On the Brink of Paradox: Highlights from the Intersection of Philosophy and Mathematics
Language: English
Published by The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 2019
- First Edition
- Hardcover
- Used
Seller: Montana Book Company, Fond du Lac, WI, U.S.A.Montana Book Company
AbeBooks seller since June 6, 2002
Condition: Used - Near fine
£ 20.20
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
302 pp. Tightly bound. Corners not bumped. Text is free of markings. No ownership markings. Published without dust jacket. No remainder mark. First Edition / First Printing. 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1.
Seller Inventory # 085774
- Title
- On the Brink of Paradox: Highlights from the Intersection of Philosophy and Mathematics
- Author
- Rayo, Agustin
- Publisher
- The MIT Press, Cambridge, MA
- Publication year
- 2019
- Condition
- Near Fine
- Dust jacket
- Published Without Dust Jacket
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0262039419
- ISBN 13
- 9780262039413
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Printing
- 1st Printing
- Dimensions
- 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall
An introduction to awe-inspiring ideas at the brink of paradox: infinities of different sizes, time travel, probability and measure theory, and computability theory.
This book introduces the reader to awe-inspiring issues at the intersection of philosophy and mathematics. It explores ideas at the brink of paradox: infinities of different sizes, time travel, probability and measure theory, computability theory, the Grandfather Paradox, Newcomb's Problem, the Principle of Countable Additivity. The goal is to present some exceptionally beautiful ideas in enough detail to enable readers to understand the ideas themselves (rather than watered-down approximations), but without supplying so much detail that they abandon the effort. The philosophical content requires a mind attuned to subtlety; the most demanding of the mathematical ideas require familiarity with college-level mathematics or mathematical proof.
The book covers Cantor's revolutionary thinking about infinity,
which leads to the result that some infinities are bigger than others; time travel and free will, decision theory, probability, and the Banach-Tarski Theorem, which states that it is possible to decompose a ball into a finite number of pieces and reassemble the pieces so as to get two balls that are each the same size as the original. Its investigation of computability theory leads to a proof of Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem, which yields the amazing result that arithmetic is so complex that no computer could be programmed to output every arithmetical truth and no falsehood. Each chapter is followed by an appendix with answers to exercises. A list of recommended reading points readers to more advanced discussions. The book is based on a popular course (and MOOC) taught by the author at MIT.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Montana Book Company
Fond du Lac, WI, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since June 6, 2002
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 7 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 3.00 | £ 9.04 |
Payment methods
- Check
- Money Order
Specialty
Mathematics, Literature and Literary Criticism, Art and Architecture, Economics, Philosophy, Science, American History, University Press Books, European History, ReligionSeller's business information
Montana Book Company
WI, U.S.A.
Terms of sale
MasterCard, Visa and checks accepted. Preferred domestic shipping via USPS is $5.95 for Priority Mail plus $2.00 for each additional book. The average delivery time for Priority Mail is 3 days. Larger books can be shipped domestically via Media Mail at $3.99 plus $2.00 for each additional book. For books weighing 4 lbs or under most orders can be shipped internationally via Global Priority mail for $35.99 All books are returnable within 10 days.
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Montana Book Company, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, U.S.A., +1 920-933-5339, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Orders usually ship within 2 business days. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or over sized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.