The Dreams of Reason: The Computer and the Rise of the Sciences of Complexity

by Heinz R. Pagels

Book Overview

Just as the telescope opened up the universe and the microscope revealed the secrets of the microcosm, the computer is now opening an exciting new window on the nature of reality. Through its capacity to process what is too complex for the unaided mind, the computer enables us for the first time to simulate reality, create models of complex systems like large molecules, chaotic systems, neural nets, the human body and brain, and patterns of evolution...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553347101
• ISBN13: 9780553347104
• Release Date: June 1989
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Length: 356 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Sophisticated, enlightening

If I had to choose one word to describe this book it would undoubtedly be "elegant". Pagels writes about a subject that few of us consider for longer that a few seconds. And it is an important one in that it seems to counter everything most humans apparently seek - perfect order.The subject is chaos, complexity and the realization that life cannot be compartmentalized, defined, divided into neat little sections - an idea to which we all adhere one way or another. The introduction of the computer has cast a new, enormous wrinkle into the mix. For the first time we can simulate reality (indeed, life itself down to the cellular structure) and make predictions of complex phenomena.He also espouses something quite original in his dicussion of that ancient brain vs mind question. He believes that until the mind is understood on a PHYSICAL basis it is useless to make conjectures on mental or even philosophical bases. Other subjects - consciousness, linear approaches, and even a historical analysis of the meaning of science - perhaps one of the best discussion in the entire book. His remarks on the great Karl Popper and how his works revolutionized the approach to the science world is worth the price of the book alone.The last chapter on historical scientific creativity is a gem that should be required reading for every high school senior.Get this book now.

Best book I've ever read

Indeed this is the best book I've ever read. The ideas discussed in this book have never been better described or explained by any other author I have read. I keep this book with me very often and I am constantly going through it highlighting and writing in my own thoughts. It is written in a way that it does not bring a bias until all sides are presented well and in detail. If you are a philosophy buff like me and you haven't read this you either can't find it or can't read. buy it buy it buy it.

Thoughtful and stimulating

Although this book wasn't published yesterday it is worth buying used. Of particular interest is the chapter entitled "Waiting for the Messiah" which does a wonderful job of addressing the nature of consciousness.

Good read. Neat.

This is a nicely written book. I read it a while ago but this one makes you think and reconsider what you believed. The late, Pagels, (yes, he expired on a mountain climbing expedition), is actually a physicist and like some other physicists, gives a philosophical touch to the issues. Its alot of fun reading him coz he doesnt just blabber but has put his thoughts in a very neat manner. His 'cosmic code' is also a good one. Quoting something from this one (this is actually his friends' reflections) "there are some things in the universe that man was never meant to know".