Things a computer scientist rarely talks about / Donald E. Knuth.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Knuth, Donald Ervin, 1938-

Series:

CSLI lecture notes ; no. 136.

CSLI lecture notes ; no. 136

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religion and science.

Science--Philosophy.

Science.

Computers and civilization.

Computers--Moral and ethical aspects.

Computers.

Information technology--Philosophy.

Information technology.

Physical Description:

xi, 257 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Stanford, Calif. : CSLI Publications, [2001]

Summary:

How does a computer scientist understand infinity? What can probability theory teach us about free will? Can mathematical notions be used to enhance one's personal understanding of the Bible? Perhaps no one is more qualified to address these questions than Donald E. Knuth, whose massive contributions to computing led others to nickname him "The Father of Computer Science" -- and whose religious faith led him to undertake a fascinating analysis of the Bible called the 3:16 project. In this series of six spirited, informal lectures, Knuth explores the relationship between his vocation and his faith, revealing the unique perspective that his work with computing has lent to his understanding of God.

His starting point is the 3:16 project, an application of mathematical "random sampling" to the books of the Bible. The first lectures tell the story of the project's conception and execution, exploring the complex dimensions of language translation, aesthetics, and theological history. Along the way, something even more interesting is revealed: the many insights that Knuth gained from such interdisciplinary work. These theological musings culminate in a mind-bending final lecture, which tackles infinity, free will, and the other Big Questions that lie at the juncture of theology and computation.

Things a Computer Scientist Rarely Talks About, with its charming and user friendly format -- each lecture ends with a question and answer exchange, and the book itself contains more than 100 illustrations -- is the most readable, intriguing approach yet to this crucial topic. It is, quite simply, required reading, both for those who are serious -- yet curious -- about their faiths, and for those who look at the science of computation and wonder what it might teach them about their spiritual world.

Contents:

Why I am unqualified to give these lectures

Why the lectures might be interesting anyway

The 3:16 project, a turning point in my life

Lecture 2 Randomization and Religion 25

The advantages of unbiased sampling as a way to gain insight into a complicated subject

Dangers to avoid when using this approach

Lecture 3 Language Translation 53

How to translate Bible verses without knowing Hebrew or Greek

The surprising rewards of such attempts, even though the task is difficult or impossible

Lecture 4 Aesthetics 91

Scientific work as an artistic endeavor

The deep influence that beautiful presentation can have on our understanding of texts

Illustrations by many of the world's greatest masters of calligraphy

Lecture 5 Glimpses of God 139

What I think I learned about God from the 3:16 project

What I think I learned about theology from the 3:16 project

The difference between the two

Lecture 6 God and Computer Science 167

Computer programmers as creators of new universes

Computational complexity as a way to approach the questions of free will and omnipotence

Other concepts of computer science that may give insights about divinity

Panel: Creativity, Spirituality, and Computer Science 207.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

1575863278

OCLC:

46473944