Infinity and the mind

Infinity and the mind : the science and philosophy of the infinite / Rudy Rucker.—Princeton : Princeton University Press, 2005.

xx, 342 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.

(Princeton Science Library)

“Originally published by Birkhäuserin 1982”

“Expanded Princeton Science Library edition with a new preface by the author, 2005”

ISBN: 9780691121277

1. Infinite. 2. Logic, Symbolic and mathematical. 3. Set theory.

511.3

In the 1981 preface Rucker writes, “This book discusses every kind of infinity: potential and actual, mathematical and physical, the ontological and the mundane.” The main line of argument is mathematical. Rucker uses physics, philosophy and theology as illustrations and examples of mathematical concepts. He also uses mathematical formulas, diagrams and cartoon to illustrate concepts in other disciplines. The five chapters all conclude with a collection of puzzles and paradoxes. This assumes that if the reader has followed and understood the concepts so far you have another chance to exhaust your reasoning powers on these, because with infinities there are things that cannot be logically, mathematically or scientifically described fully. Rucker argues that many of the ideas about infinity are not rationally and deductive, but mystical an intuitive. This makes a book that is an active and entertaining mental wrestling match. It also makes it a stimulating, thought provoking, and potentially mind expanding read.