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Numerology or What Pythagoras Wrought

Häftad, Engelska, 1997

799 kr

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Numerology is the delusion that numbers have power over events. It is a descendent of number mysticism, the belief the contemplation of numbers can give mystical and non-rational insights into life, the universe and everything. 2500 years ago, Pythagoras originated number mysticism, crediting certain numbers with characteristics, through numerology, is a more recent invention that allots numbers, hence characteristics, to individuals. Underwood Dudley outlines here the history of number mysticism and numerology and gives many examples, including biorhythyms, Bible-numberists, pyramidologists and a plethora of others. His message is that numbers do indeed have power, but over minds not events. This is the only book that exposes this particular human folly, and requires no mathematical background beyond knowledge of numbers.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum1997-12-30
Mått157 x 235 x 17 mm
Vikt525 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
SerieSpectrum
Antal sidor316
FörlagMathematical Association of America
ISBN9780883855249

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1. Introduction; 2. Pythagoras; 3. Neopythagoreanism; 4. The Pythagoreans abroad; 5. Alphabets for Gematria; 6. The Beast; 7. Beastly curiosities; 8. The Beast is coming! 9. The law of small numbers; 10. Comes the revolution; 11. The law of round numbers; 12. Biblical sevens; 13. Thirteens and squares; 14. The triangles of Genesis 1:1; 15. Paradigms; 16. Through poetry with straightedge and compass; 17. Shakespeare's numbers; 18. Rithmomachy; 19. Number forms; 20. Mrs L. Dow Balliett; 21. Numerology books; 22. What numerologists sell; 23. Listen for your number; 24. The power of the pyramid; 25. Inside the pyramid; 26. The Pyramid, Stonehenge, the Malayasian Lottery, and the Washington Monument; 27. Pyramidiocy; 28. Are you gridding? 29. Enneagrams; 30. All that glistens; 31. Numbers, numbers everywhere; 32. Biorhythyms; 33. Riding the wave; 34. Conclusion.

I anticipated that Numerology would be a well-written, user-friendly book. I am pleased to announce that Dudley's latest book exceeded my expectations in every respect. It is especially noteworthy that the author's practice of summarizing the history of each topic that he discusses is carried over to this book. .Some chapters that contain very little mathematics are...fascinating. The chapters on Pythagoreanism and the ones on gematria, that is the art and science of assigning numbers to letters and thus to words, are in this category. The chapters on the history of numerology, the role of sevens in the Bible, books on numerology, and the chapter on round numbers are also nonmathematical, but well worth reading. In conclusion, the book is a delight - one that you will be glad to have read, but sorry to have finished."" - The Mathematics Teacher""Most of us, regardless of mathematical training, firmly believe that numbers have great power and importance. Fewer in number, there are those who believe numbers have the ability to control events and determine our fates. These latter people, numerologists, are the subject of Dudleys most recent examination of the abuses and misuses of numbers...Dudley provides a history of numerology starting with Pythaogras and his number mystic disciples some 2500 years ago, and provides numerous examples, past and present. Featured here are the Bible-numberists, who placed special significance on the numerous sevens and perfect squares found in the Bible; the pyramidologists, who believed that the world would end on August 20, 1953 (oops!); the modern-day Oxford scholar who believes that Shakespeare wrote his sonnets with great dedication to triangular numbers; and many others. A fun read for anybody who enjoys other people's silliness. Requiring no specific mathematical ! knowledge beyond arithmetic. Numerology is highly recommended."" - CHOICE Magazine