Cogwheels of the Mind: The Story of Venn Diagrams

摘要: Used today in spheres of life as diverse business strategy, creative writing, medicine, computer science, and theoretical physics, Venn diagrams possess fascinating properties. The basic diagram is both elegantly simple-three overlapping circles that intersect to create eight distinct areas-and conceptually innovative. Devised by English logician John (1834-1923) visually represent complex logical propositions algebraic statements, the drew excited interest scholars general public. In Cogwheels Mind, statistician geneticist A. W. F. Edwards provides an accessible engaging history diagram, its reception evolution, presence such objects images Christian iconography, tennis balls, flags which provide a rich source for Edwards, including those Switzerland, Poland, Japan (all one-set diagrams), Greenland (a two-set diagram), Maryland three-set device). begins with sketch Venn's life, his discovery three-circle design while developing series lectures on symbolic logic at Cambridge University, publication find 1880 paper, and, more influentially, 1881 book, Symbolic Logic. discusses rival diagrammatic scheme invented Charles Dodgson, better known Lewis Carroll, who also developed board game based design. author recreates famous from history, Winston Churchill's 1948 depicting mutual interests British Empire, united Europe, English-speaking world, United Kingdom located intersection. goes show how different shapes can be linked together form artistically beautiful mathematically important, multi-set diagrams, author's own influential Adelaide variation. And he delineates possibilities expanding analytic power these far beyond first appreciated Venn. even tells readers draw spherical surface "Vennis balls." For anyone interested mathematics or Mind invaluable compelling reading.