Title
The Best Of All Possible Worlds: Mathematics And Destiny
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Optimists Believe This Is The Best Of All Possible Worlds. And Pessimists Fear That Might Really Be The Case. But What Is The Best Of All Possible Worlds? How Do We Define It? Is It The World That Operates The Most Efficiently? Or The One In Which Most People Are Comfortable And Content? Questions Such As These Have Preoccupied Philosophers And Theologians For Ages, But There Was A Time, During The Seventeenth And Eighteenth Centuries, When Scientists And Mathematicians Felt They Could Provide The Answer.This Book Is Their Story. Ivar Ekeland Here Takes The Reader On A Journey Through Scientific Attempts To Envision The Best Of All Possible Worlds. He Begins With The French Physicist Maupertuis, Whose Least Action Principle Asserted That Everything In Nature Occurs In The Way That Requires The Least Possible Action. This Idea, Ekeland Shows, Was A Pivotal Breakthrough In Mathematics, Because It Was The First Expression Of The Concept Of Optimization, Or The Creation Of Systems That Are The Most Efficient Or Functional. Although The Least Action Principle Was Later Elaborated On And Overshadowed By The Theories Of Leonhard Euler And Gottfried Leibniz, The Concept Of Optimization That Emerged From It Is An Important One That Touches Virtually Every Scientific Discipline Today.Tracing The Profound Impact Of Optimization And The Unexpected Ways In Which It Has Influenced The Study Of Mathematics, Biology, Economics, And Even Politics, Ekeland Reveals Throughout How The Idea Of Optimization Has Driven Some Of Our Greatest Intellectual Breakthroughs. The Result Is A Dazzling Display Of Eruditionone That Will Be Essential Reading For Popularscience Buffs And Historians Of Science Alike.
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- Q: What is the title of this book? A: The title of the book is 'The Best of All Possible Worlds: Mathematics and Destiny'.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of this book is Ivar Ekeland.
- Q: How many pages does this book have? A: This book has two hundred seven pages.
- Q: What are the dimensions of the book? A: The dimensions of the book are nine point zero two inches in length, six point three inches in width, and zero point six one inches in height.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book has a paperback binding.
- Q: What category does this book belong to? A: This book belongs to the 'History & Philosophy' category.
- Q: Is this book suitable for all ages? A: Yes, this book is suitable for a general audience interested in philosophy and mathematics.
- Q: What themes are covered in this book? A: The book covers themes of optimization, scientific discovery, and philosophical inquiry into the concept of the best possible world.
- Q: How can I apply the concepts from this book? A: You can apply the concepts of optimization in various fields such as mathematics, biology, economics, and even politics.
- Q: Should I read this book if I am a beginner in philosophy? A: Yes, this book is accessible to beginners and offers insights into complex philosophical ideas.
- Q: How do I care for this book? A: To care for this book, keep it in a cool, dry place and avoid exposure to direct sunlight.
- Q: Can I store this book on a shelf? A: Yes, you can store this book on a shelf alongside other books.
- Q: What if my book arrives damaged? A: If your book arrives damaged, please contact customer support for assistance with returns or exchanges.
- Q: Is there a warranty for this book? A: No, there is no warranty for this book, but you can check the return policy.
- Q: How do I return this book if I don't like it? A: To return the book, follow the return instructions provided at the time of purchase.
- Q: What should I do if I have questions about the book? A: If you have questions about the book, you can reach out to customer support or check the publisher's website for more information.