The Language of Symmetry

by Benedict Rattigan (Editor), Denis Noble (Editor), Afiq Hatta (Editor)

The Language of Symmetry is a re-assessment of the structure and reach of symmetry, by an interdisciplinary group of specialists from the arts, humanities, and sciences at Oxford University. It explores, amongst other This book aims to open up the scope of interdisciplinary work in the study of symmetry and is intended for scholars of any background - whether it be science, arts, or philosophy.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Science

100 pages, Paperback

Published May 16, 2023

Reviews

[Setayesh Dashti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting series of essays about symmetry, order, and chaos in different aspects of the universe: planetary systems, entropy, group theory, music, biology, and dark matter. The chapter on darkness and light (and dark matter) was amazing: beautifully-written and insightful. I also really liked the last chapter on how living creatures use stochasticity in unexpected and potentially harmful environments to generate an unlimited number of DNA variations and come up with a useful one. The chapter on entropy and how the universe is not symmetric was also exciting. Unfortunately, the chapter on music was completely unreadable to me.

[Michael Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a LOT of jargon in this book.
I'm not going to pretend I understood any more than 40% of what they were writing about (dropping to maybe less than 10% for the chapter on music theory), but what I did get was intriguing.
Symmetry as the primary principle of the universe? It's definitely a bold thought. Coming from psychotherapy, the obvious association there would be the concept of homeostasis.
I'll probably re-read this when I'm older.

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always interested in Noble's ideas on biology, book gives some motivations on how disorder and order are utilized in other fields as well.