The Paradoxicon [Paperback]

Nicholas Falletta (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1990 | ISBN-10: 0471529508 | ISBN-13: 978-0471529507

This is an illustrated guide to a wonderland of reason where nothing is as it seems, through a maze of mental curiosities and contradictions. It discusses paradoxes of all types--mathematical, logical, scientific, philosophical and more. Though many involve sophisticated concepts and logical reasoning, none requires a highly technical background-knowledge of ordinary language and simple arithmetic will do. Twenty-five stand-alone chapters each present and discuss a different paradox, including: the Barber Paradox; the Crocodile's Dilemma, M. C. Escher's Paradoxes, the Liar Paradox, the Prisoner's Dilemma, the Raven Paradox, Zeno's Paradox, and many others. Each chapter features an end note indicating related paradoxes elsewhere in the book. Includes 118 mind-boggling illustrations, optical illusions and visual acrobatics.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This is an illustrated guide to a wonderland of reason where nothing is as it seems, through a maze of mental curiosities and contradictions. It discusses paradoxes of all types--mathematical, logical, scientific, philosophical and more. Though many involve sophisticated concepts and logical reasoning, none requires a highly technical background-knowledge of ordinary language and simple arithmetic will do. Twenty-five stand-alone chapters each present and discuss a different paradox, including: the Barber Paradox; the Crocodile's Dilemma, M. C. Escher's Paradoxes, the Liar Paradox, the Prisoner's Dilemma, the Raven Paradox, Zeno's Paradox, and many others. Each chapter features an end note indicating related paradoxes elsewhere in the book. Includes 118 mind-boggling illustrations, optical illusions and visual acrobatics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 230 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (October 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471529508
• ISBN-13: 978-0471529507
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,209,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Paradoxicon, a paradox of a book, October 9, 2000

By 

"jpa505" (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Paradoxicon (Paperback)

It is very rare that I come across a book that not only charms my whimsical sense of humour but also keeps me enthralled with the intricacies of the ilogical. I must say if you enjoy puzzles then this wonderfully mind boggling book is for you.