Does God Play Dice (US Edition): The Mathematics of Chaos (Paperback)

~ Neil Stewart (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Mathematicians and scientists have now discovered that systems obeying precise laws can behave in a random fashion. And perhaps God can play dice, and create a universe of complete law and order, in the same breath. This new science, the mathematics of chaos, is explained in this lucid, witty and engaging book. Illustrated.

From the Back Cover

Does God Play Dice?

Yes. But How? Einstein did not believe that 'God Plays Dice'. He laid the foundations for today's thinking that the universe is goverened by the immutable laws of physics- there is no room for chance.

But these foundations may be built on sand. The new science of chaos is forcing scientists to rethink even the most fundamental ideas about the way in which the universe behaves. Chaos thoery has already shown that the systems obeying precise laws can nevertheless act in a random manner. Perhaps God does play dice, within a cosmic game of complete law and order.

Does God Play Dice? explains the astonishing new theories of systems that obey simple laws but which are neither constant nor predictable. Ian Stewart reveals a strange universe. A universe in which nothing may be as it seems, where familiar geometrical shapes such as circles and ellipses give way to infinitely complex structures known as 'fractals'. He explains how the fluttering of a butterfly's wings can change the weather and how the gravitational attraction of a creature in a distant galaxy can change the fate of the solar system.

In terms that anyone can understand Does God Play Dice? tells the story of this entirely new science and the implications chaos has for notions of predictability and the verification of scientific theories.

Chaos is a whole new world of ideas and possibilities, a new kind of matementics, a fundamental insight into nature itself, and it brings us closer to an understanding of literally everything.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (January 15, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557861064
• ISBN-13: 978-1557861061
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #981,153 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An intelligent non-technical introduction to chaos., July 25, 1998

By	henrique fleming (Sao Paulo, SP Brazil) - See all my reviews

Being a physicist I frequently get bored with "science for the layman" books (for instance, Hawking's "Brief History of Time"). This was not the case with Stewart's "Dice" book. It is very well researched and written, in a style that wisely combines historical information with new discoveries, which are, therefore put into perspective. You can even try your hands in simple calculations with your PC. On the whole, a very balanced exposition, without, thank God!, the usual exageration on the place of chaos in the future of science. A very good place to start.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough explanation of chaos theory, April 23, 2004

By	Charles Ashbacher "([e-mail])" (Marion, Iowa United States([e-mail])) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

The best mathematical models for many physical events rely on chaotic formulas and the number continues to grow rapidly. It now appears that some exposure to chaos and fractals will be a necessary component of the education of all future applied mathematicians. Given the simplicity of many of the equations, it can be strongly argued that chaos should be an early component of all mathematics education. Also, programming a computer to generate the images is very simple and a lot of fun.
To study chaos, you need a place to start, and this book will point you in the right direction and give you a brisk tail wind. The author, best known for his mathematics columns in Scientific American, writes with exceptional clarity. There are very few equations, as Stewart relies extensively on the verbal explanation. While computer generation is mentioned, only one very short BASIC program is given.
The material is pretty standard for introductory chaos and could serve as a textbook for a non-mathematical course in the subject. It would also be valuable reading for a course in the philosophy of science. Fairly extensive historical backgrounds are given for many of the initial discoveries.
If you have heard about chaos and want to know what all the excitement is about or are looking for reading material for a class you are teaching, this book is an excellent place to explore.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent non-mathematical introductory book, August 22, 1999

By	Ingmar Prada & Ma. Teresa Valdés (Mexico City, Mexico) - See all my reviews

It was one of the first books on chaos I read before take more advanced papers and books, and it is very clarifying in the basic ideas of this new and amazing world. I strongly recomend it for beginers and science's lovers.