Marcus du sautoy, professor of mathematics at the university of oxford. Jul 29, 2010 this is a 4 minute clip from an mit lecture introducing the central theme of douglas r. The book describes and defines the concept of recursion, and discusses its applications in computer science, consciousness, art, music, biology and various other. It is also central to two classics of cognitive science. Bach, the graphic art of escher and the mathematical theorems of godel, as well as ideas drawn from logic, biology, psychology, physics and linguistics, douglas hofstadter illuminates one of the greatest mysteries of. Best books on the encounter of spirituality and science. The first edition of the novel was published in 1979, and was written by douglas r.
Douglas r hofstadter winner of the pulitzer prize, this book applies godels seminal contribution to modern mathematics to the study of the human mind and the development of artificial intelligence. Jan, 2016 it is also central to two classics of cognitive science. By exploring common themes in the lives and works of logician kurt godel, artist m. An eternal golden braid is still something of a marvel. Its a venerated book among a certain stripe of computer scientist and mathematician, and its reputed to have inspired generations of people to pursue the study of logic and artificial intelligence. Winner of the pulitzer prize in general nonfiction winner of the national book award in science every few decades an unknown author brings. Douglas richard hofstadter is an american scholar of cognitive science, physics, and comparative literature whose research focuses on consciousness, thinking and creativity. This book is pure genius, it was like watching one of those christopher nolans movie. An eternal golden braid it is an inherent property of intelligence that it can jump out of the task which it is performing, and survey what it has done.
S ince 1979, golden braid bookstore has been widely known as a resource for personal journey and selfdiscovery. Winner of the pulitzer prizea metaphorical fugue on minds and machines in the spirit of lewis carrolldouglas hofstadters book is concerned directly with the nature of maps or links between formal systems. However, according to hofstadter, the formal system. Besides being a profound and entertaining meditation on human thought and creativity, this book looks at the surprising points of contact between the music of bach, the artwork of escher, and the. Hofstadter 1980 a fascinating book that explains the fundamental problems in the research of consciousness and artificial intelligence. Synopsis this groundbreaking pulitzer prizewinning book sets the standard for interdisciplinary writing, exploring the patterns and symbols in the thinking of mathematician kurt godel, artist m. An eternal golden braid is the subtitle for hofstadters book and became the name for the concert we staged at the barbican exploring musical strange loops from bachs musical offering to robert thomass exciting new composition.
The emperors new mind by roger penrose and godel, escher, bach. Godel, escher, bach paperback an eternal golden braid. Offerings include gifts and books for feeding the mind, body, spirit, soul, and heart. Why i dont love godel, escher, bach infinite negative utility. Twenty years after it topped the bestseller charts, douglas r. What is a self, and how can a self come out of inaminate matter. Douglas hofstadters book is concerned directly with the nat.
Introduction to godel, escher, bach lecture youtube. Plan your journey and find more route information in your visit or book your car parking space in advance. Commonweal godel, escher, bach was a triumphantly successful presentation of quite difficult concepts for a popular audience. The man who would teach machines to think the atlantic. No wonder nolan himself was inspired from some of the. An eternal golden braid 20th anniversary edition with a new preface by the author 20anniversary ed by hofstadter, douglas r isbn.
His works are then fed through a machine learning process created by computational artist parag k mital, which uses the data in bachs writing to compose a piece of. An eternal golden braid is a classic text thats had a strong influence on countless people. Jan 12, 20 the book also mentions the second story again, that im aware of inspired by the original, the defense of hill 781 by james r. Mcdonough, disparaging it as being no longer useful to todays army. The show is part of an ongoing project called strange loops which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the intellectual cult classic godel, escher, bach. However, according to hofstadter, the formal system that underlies all mental activity transcends the system that supports it. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. An eternal golden braid winner, national book awards 1980 for science hardcover.
Douglas hofstadter s book is concerned directly with the nature of maps or links between formal systems. A true sanctuary for conscious living in the city, golden braid books offers a wide assortment of products. An eternal golden braid 1979 history edit pdf epub bib created. For the general reader and the computer techie alike, this book still sets a standard.
Godel, escher, bach is a great examination of spellbinding contemplations at the center of mental science. Escher, and composer johann sebastian bach, the book expounds concepts fundamental to mathematics, symmetry, and intelligence. This is a 4 minute clip from an mit lecture introducing the central theme of douglas r. A wondrous book that unites and explains, in a very entertaining way, many of the important ideas of recent intellectual history. Nov 22, 20 twenty years after it topped the bestseller charts, douglas r. Each chapter starts out with dialog between the tortoise and achilles, getting harder and harder till it ends with mathematics that most readers will not. If life can grow out of the formal chemical substrate of the. Hofstadter, 9780465026562, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. This is the biggest one ive read and i think it will remain so for many years to come.
In the emperors new mind, mathematician and theoretical physicist roger penrose argues that the human mind transcends the limits of formal logic imposed by godels theorem. Godel, escher, bach is a wonderful exploration of fascinating ideas at the heart of cognitive science. An eternal golden braid pdf is still a miracle today, although it has been on the bestseller list for more than 20 years. The book also mentions the second story again, that im aware of inspired by the original, the defense of hill 781 by james r.
Since 1979, golden braid bookstore has been widely known as a resource for personal journey and selfdiscovery. An eternal golden braid from the worlds largest community of readers. However, according to hofstadter, the formal system that underlies all. Besides being a profound and entertaining meditation on human thought and creativity, this book looks at the surprising points of contact between the music of bach, the artwork of escher. Winner of the pulitzer prizea metaphorical fugue on minds and machines in the spirit of lewis carrolldouglas hofstadters book is concerned directly with the. If life can grow out of the formal chemical substrate. The main characters of this science, non fiction story are. Godel escher bach at the barbican in london marcus du sautoy performed just such a test, using the audience as judges. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 822 pages and is available in paperback format. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Mar 12, 2020 godel, escher, bach is a wonderful exploration of fascinating ideas at the heart of cognitive science. An eternal golden braid, also known as geb, is a 1979 book by douglas hofstadter. An eternal golden braid isbn 9780465026562 isbn 0465026567 including delivery cost and availability.
An eternal golden braid, which would earn for hofstadteronly 35 years old, and a. Hofstadter is the son of nobel prizewinning douglas richard hofstadter is an american scholar of cognitive science, physics, and comparative literature whose research. This is the biggest one ive read and i think it will. Hofstadter and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. This is the riddle that drove hofstadter to write this extraordinary book.
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