Beyond Reason: Eight Great Problems That Reveal the Limits of Science

by A.K. Dewdney

A mind-bending excursion to the limits of science and mathematics
Are some scientific problems insoluble? In Beyond Reason, internationally acclaimed math and science author A. K. Dewdney answers this question by examining eight insurmountable mathematical and scientific roadblocks that have stumped thinkers across the centuries, from ancient mathematical conundrums such as "squaring the circle," first attempted by the Pythagoreans, to G?del's vexing theorem, from perpetual motion to the upredictable behavior of chaotic systems such as the weather.
A. K. Dewdney, PhD (Ontario, Canada), was the author of Scientific American's "Computer Recreations" column for eight years. He has written several critically acclaimed popular math and science books, including A Mathematical Mystery Tour (0-471-40734-8); Yes, We Have No Neutrons (0-471-29586-8); and 200% of Nothing (0-471-14574-2).

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Mathematics

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Alexander Keewatin (A.K.) Dewdney is a professor of computer science at the University of Western Ontario, a mathematician, environmental scientist, and author of books on diverse subjects.

Wanderers of cyberspace may discover something about my life as a mathematician and computer scientist, environmental scientist, conservationist, and author of books and articles.

The name "Keewatin" is an Ojibway word meaning "north wind."
The name ":Dewdney" is from the French/Jewish name, "Dieudonne."

Reviews

[Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understood the first two-fifths of the book (hence two out of five stars), but completely lost him from that point forward. I suppose I grasp the cosmos and quantum theories much better than I do elevated theoretical mathematical concepts. No matter, wanting to know this stuff is almost as joyous an experience as knowing this stuff. One day it'll stick. The author does a poor job, I have to say, of successfully explaining anything to an uninitiated layman. He explained statistics in a much more teacherly manner in his 200% book. My mind expanded anyway and I enjoyed. Not recommended for non-dorks.

[Awab Al-Rawe · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book had excellent expirements and problems but was very theoretical and scientific without much practical application.

[Roger B · Rating 4 out of 5]

High level survey of some interesting topics on the edge of math and science. best chapters were the ones on Goedel and on Quantum measurements. Accessible read despite some very complex ideas. So much we do not understand.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dewdney does such a beautiful job of explaining scientific principles and philosophy that my heart broke when I found out one of the great tamers of pseudoscience became a '9/11 truther.'

[Maurizio Codogno · Rating 4 out of 5]

La mia recensione: http://xmau.com/notiziole/archives/00...

[Federico Kereki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but several typos!