Dimensions
128 x 198 x 12mm
Narratives and numbers are two fundamental ways in which we relate to the world around us. On the one hand there are personal experiences, memories and emotions and on the other, the realm of mathematics, statistics and exact science. In this intriguing and thought-provoking account, John Allen Paulos examines the logical and psychological gap between stories and statistics. What are the benefits and drawbacks of applying mathematical reasoning to stories and everyday life? How can we close the gap between meaning and information, narrative and logic? How can literary discussions of for example, individual perspectives and possible scenarios be reconciled with scientific talk of objectivity and universal truths? Illustrating his penetrating analysis with witty anecdotes and observations on everything from Bible codes and the probability of retrieving lost socks, to the O. J. Simpson trial and comparisons of different types of literary writing, he shows how storytelling and statistics can open up our perception of the world and ourselves.
