The Art of Logic in an Illogical World

Name: The Art of Logic in an Illogical World
Brand: Hachette Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Eugenia Cheng
ISBN: 9781549114465

Author: Eugenia Cheng

Narrator: Moira Quirk

Unabridged: 9 hr 22 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Basic Books

Published: 09/11/2018

Categories: Nonfiction, Mathematics, Philosophy, Logic, Psychology, Applied Psychology

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

How both logical and emotional reasoning can help us live better in our post-truth world

In a world where fake news stories change election outcomes, has rationality become futile? In The Art of Logic in an Illogical World, Eugenia Cheng throws a lifeline to readers drowning in the illogic of contemporary life. Cheng is a mathematician, so she knows how to make an airtight argument. But even for her, logic sometimes falls prey to emotion, which is why she still fears flying and eats more cookies than she should. If a mathematician can't be logical, what are we to do? In this book, Cheng reveals the inner workings and limitations of logic, and explains why alogic -- for example, emotion -- is vital to how we think and communicate. Cheng shows us how to use logic and alogic together to navigate a world awash in bigotry, mansplaining, and manipulative memes. Insightful, useful, and funny, this essential book is for anyone who wants to think more clearly.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Brian on July 07, 2018

This is an important book, though I'm not sure Eugenia Cheng would agree with my logic in saying so. Going on the marketing, what we have here is a counter to fake news and dodgy argumentation in the form of mathematical logic. The back cover tells us 'Newspaper headlines and social media use emotio......more

Goodreads review by Stuart on August 07, 2019

Although I began the book excited, I was soon and repeatedly disappointed. The error is this: Cheng became too conversational and focused too much on her beliefs, while the logic took a back seat, and for it, the book suffers. To expand, the logic is not rigorously expounded or treated at any depth;......more

Goodreads review by Pete Harris on August 14, 2018

It is probably a tribute to this book that I feel the need to apply its methods, or at least reflect its language in attempting to review it. I have a degree in hard sums (pure hard sums in fact), and my world outlook is, and has always been a liberal one. (with a definite small l). This is a book a......more

Goodreads review by Algirdas on August 13, 2020

Tokia kažkokia. Lyg ir kažkas, lyg ir nieko. Patiko apie logikos ribas, apie logikos ir emocijų santykį. Perskaičius liko jausmas, kad knyga buvo ne tiek apie logiką, kiek apie autorės asmeninius įsitikinimus, užpiltus logikos padažu? Perspaudė rašydama apie lytinį priekabiavimą, skaitydamas vis lab......more

Goodreads review by Moh. on February 24, 2020

How to find truth and clarity within chaos. As a species, we’re an irrational bunch. We make snap decisions based on instinct, stubbornly argue a position we haven’t deeply investigated, and let our emotions control us in ways we can’t fully explain. And this is just what’s happening inside each of u......more

Quotes

"It's a shame that not everyone can read this book, but Cheng claims it is incumbent on those of us who can to use compassion and logic to argue productively with those who can't. In this way, advanced mathematics could make a meaningful contribution to creating a better society as well as happier conversations and relationships. There is a sense in which this book is proof it can."—Guardian

"Following in the tradition of George Boole, Lewis Carroll and John Venn, who provided algebraic or diagrammatic aids to logical calculation, Eugenia Cheng enhances her reputation as a popular mathematics writer with this perceptive analysis of logic and its limitations."—Times Higher Education

"Cheng's book covers the basics of logic, argumentation, and emotion through humor and an excellent use of illustrations like ice cream, sexism, and Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem."—MAA Reviews

"Entertaining... a very welcome primer in logical thinking."—Kirkus Reviews

"Cheng's suggestion to combine the persuasive powers of logic with emotional appeal to find common ground is original and pragmatic, particularly in these divisive times."—Publishers Weekly

"With humor, grace, and a natural gift for making explanations seem fun, Eugenia Cheng has done it again. This is a book to savor, to consult, and to buy for all your friends. You'll think more clearly after reading this book, something that is unfortunately in short supply these days. I am buying several copies to send to heads of state."—Daniel J. Levitin, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of This Is Your Brain on Music and The Organized Mind

"This book is empowering! Eugenia Cheng makes logic alive and relevant with prose that is accessible, clear and engaging. In this masterpiece, you will learn how the power of logic can clarify some of the most pressing issues that confront us, as individuals and a society."—Stephon Alexander, author of The Jazz of Physics and professor of physics, Brown University