The sciences and humanities are often imagined as two entirely distinct fields with little overlap. In this book, Gordon Gillespie weaves together historical anecdotes, philosophical arguments, and scientific explanations to demonstrate how mathematics is the bridge that connects them. Gillespie constructs this case through a careful selection of thought-provoking vignettes that illustrate foundational topics, such as counting and geometry, as well as the philosophical ideas behind concepts like infinity. As the chapters progress, Gillespie gradually deconstructs the historical understanding of mathematics as a purely abstract discipline. In its place, readers will instead see it for what it really is: not the drudgery of uncreative number crunchers, but a unique art of thinking that builds intricate ideas from elementary notions deeply rooted in our everyday lives. Whether these ideas come from Special Relativity or the well-known story about Achilles and the tortoise, The Oracle of Numbers shows how mathematics operates across disciplines and opens up unique perspectives on the world and ourselves.
Reviews of the German edition:
"Gordon Gillespie captivates the reader with a very unique approach. What is impressive about Gillespie's book, apart from the wealth of examples, is his talent for clearly explaining abstract relationships. Here one learns that exact standards of reasoning and creative thinking are not mutually exclusive." Andr?Behr, Neue Zcher Zeitung am Sonntag
"In his popular non-fiction book, the author succeeds in presenting key mathematical concepts in a way that can be understood even by those with no background in mathematics. Conclusion: Gordon Gillespie's The Oracle of Numbers is a very good and entertaining introduction to the philosophy of mathematics." Marcel Remme, Zeitschrift f Didaktik der Philosophie und Ethik
"The author has written a highly demanding work. [The reader] must be prepared to think deeply [...] but it is worth it: the confrontation leads [...] to a productive questioning and enrichment of one's own perspective and way of thinking." Hartmut Weber, Spektrum der Wissenschaft外文書商品之書封，為出版社提供之樣本。實際出貨商品，以出版社所提供之現有版本為主。部份書籍，因出版社供應狀況特殊，匯率將依實際狀況做調整。
無庫存之商品，在您完成訂單程序之後，將以空運的方式為你下單調貨。為了縮短等待的時間，建議您將外文書與其他商品分開下單，以獲得最快的取貨速度，平均調貨時間為1~2個月。
為了保護您的權益，「三民網路書店」提供會員七日商品鑑賞期(收到商品為起始日)。
若要辦理退貨，請在商品鑑賞期內寄回，且商品必須是全新狀態與完整包裝(商品、附件、發票、隨貨贈品等)否則恕不接受退貨。
