Labyrinths of Reason: Paradox, Puzzles and the Frailty of Knowledge

By William Poundstone

Book Overview

This sharply intelligent, consistently provocative book takes the reader on an astonishing, thought-provoking voyage into the realm of delightful uncertainty--a world of paradox in which logical argument leads to contradiction and common sense is seemingly rendered irrelevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385242611
• ISBN13: 9780385242615
• Release Date: October 1988
• Publisher: Doubleday Books
• Length: 274 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Great book on logic and the meaning of 'knowing'

I have to confess - I bought this book after reading Mr. Poundstone's book 'How would you move mount Fuji?' I probably never would have bought this book otherwise - and I'm glad I did.So first of all - this is not a riddle book. Its a philosophy book trying to dismantle well know paradoxes in modern epistemology. It's not revolutionary in any way, but it collects its ideas from good sources and gives a nice and coherent view...

An old friend back in print

I had this book in hardcover when it was new (the late 1980s), but I misplaced it some time ago. Now that this paperback edition is back in print, I've bought a replacement copy and I'm glad I did.Paradoxes are fascinating. You may not agree with Jorge Luis Borges when he speculates that paradoxes and antinomies are evidence that the "undivided divinity within us" has "dreamt the world" (although there is actually a pretty...

What a shame this book is out of print!

I would like to buy copies for several friends. The author examines common paradoxes in order to illumine various problems of knowledge. The chapter titles speak for themselves: The Unknowable, Belief, The Impossible, Infinity, NP-Completeness, Omnisicience. A wonderful and comprehensible introduction to some of the knottiest and important problems of science, philosophy, even theology. Recomended.

Good for the Brain

I love this book and will have to buy another copy one day because I lent mine out and never saw it again. I imagine its making its way hand to hand leaving little of bits of knowledge everywhere. This book is an excellent introduction to philosophy: the twin paradox, prisoner's dilemna.. its' all here. I would recommend this for anyone who uses their brain to solve problems for a living. It's good exercise for the brain!...

This book will change the way you think.

This is an excellently-written, thoroughly engrossing book. You'll be torn between pausing to ponder what Poundtsone has said and reading on without interruption. Poundstone writes about both well-known and arcane paradoxes, thought experiments and philosophical theories. This book will not only change what you think; it will change how you think