Peter Pesic – författare

Hermann Weyl (1885-1955) was one of the twentieth century''s most important mathematicians, as well as a seminal figure in the development of quantum physics and general relativity. He was also an eloquent writer with a lifelong interest in the philosophical implications of the startling new scientific developments with which he was so involved. Mind and Nature is a collection of Weyl''s most important general writings on philosophy, mathematics, and physics, including pieces that have never before been published in any language or translated into English, or that have long been out of print. Complete with Peter Pesic''s introduction, notes, and bibliography, these writings reveal an unjustly neglected dimension of a complex and fascinating thinker. In addition, the book includes more than twenty photographs of Weyl and his family and colleagues, many of which are previously unpublished. Included here are Weyl''s exposition of his important synthesis of electromagnetism and gravitation, which Einstein at first hailed as "a first-class stroke of genius"; two little-known letters by Weyl and Einstein from 1922 that give their contrasting views on the philosophical implications of modern physics; and an essay on time that contains Weyl''s argument that the past is never completed and the present is not a point. Also included are two book-length series of lectures, The Open World (1932) and Mind and Nature (1934), each a masterly exposition of Weyl''s views on a range of topics from modern physics and mathematics. Finally, four retrospective essays from Weyl''s last decade give his final thoughts on the interrelations among mathematics, philosophy, and physics, intertwined with reflections on the course of his rich life.

Aus den Rezensionen zur englischen Auflage:

"Die Leser von Pesics faszinierendem kleinen Buch werden zu dem unausweichlichen Urteil kommen: Niels [Henrik] Abel hat sich der Genialität im fünften Grade schuldig gemacht."

William Dunham, Muhlenberg College und Autor von "Journey through Genius: The Great Theorems of Mathematics

"Peter Pesic schreibt über Abels Werk mit Begeisterung und Einfühlungsvermögen, und ruft Erinnerungen an die großartigen Momente in der Entwicklung der Algebra wach."

Barry Mazur, Gerhard Gade University Professor, Harvard University

"Ein einzigartiges Buch. Peter Pesics Chronik des langen Weges der Mathematiker zum Verständnis, wann eine Gleichung gelöst werden kann - und wann nicht - ist amüsant, einleuchtend und leserfreundlich. Der Autor bemüht sich sehr, auch weniger bekannte Namen wie Viète und Ruffini gebührend zu würdigen und verlangt von seinen Lesern nicht mehr als Basiswissen in der Algebra - wovon ein Großteil angenehmerweise getrennt vom Haupttext plaziert wurde."

Tony Rothman, Department of Physics, Bryn Mawr College

"Peter Pesics Geschichte über die Entstehung der Mathematik ist genauso spannend wie ein Roman."

Economist