{"product_id":"9783032353207","title":"The Oracle of Numbers A Brief Philosophy of Mathematics","description":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Oracle of Numbers\u003c\/h1\u003e\u003ch2\u003eA Brief Philosophy of Mathematics\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGordon Gillespie\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eMathematics \/ History \u0026amp; Philosophy\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sciences and humanities are often imagined as two entirely distinct fields with little overlap. In this book, Gordon Gillespie weaves together historical anecdotes, philosophical arguments, and scientific explanations to demonstrate how mathematics is the bridge that connects them. Gillespie constructs this case through a careful selection of thought-provoking vignettes that illustrate foundational topics, such as counting and geometry, as well as the philosophical ideas behind concepts like infinity. As the chapters progress, Gillespie gradually deconstructs the historical understanding of mathematics as a purely abstract discipline. In its place, readers will instead see it for what it really is: not the drudgery of uncreative number crunchers, but a unique art of thinking that builds intricate ideas from elementary notions deeply rooted in our everyday lives. Whether these ideas come from Special Relativity or the well-known story about Achilles and the tortoise, \u003cem\u003eThe Oracle of Numbers\u003c\/em\u003e shows how mathematics operates across disciplines and opens up unique perspectives on the world and ourselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews of the German edition:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\"Gordon Gillespie captivates the reader with a very unique approach. [...] What is impressive about Gillespie's book, apart from the wealth of examples, is his talent for clearly explaining abstract relationships. [...] Here one learns that exact standards of reasoning and creative thinking are not mutually exclusive.\" \u003cstrong\u003eAndré Behr, \u003cem\u003eNeue Zürcher Zeitung am Sonntag\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\"In his popular non-fiction book, the author succeeds in presenting key mathematical concepts in a way that can be understood even by those with no background in mathematics. [...] This volume motivates teachers of mathematics and philosophy to address central questions of the philosophy of mathematics in a problem-oriented manner in their subject lessons or in interdisciplinary projects. [...] Conclusion: Gordon Gillespie's 'The Oracle of Numbers' is a very good and entertaining introduction to the philosophy of mathematics.\" \u003cstrong\u003eMarcel Remme, \u003cem\u003eZeitschrift für Didaktik der Philosophie und Ethik\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003e\"The author has written a highly demanding work. [The reader] must be prepared to think deeply [...] but it is worth it: the confrontation leads [...] to a productive questioning and enrichment of one's own perspective and way of thinking.\" \u003cstrong\u003eHartmut Weber, \u003cem\u003eSpektrum der Wissenschaft\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp class=\"MsoPlainText\"\u003eGordon Gillespie is an actuary, quantitative risk manager and data scientist. He has a doctorate in philosophy. In 2025, an essay based on this book has been published in Aeon Magazine under the title “Beyond Causality”. Therein he summarizes and further develops a train of thought from the book about causal vs. structural forms of explanation. Gordon Gillespie lives in Rüdesheim, Germany.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublication Date: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25 December 2026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePublisher: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpringer Nature Switzerland\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImprint: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBirkhäuser\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eISBN-13: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9783032353207\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat: \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePaperback softback\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Springer Nature Switzerland","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51324791750796,"sku":"9783032353207","price":34.19,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/lateknightbooks.com\/products\/9783032353207","provider":"Late Knight Books and Services, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}