Reflections: The Magic, Music And Mathematics Of Raymond Smullyan

Reflections: The Magic, Music And Mathematics Of Raymond Smullyan
by: Raymond M Smullyan (Author)
Publisher:Wspc
Edition:1st
Publication Date: 8 April 2015
Language:English
Print Length:224 pages
ISBN-10:9814663190
ISBN-13:9789814663199
Book Description
“We read of Smullyan’s recollections of incidents in his past that support the images of a man who enjoys logic, music, mathematics, puns etc. If you have enjoyed any of Smullyan’s books and wish to know more about the author, you will enjoy this breezy set of reflections as well.” Mathematical Association of America This is an exciting if not rambling account of events of Raymond Smullyan’s four lives – as a mathematical logician, musician, magician, and author – together with thoughts that come to his mind as he recalls them. This book includes topics from some of Smullyan’s twenty-six books, as well as many of his favorite anecdotes and jokes. It also presents some generalizations of theorems of the great logicians Gödel and Tarski, and discusses logic in general, and how he won his wife with a logic trick! Smullyan also relates some of his teaching experiences, and expresses his views on mathematical education, and how our present textbooks are primarily responsible for its decline! About his life as a pianist, Smullyan relates a good deal about his experiences with the Piano Society – a wonderful organization to which he is a staunch contributor, and how he has had such delightful relations with many of its members. Last but not least, Smullyan recounts how he has known some lovely ladies over the years.
About the Author
Review We read of Smullyan’s recollections of incidents in his past that support the images of a man who enjoys logic, music, mathematics, puns etc. If you have enjoyed any of Smullyan’s books and wish to know more about the author, you will enjoy this breezy set of reflections as well. –Mathematical Association of AmericaI enjoyed the book with his many detours and distractions, and even found a new exposition of the first incompleteness theorem. It was like meeting an old friend for the first time. –Mathematical Reviews Clippings From the Back Cover This is an exciting if not rambling account of events of Raymond Smullyan’s four lives as a mathematical logician, musician, magician, and author together with thoughts that come to his mind as he recalls them. This book includes topics from some of Smullyan’s twenty-six books, as well as many of his favorite anecdotes and jokes. It also presents some generalizations of theorems of the great logicians G del and Tarski, and discusses logic in general, and how he won his wife with a logic trick! Smullyan also relates some of his teaching experiences, and expresses his views on mathematical education, and how our present textbooks are primarily responsible for its decline! About his life as a pianist, Smullyan relates a good deal about his experiences with the Piano Society a wonderful organization to which he is a staunch contributor, and how he has had such delightful relations with many of its members. Last but not least, Smullyan recounts how he has known some lovely ladies over the years. About the Author Raymond M. Smullyan, an internationally known mathematical logician, is the author of several books including Alice in Puzzle Land, This Book Needs No Title, and Five Thousand B.C. and Other Philosophical Fantasies. Read more