Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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".

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.

I am reading this book again. I bought and read it when if was first published.

What a shame this author passed away so soon after its publication. I would love to know where his thoughts on the topic would have migrated. The current status of Complexity Science seems to me, as a very interested outsider, to have stalled somewhat. Those of you who know better may correct me if you will. Though I do not seem to be able to find suitable reading for a lay person on the topic that is able to bring me up to date with the development in the field.

Pagels' prose is stellar. The topic seems to me to becoming more and more relevant in regards to the philosophy of science. I can find no other text that lays out the foundation of the assumptions, hopes and dreams for the notions voiced in this book. I am glad to be able to come back and revisit with Dr. Pagels.

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.