The Continued Exercise of Reason: Public Addresses by George Boole

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Lectures, many never before published, that offer insights into the early thinking of the mathematician and polymath George Boole. George Boole (1815–1864), remembered by history as the developer of an eponymous form of algebraic logic, can be considered a pioneer of the information age not only because of the application of Boolean logic to the design of switching circuits but also because of his contributions to the mass distribution of knowledge. In the classroom and the lecture hall, Boole interpreted recent discoveries and debates in a wide range of fields for a general audience. This collection of lectures, many never before published, offers insights into the early thinking of an innovative mathematician and intellectual polymath. Bertrand Russell claimed that “pure mathematics was discovered by Boole,” but before Boole joined a university faculty as professor of mathematics in 1849, advocacy for science and education occupied much of his time. He was deeply committed to the Victorian ideals of social improvement and cooperation, arguing that “the continued exercise of reason” joined all disciplines in a common endeavor. In these talks, Boole discusses the genius of Isaac Newton; ancient mythologies and forms of worship; the possibility of other inhabited planets in the universe; the virtues of free and open access to knowledge; the benefits of leisure; the quality of education; the origin of scientific knowledge; and the fellowship of intellectual culture. The lectures are accompanied by a substantive introduction by Brendan Dooley, the editor of the volume, that supplies biographical and historical context.

Author(s): George Boole, Brendan Dooley
Publisher: The MIT Press
Year: 2018

Language: English
Pages: 248
Tags: George Boole, Reason, Philosophy, Logic

CONTENTS......Page 6
PREFACE......Page 8
INTRODUCTION......Page 12
1 ON THE GENIUS AND DISCOVERIES OF SIR ISAAC NEWTON......Page 84
2 ON THE CHARACTER AND ORIGIN OF THE ANCIENT MYTHOLOGIES......Page 98
3 ON THE QUESTION: ARE THE PLANETS INHABITED?......Page 118
4 A PLEA FOR FREEDOM......Page 134
5 THE RIGHT USE OF LEISURE......Page 138
6 ON EDUCATION......Page 158
7 THE CLAIMS OF SCIENCE......Page 174
8 THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF INTELLECTUAL CULTURE......Page 196
NOTES......Page 208
INDEX......Page 240