Mathematics and the Roots of Postmodern Thought

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Oxford University Press, Aug 30, 2001 - Mathematics - 200 pages
This is a charming and insightful contribution to an understanding of the "Science Wars" between postmodernist humanism and science, driving toward a resolution of the mutual misunderstanding that has driven the controversy. It traces the root of postmodern theory to a debate on the foundations of mathematics early in the 20th century, then compares developments in mathematics to what took place in the arts and humanities, discussing issues as diverse as literary theory, arts, and artificial intelligence. This is a straightforward, easily understood presentation of what can be difficult theoretical concepts It demonstrates that a pattern of misreading mathematics can be seen both on the part of science and on the part of postmodern thinking. This is a humorous, playful yet deeply serious look at the intellectual foundations of mathematics for those in the humanities and the perfect critical introduction to the bases of modernism and postmodernism for those in the sciences.

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Contents

1 Introduction
3
2 Around the Cartesian Circuit
7
3 Space Oddity and Linguistic Turn
20
4 Wound of Language
32
5 Beyond the Code
50
6 The Expired Subject
67
7 The Vanishing Author
84
8 Say Hello to the Structure Bubble
100
9 Dont Think Look
119
10 Postmodern Enigmas
138
Notes
159
Select Bibliography
177
Index
183
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