Numbers and the Making of Us

Descriere Numbers and the Making of Us

\n \nA fascinating book. \n--James Ryerson, New York Times Book Review\n \nA Smithsonian Best Science Book of the Year \nWinner of the PROSE Award for Best Book in Language & Linguistics\n \nCarved into our past and woven into our present, numbers shape our perceptions of the world far more than we think. In this sweeping account of how the invention of numbers sparked a revolution in human thought and culture, Caleb Everett draws on new discoveries in psychology, anthropology, and linguistics to reveal the many things made possible by numbers, from the concept of time to writing, agriculture, and commerce.\n \nNumbers are a tool, like the wheel, developed and refined over millennia. They allow us to grasp quantities precisely, but recent research confirms that they are not innate--and without numbers, we could not fully grasp quantities greater than three. Everett considers the number systems that have developed in different societies as he shares insights from his fascinating work with indigenous Amazonians.\n \nThis is bold, heady stuff... The breadth of research Everett covers is impressive, and allows him to develop a narrative that is both global and compelling... Numbers is eye-opening, even eye-popping. \n--New Scientist\n \nA powerful and convincing case for Everett's main thesis: that numbers are neither natural nor innate to humans. \n--Wall Street Journal\n

Detalii

Brand

HARVARD UNIVERSITY PRESS

Categorie

ENSTK

EAN / GTIN

9780674237810

Magazine

1

Disponibilitate

in stock