Mathematics and the Roots of Postmodern Thought [Hardcover]

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.

1. Introduction
2. Around the Cartesian Circuit
2.1. Imagination
2.2. Intuition
2.3. Counting to One
3. Space Oddity and Linguistic Turn
4. Wound of Language
4.1. Being and Time Continuum
4.2. Language and Will
5. Beyond the Code
5.1. Medium of Free Becoming
5.2. Nonpresence of Identity
6. The Expired Subject
6.1. Empire of Signs
6.2. Mechanical Bride
7. The Vanishing Author
8. Say Hello to the Structure Bubble
8.1. Algebra of Language
8.2. FunctionalismChic
9. Don't Think, Look
9.1. Interpolating the Self
9.2. Language Games
9.3. Thermostats R Us
10. Postmodern Enigmas
10.1. UnspeakableDiffd'erance
10.2. DysfunctionalismChic
Notes
Select Bibliography
Index