Numerology: Or, What Pythagoras Wrought

by Underwood Dudley

Numerology is the delusion that numbers have power over events. It is a descendent of number mysticism, the belief the contemplation of numbers can give mystical and non-rational insights into life, the universe and everything. 2500 years ago, Pythagoras originated number mysticism, crediting certain numbers with characteristics, through numerology, is a more recent invention that allots numbers, hence characteristics, to individuals. Underwood Dudley outlines here the history of number mysticism and numerology and gives many examples, including biorhythyms, Bible-numberists, pyramidologists and a plethora of others. His message is that numbers do indeed have power, but over minds not events. This is the only book that exposes this particular human folly, and requires no mathematical background beyond knowledge of numbers.

Genres: Mathematics

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Pradeep · Rating 5 out of 5]

The excellent book

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Underwood Dudley is demonstrating his leadership in pointing out how some attempt to use mathematics to achieve their own irrational ends. In this book, he describes how numbers are often manipulated to find ways in which they can be used to prove causality or control. To those who really want or need it in their lives, there is always a way to discover that a particular number is a cause of their grief. While this powerful, irrational side of the human species is fascinating to read about, it is also very sad.
The mindset of the personalities described in this book is summed up in the quote on page 1. “… the heavy-handed rough-and-tumble bully 8, or the sinister 64 or the arrogant, smug, self-satisfied 36 . . . ingenious, adventurous 26, the magic, versatile 7, or the helpful 37, the fatherly, reliable(if somewhat stodgy) 76 . . . “ Assigning human characteristics to numbers is strongly reminiscent of the ancient humans believing that their Gods were “blessed” with the full range of human strengths and weaknesses. From this start, Dudley debunks the assigning of any characteristics to numbers beyond those that they possess as mathematical objects. Taking the strongest possible position against numeric nonsense, he rightly points out that it is the duty of all rational people to do the same.
And the irrationality described here is more widespread than one might think. This reviewer knows someone teaching at a local college who once told him, “Why do you waste your time writing commercial software and solving math problems when you could write a program to predict lottery numbers and make a fortune?” After ten minutes of patiently explaining how such predictions are impossible, I failed to pierce any layers of belief. That person is no longer my friend.
Now, when confronting someone with such beliefs, I use the airliner problem. The question posed is a simple one. “When getting on a plane, would you rather have it controlled by numbers that have been exhaustively tested in real conditions or chosen because someone finds them attractive for other reasons?” No one has ever chosen the latter. Pointing out that when there are serious consequences, irrational beliefs are remarkably fragile.
I implore everyone to read this book and take a stand with Underwood Dudley opposing numerology. Point out to everyone that using numbers correctly is a very serious matter with major consequences for us all. But be prepared to lose friends and make enemies

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission and this review appears on Amazon.

[Rana · Rating 1 out of 5]

compelling info but the narrator is reminiscent of "the Amazing Atheist "