
Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter is a monumental work that delves into the interconnectedness of mathematics, art, music, and philosophy. The book navigates through complex topics such as self-reference, formal systems, and consciousness, drawing analogies between different fields to explore the essence of human intellect and creativity. Through a series of dialogues, the author weaves together the works of Gödel, Escher, and Bach to create a thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating narrative.
Hofstadter's writing style is described as witty, erudite, and engaging, making even challenging subjects accessible to readers. The book is a fusion of various disciplines, offering a unique perspective on intelligence, patterns, and the nature of reality. With a blend of humor, deep insights, and intricate explorations, the book takes readers on a journey that challenges their thinking and perception of the world around them.
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From The Publisher:
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize
A metaphorical fugue on minds and machines in the spirit of Lewis Carroll
Douglas Hofstadter's book is concerned directly with the nature of "maps" or links between formal systems. However, according to Hofstadter, the formal system that underlies all mental activity transcends the system that supports it. If life can grow out of the formal chemical substrate of the cell, if consciousness can emerge out of a formal system of firing neurons, then so too will computers attain human intelligence. Gödel, Escher, Bach is a wonderful exploration of fascinating ideas at the heart of cognitive science: meaning, reduction, recursion, and much more.
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1 comment(s)
Amazing.
About the Author:
Douglas R. Hofstadter is College of Arts and Sciences Professor of Cognitive Science and Computer Science at Indiana University, Bloomington, where he also directs the Center for Research on Concepts and Cognition. He is the author or co-author of nine books, including I Am a Strange Loop and Surfaces and Essences, and has contributed to ten more. He lives in Bloomington.
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