A bold, visionary, and mind-bending exploration of how the geometry of chaos can explain our uncertain world—from weather and pandemics to quantum physics and free will
Covering a breathtaking range of topics—from climate change to the foundations of quantum physics, from economic modelling to conflict prediction, from free will to consciousness and spirituality—The Primacy of Doubt takes us on a unique journey through the science of uncertainty. A key theme that unifies these seemingly unconnected topics is the geometry of chaos: the beautiful and profound fractal structures that lie at the heart of much of modern mathematics. Royal Society Research Professor Tim Palmer shows us how the geometry of chaos not only provides the means to predict the world around us, it suggests new insights into some of the most astonishing aspects of our universe and ourselves. This important and timely book helps the reader makes sense of uncertainty in a rapidly changing world.
Introduction
Part I: The Science of Uncertainty
1: Chaos, Chaos Everywhere
2: The Geometry of Chaos
3: Noisy, Million-Dollar Butterflies
4: Quantum Uncertainty: Reality Lost?
Part II: Predicting our Chaotic World
5: The Two Roads to Monte Carlo
6: Climate Change: Catastrophe or Just Lukewarm?
7: Pandemics
8: Financial Crashes
9: Deadly Conflict and the Digital Ensemble of Spaceship Earth
10: Decisions! Decisions!
Part III: Understanding the Chaotic Universe and our Place in it
11: Quantum Uncertainty: Reality Regained?
12: Our Noisy Brains
13: Free Will, Consciousness, and God
Height:195
Width:130
Spine:25
Weight:276.00