Mainzer??'s exposition, which is based on a tight coupling between classical and historical concepts from Plato and Aristotle to modern, mathematical and physical developments ??? . Every chapter begins with a section designed to orient the reader to the perspective of philosophical developments through the ages pertinent to the topic at hand. ??? The author takes pains to point out essentialdifferences between classical science and the science of complexity. ??? Thinking in Complexity is an outstandingly readable book." (Anutosh Moitra, The Industrial Physicist, August/September, 2004)