Book Description
A classic overview of the science of complexity from the prestigious Santa Fe Institute.
There has been a remarkable growth in collaborative academic research focused on complexity in recent years. One of the greatest challenges is to discover which features are essential and which shared by all the seemingly disparate systems that are described as complex. This book describes current views on this subject held by various eminent scholars associated with the Santa Fe Institute, including Murray Gell-Mann, Brian Arthur, Stuart Kauffman, John Holland, and Kenneth Arrow.
Customer Reviews:
Well...SOMEONE didn't get invited to an SFI conference..........2006-02-13
This is groundbreaking (and clearly very controversial) work. Read the review below: this stuff gets a rise out of people. Anyone wanting to become familiar with original, seminal studies from the complexity science movement will want this book.
I laughed, I cried..........2002-04-07
Well...where to begin without going further back?
This book is a compendium of papers, most from members of the Sante Fe institute. That is, the papers are by the self-proclaimed "experts" in the field of complex adaptive systems (complexity as it is termed by some). Although published in 1999 it is mostly out of date as a reference but it stands as testament to something I think is more interesting than pure science.
What we have here is a prime example of how dogma (religion) begins and sadly, impedes any chance for progress. At this point, perhaps I should suggest that anyone reading this who hasn't heard of Kuhn, Wittgenstein and Prigogine to go and read a bit. And then you need to understand that we have completed the whole genome-mapping fiasco and "discovered" something that goes against what the high gods of complexity, genetics and evolution have been preaching: we don't have more than 100,000 genomes we have 30,000.
Ok, now back to the book. The papers, as I stated, are out of date. All interesting results here are tied back to the "magic" number of 100,000 genomes. That is simply due to the fact that according to the diverstity of cells and specific proteins in our bodies combined with present theories we need that many. So one would think, right away, that any new theory that is "more correct" than the old ones would quickly point out this large discrepancy.
Well, no one did find this. Instead they just muddle around withsome nifty math and even more exciting computer simulations and then settle back to make pronouncements. And what bombastic statements the high priests of complexity pronounced! The best part of this book are the transcripts of discussions about the papers from the big names, notably Gell-Mann, Anderson and Kauffman.
One would think that a bit of reading in philosophy would really have helped this lot to see beyond their noses. That is, how can there be a "true science" (uttered by one during a discussion) when science is simply a compression of knowledge and the whole idea of "truth" implies more compression? This is laughable when your own theory says that you can never tell if something is optimally compressed (just read Chaitin and Kolmogorov); I ask again, how do you know you have a "true science"?
Yes, egos are rampant here and it is enough to make you alternately laugh and then cry now that we see how far off the mark the "science" is. There are slights on Freeman but really, Freeman has more "science" ("theory that matches observation" to quote Gell-Mann) than anyone in this collection. In fact, Anna Wise has more science in her books about brainwaves than this group.
Disappointed? You bet. I fail to see how winners of Nobel prizes and "Genius" awards could end up being so far off the mark. So in the end, I can only rate the intended content (science) as "2 stars" but the high comedy and drama make the historical content worth 5 out of 5. Enjoy it for that only!
Book Description
Hear the Voices of Ancient Wisdom in the Modern Language of Science
Ancient traditions, whose only claim to authenticity is that they are old, run the risk of becoming old-fashioned. But if an ancient tradition can claim to be not only ancient but also timeless and contemporary, it has a far greater chance of convincing each new, young generation of its value. Such a claim requires that each generation's retelling use the new metaphors of the new generation. —from Chapter 1
In our era, we often feel that we can either speak about God or think scientifically about the world, but never both at the same time. But what if we reconciled the two? How could the basic scientific truths of how the natural world came to be shape our understanding of our own spiritual search for meaning?
In this provocative fusion of religion and science, Rabbi David Nelson examines the great theories of modern physics to find new ways for contemporary people to express their spiritual beliefs and thoughts. Nelson explores cosmology, quantum mechanics, chaos theory, relativity, and string theory in clear, non-technical terms and recasts the traditional views of our ancestors in language that can be understood in a world in which space flight, atom-smashing, and black holes are common features of our metaphorical landscape.
Judaism, Physics and God reframes Judaism so that it is in harmony with the conquests of modern scientific thinking, and introduces fascinating new ways to understand your relationship with God in context of some of the most exciting scientific ideas of the contemporary world.
Customer Reviews:
Judaism, Physics and God: Searching for Sacred Metaphors in a Post-Einstein World.......2005-08-10
This book ranks in the top five books I have ever read! The author has taken the most complex ideas and theories and made them understandable to me. I have no science background, but I could understand what he said. For the first time in my life, I had an idea of what Einstein's theory of relativity is all about. I will refer over and over again to this book. It is one of the best I have read on such complex things.
Presented to be as accessible as possible to the lay reader.......2005-06-06
Judaism, Physics And God: Searching For Sacred Metaphors In A Post-Ein-stein World strives to answer the question, "If we can't see it or prove it, how can we believe it?" Leading the reader on a journey through both the ideas of modern physics and the ancient teachings of rabbinic text, Judaism, Physics and God stresses that faith and scientific insight do not need to be mutually exclusive. Chapters explore cosmology and creation, quantum mechanics, Albert Enstein's theories of special relativity, general relativity and Jewish meaning, string theory, and integrating new metaphors and scientific awareness into traditional Jewish life. As meticulous in its research of sacred Judaic texts and philosophy as it is of modern physics, yet presented to be as accessible as possible to the lay reader striving to better understand complex concepts, Judaism, Physics And God is a welcome addition to religious debate and studies shelves. Highly recommended.
Presented to be as accessible as possible to the lay reader.......2005-06-06
Judaism, Physics And God: Searching For Sacred Metaphors In A Post-Ein-stein World strives to answer the question, "If we can't see it or prove it, how can we believe it?" Leading the reader on a journey through both the ideas of modern physics and the ancient teachings of rabbinic text, Judaism, Physics and God stresses that faith and scientific insight do not need to be mutually exclusive. Chapters explore cosmology and creation, quantum mechanics, Albert Enstein's theories of special relativity, general relativity and Jewish meaning, string theory, and integrating new metaphors and scientific awareness into traditional Jewish life. As meticulous in its research of sacred Judaic texts and philosophy as it is of modern physics, yet presented to be as accessible as possible to the lay reader striving to better understand complex concepts, Judaism, Physics And God is a welcome addition to religious debate and studies shelves. Highly recommended.
finding words.......2005-04-30
Judaism Physics and God
Searching for sacred metaphors in a post Einstein World
A shema:
"THE LORD OUR GOD; THE LORD IS A SINGULARITY." (Not one;-in fact God is the big bang.)
Well worth the read. Rabbi Nelson has a very user friendly style of writing. He is able to link traditional Jewish words and motifs with today's language (scientific mindsets) of atoms and particles. Rabbi Nelson has built a very strong bridge to show where there is linkage through the passionate creative use of language-metaphors. He has also taken it one step further to give texture and depth to everyday acts. By assuming all things began at the big bang; then knowing/thinking that we all began as star dust embodies everything with holiness.
Nelson also lays out the dark side/ challenges of new scientific insights. If nothing is knowable for certain, as quantum physics states, then an all knowing God becomes an open question. Maybe the really difficult answer is that God is not all knowing. The implication of that insight for man-God relations is hard.
My only regret about the book is that the books' section on String Theory. Nelson's continued efforts at finding metaphors that reconcile our traditional language and science limit him. I would have been interested in Rabbi Nelson working with String Theory as a new challenge to both cosmology and Judaism. The harmonics of String theory and the transcendent nature of God would have been an interesting discussion.
In his next book (using the quality of this book and predictability theory) I hope Rabbi Nelson is able to address the connection between modern neurological, bio-chemistry and God in a unified religious theory......
Will be referenced a thousand years from now.......2005-04-18
This is one of the most interesting and important books on Religion and philosophy that has been published since Einstein had to reconcile his discoveries with his beliefs.
Much of Judaism (and., by extension, Christianity) operates through the use of metaphors to bring us closer to God. God is described as a Shepard, as a King, as our Father, as our Rock, and as Light, just as a few examples. By definition, a metaphor illuminates but does not fully describe-- any of us can think of what aspects of a father we would ascribe to God, and what aspects of a father (growing old and dying) we would not ascribe to God.
At one level, Rabbi Nelson in this book asks what metaphors from physics- specifically post-Newtonian physics-- can we use to illuminate G-d? His metaphors are fascinating: to cite one example, he asks us to consider God as the Light. God is often described as "Light" in prayers. God is also described as timeless-- a thousand years is but an instant to God according to the Rabbis. Well, physics happens to describe Light as timeless as well- photons from the big bang haven't aged at all in the 15 or so billion years of it's existence.
That's the first level of the book, and by itself it is very fascinating. God as the Big Bang, God as Light, God as shaped like multi-dimensional manifolds used in string-theory. Rabbi Nelson is very careful to explain the physics at a very approachable and enjoyable level, perhaps he succeeds so well because like most of us he does not have an advanced science degree. Yet there is a deeper level to this book as well: for Judaism, indeed for Western religion to remain relevant, it has to confront and grow along with our growing understanding of reality. This is the fundamental challenge that has been presented to Religion since the dawn of the Age of Reason. Rabbi Nelson takes on the challenge --- not by attempting to prove or disprove the existence of God, but by attempting to understand God through our growing knowledge of the universe.
You do not have to agree with Rabbi Nelson's personal beliefs to learn from this book-- there's plenty here for everyone from the confirmed atheist to the most Orthodox believer. Furthermore, he sets up a framework that can--and most likely will--be used by others for generations to come. I fully believe that this book will be referenced generations from now, if not beyond.
Average customer rating:
- Outstanding book, should have 6 stars!
- Excellent discussion of limitations of scientific metaphors
- The irony is truly tragic
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Physics As Metaphor
Roger S. Jones
Manufacturer: Univ of Minnesota Pr
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Physics For the Rest of Us
ASIN: 0816619166 |
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding book, should have 6 stars!.......2006-10-28
This is by far the best book about the connection between physics and the humanistic point of view. This book made a huge impact on how I am looking at the world around us. No comparison with Tao of physics or any other "bestsellers" on that subject. Cannot believe it's out of print!
Excellent discussion of limitations of scientific metaphors.......2001-03-12
"Physics As Metaphor" is perhaps the best book I've read by a scientist who has realized that science has usurped our notion of reality to such an extent that most of us, but especially scientists themselves, have forgotten the essential truth that the tools science uses are only metaphors of reality, man-made systems designed to bring order and understanding to the world. Yet as Prof. Jones shows in a very readable fashion, we must not only not confuse these metaphors with reality itself, we need to understand that the metaphors are in many ways hindering us from perceiving the deeper unities in all things, as certain ancient races understood and Native American cultures still preach today. These are unities not only among humans and with the cosmos, but also the ties among overly specialized academic displines, such as the hard sciences, psychology, and religion.
For those who have read other anti-scientism tracts the above surely sounds familiar, but "Physics As Metaphor" demonstrates in precise, readable, logical terms why the four cardinal metaphors of physics, number, space, time, and measure, are only human, self-referential devices. Rather than trying to show the convergence of sub-atomic physics and mysticism, Prof. Jones takes a different tact and very insightfully also demonstrates that metaphors like space and measure actually cause us to separate ourselves from the deeper unity of the One. And no matter what science says about the meaningless of "its" universe, people are perenially searching for (deeper) meaning.
"Physics As Metaphor" borrows skillfully from the writings of other scientists and philosophers of science, like Barfield, Polyani, Poincare, Kuhn, and many others, and at the end of the book there is a comprehensive guide to the sources the author used to formulate the ideas in the book. Perhaps the most meaningful chapter in Jones's book is his discussion of our search for "absolute truth" in science as a form of escapism from facing our own mortality. Ernest Becker's book, "The Denial of Death," which I was "coincidentally" reading at the same time (and recently reviewed), is discussed in the context of how the four cardinal metaphors of physics are symbolic of the illusory struggle for eternal life and lasting significance.
The final chapters are the author's recommendations for teaching physics (science) as metaphor. Exercises are given which attempt to expand the awareness of the student, to see things from different apoints of view, to provide new metaphors.
The irony is truly tragic.......1999-12-24
At first glance, this book seems to come from the same stable as "The Tao Of Physics". On the one hand Roger Jones analyses basic scientific concepts as does Fritjof Capra in very simple terms and in an accessible language. This makes it a good book for the absolute beginner curious about the nature of this powerful and influential form of thought. The intention in this book is somewhat different from Capra's. The book is divided into two halves, separated by his basic metaphor which
curiously rebounds on him. "Science is based on the fear of death" he writes. It is the basic metaphor behind the scientific conception, a psychology of intent rarely admitted and simply stated. Given the objective flavour of the scientific method, this fear is carried in the substrata of the rational consciousness and never sees the light of day. Consequently, it is an unproven if unprovable hypothesis, and not one that serves the interests of science. Perhaps that is why we hear so little about it. However, Mr Jones as author of the statement proceeds in an intuitive rather than conscious manner to underpin his view. In the first half of the book, he reflects upon the self-referential circularity of basic concepts employed by science. At the same time, there occur a number of coincidences upon which Mr Jones remarks in the course of writing this book. Synchronicity is not the subject for discussion here, except to note that this is a common experience when one is engaged in activity of intrinsic value. In this book, it becomes an interesting bench-mark because the reader is quite literally able to see the exact point at which the author shifts his position to one of abject acceptance, and subjugates himself to the same fear of death metaphor which he has exposed here. As analytic as so many so-called a priori ideas in science prove to be, he comes upon one that he is unapologetically forced to accept., the principle of inertia as it is shaped by the basic laws of motion. Most people treat this idea as given and unquestionable, when it is in fact an assumption, based on an assumption. It is this principle that is the link to the fear of death as it is carried in science, even though Mr Jones never makes the connection, in spite of being the author. From this moment on, the synchronicities he observes take on a more dubious character, not realising that he is engineering them to drop out of his thinking. In the first half, they had the character of spontaneity about them which is lost in the latter half. It is this half that frames him as scientist above all, and this degeneration is quite visible through the terms of his own making. Consequently, this short book is quite remarkable for this insight alone, and should never be out of print as a lesson in what it means to become a scientist in terms of the way that it limits one's own perceptions of reality, if taken to be all-encompassing, when it is all the time built on shaky foundations and on a peculiar fear of what is inevitable.
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Einstein's Relativity in Metaphor and Mathematics
Enders A. Robinson
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall Trade
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ASIN: 0132464977 |
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Atoms, Metaphors and Paradoxes: Niels Bohr and the Construction of a New Physics
Sandro Petruccioli
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
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ASIN: 0521031885 |
Book Description
This book reexamines the birth of quantum mechanics, in particular examining the development of crucial and original insights of Bohr. In particular, it gives a detailed study of the development and the interpretation given to Bohr's Principle of Correspondence. It also describes the role that this principle played in guiding Bohr's research over the critical period from 1920 to 1927.
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Einstein's Wake: Relativity, Metaphor, and Modernist Literature
Michael H. Whitworth
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
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ASIN: 0198186401 |
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The revolution in literary form and aesthetic consciousness called modernism arose as the physical sciences were revising their most fundamental concepts: space, time, matter, and the concept of 'science' itself. The coincidence has often been remarked upon in general terms, but rarely considered in detail. Einstein's Wake argues that the interaction of modernism and the 'new physics' is best understood by reference to the metaphors which structured these developments. These metaphors, widely disseminated in the popular science writing of the period, provided a language with which modernist writers could articulate their responses to the experience of modernity. Beginning with influential aspects of nineteenth-century physics, Einstein's Wake qualifies the notion that Einstein alone was responsible for literary 'relativity'; it goes on to examine the fine detail of his legacy in literary appropriations of scientific metaphors, with particular attention to Virginia Woolf, D. H. Lawrence, Wyndham Lewis, and T. S. Eliot.
Book Description
1850. With illustrations on wood by the author. Vanity Fair is Thackeray's masterpiece, but he also showed great skill in writing historical fiction with fine attention to period manners and customs and a dispassionate sympathy for his character's actions. The History of Pendennis concerns a young man of moderate status and his pursuit of wealth and happiness who becomes distracted by women and partying when he should be studying at university. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.
Customer Reviews:
DO NOT BUY THIS EDITION.......2006-01-19
Although this **would** be a good edition of the novel, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BOOK CONTAINS ONLY VOLUME 2 (THE SECOND HALF OF THE NOVEL). VOLUME 1 IS NOT AVAILABLE. I have no explanation for this except that the publisher made a ridiculous error, and I cannot believe that no one has called them out on it. I and the rest of my graduate class have tried to contact the publisher to complain, but you cannot even get a hold of them. DO NOT BUY IF YOU WANT TO READ THE WHOLE BOOK!!!!!!!
Average customer rating:
- Fun and quite readable
- Everyone should read this book!
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The History of Pendennis: His Fortunes & Misfortunes, His Friends & His Greatest Enemy (The Penguin English Library)
William Makepeace Thackeray
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
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Binding: Paperback
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Thackeray, William Makepeace
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ASIN: 0140430768 |
Book Description
One of the earliest and greatest of the Victorian Bildungsroman, this introspective novel treats London's bohemian and literary underworld and the romantic entanglements of its hero, Arthur Pendennis, with comic and uninhibited style. Son of a selfless widow, Pendennis moves from one
disastrous romantic involvement to another on the fringes of the corrupt upper classes. Thackeray had slaved for ten years in this literary bohemia; the introduction considers the parallels between Thackeray's life and the novel, and examines the changes taking place in Victorian England throughout
the years of the story.
Customer Reviews:
Fun and quite readable.......2001-02-11
Most people know of only one book by Thackeray: his witty and savage masterpiece VANITY FAIR. PENDENNIS, perhaps his second-best book, is certainly no slouch itself: a funny, rollicking Bildungsroman, PENDENNIS chronicles the adventures of a loveable young man who almost always manages to get himself into trouble, and his tribulations with the several attractive women in his life (including his young mother). There are some definite slow patches to the work, but for the most part it moves almnost at a rip-roaring pace, and it has none of the overseriousness that mars Thackeray's later works (such as the fascinating, but slowpaced THE NEWCOMES). This is Victorian reading at its most pleasurable, if not its most intellectually challenging.
Everyone should read this book!.......1998-05-16
This is without a doubt one of the funniest and enjoyable novels I have ever read! Do not let the length of the book scare you, Thackeray's brilliant and unique style makes it an easy joy to read. I admit there are some lulls but overall PENDENNIS will earn an honored place on any bookshelf.
Book Description
Since that fatal but delightful night in Grosvenor place, Mr. Harry Foker’s heart had been in such a state of agitation as you would hardly have thought so great a philosopher could endure.
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The History of Pendennis His Fortunes and Misfortunes, His Friends, and His Greatest Enemy (Thackeray's Complete Works, The People's Edition with 325 Illustrations by the author, Du Maurier, Cruikshane, Leech, Millais, Barnard, and others, 1)
William Makepeace Thackery
Manufacturer: Estes and Lauriat
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Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: B000UJQFB4 |
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1850. With illustrations on wood by the author. Vanity Fair is Thackeray's masterpiece, but he also showed great skill in writing historical fiction with fine attention to period manners and customs and a dispassionate sympathy for his character's actions. The History of Pendennis concerns a young man of moderate status and his pursuit of wealth and happiness who becomes distracted by women and partying when he should be studying at university. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.
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The History of Pendennis, His Fortunes and Misfortunes, His Friends and His Greatest Enemy: Volume 3
William Makepeace Thackeray
Manufacturer: Adamant Media Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Thackeray, William Makepeace
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ASIN: 0543918823
Release Date: 2001-04-23 |
Book Description
This Elibron Classics book is a facsimile reprint of a 1850 edition by Bernhard Tauchnitz Jun., Leipzig.
Books:
- Contemporary College Physics, Third Edition, 2001 Update w/ updated CD-ROM
- CRC Standard Mathematical Tables and Formulae, 30th Edition
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- Diode Lasers and Photonic Integrated Circuits
- Dynamical Evolution of Globular Clusters
- Dynamics on Lorentz Manifolds
- Electrocrystallization: Fundamentals of Nucleation and Growth
- Elementary and Intermediate Algebra
- Energy and the Environment
- Energy, Force and Matter: The Conceptual Development of Nineteenth-Century Physics (Cambridge Studies in the History of Science)
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