The Laws of Thought: The Quest for a Mathematical Theory of the Mind

by Tom Griffiths

From the coauthor of Algorithms to Live By , an exploration of the quest to use mathematics to describe the ways we think, from its origins three hundred years ago to the ideas behind modern AI systems and the ways in which they still differ from human minds

Everyone has a basic understanding of how the physical world works. We learn about physics and chemistry in school, letting us explain the world around us in terms of concepts like force, acceleration, and gravity—the Laws of Nature. But we don’t have the same fluency with concepts needed to understand the world inside us—the Laws of Thought. While the story of how mathematics has been used to reveal the mysteries of the universe is familiar, the story of how it has been used to study the mind is not.

There is no one better to tell that story than Tom Griffiths, the head of Princeton’s AI Lab and a renowned expert in the field of cognitive science. In this groundbreaking book, he explains the three major approaches to formalizing thought—rules and symbols, neural networks, and probability and statistics—introducing each idea through the stories of the people behind it. As informed conversations about thought, language, and learning become ever more pressing in the age of AI, The Laws of Thought is an essential listen for anyone interested in the future of technology.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Psychology, Mathematics, Philosophy, Neuroscience

400 pages, Hardcover

First published February 10, 2026

Reviews

[Dirks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to an enlightening and quirky adventure through the history of logic using mathematics, linguistics, and pattern evolution to understand the human mind. This book is not just a dry exploration of complex theories, but a captivating narrative filled with personal biographies and insights born of the minds of some brilliant psychological heroes.

Griffiths masterfully ties together the heavy logic of foundational concepts like rules and symbols, neural networks, and probability and statistics, with the human stories behind their discoveries. The result is a tale that is as engaging as it is informative. It's like having a cup of coffee with a brilliant professor, who not only shares their latest research but also regales us with tales of the eccentric geniuses who came before them.

For those of us who may have struggled to grasp the intricacies of cognitive science and AI, "The Laws of Thought" is a breath of fresh air. Griffiths' ability to make these complex concepts accessible and relatable is truly commendable; however, I would truly recommend accessing the pdf or viewing some of Griffiths’ other written work as some of the topics are hard to grasp from the audio alone.

As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology and artificial intelligence, it's essential to have a solid understanding of the foundational principles that underpin these fields. "The Laws of Thought" is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the future of technology and the human mind. So, grab a copy, settle in, and prepare to be both entertained and enlightened!

Personally, I was surprised to find that the names of the mid-20th century psychologist-- that I’ve studied in classes for years-- belonged to men who held conferences together, influencing not only each other’s work, but also the field of AI. Weaving these tales together has shed new light on the entire field. If that isn’t the sign of a good book and time well spent, I’m not sure what is.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Tom Griffiths for an ALC of this book.

[Jerry Edward Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can we use the laws of mathematics to describe the many ways human beings think? The author of this new book definitely believes so. Griffiths is a professor at Princeton focusing on information technology. His research is on interdisciplinary questions at the intersection of psychology and computer science. He received real national attention with his previous book, Algorithms to Live By: the Computer Science of Human Decisions, published by Henry Holt & Company in 2016. Griffith’s research explores connections between human and machine learning, using ideas from statistics and artificial intelligence to understand how people solve the challenging human questions and problems they encounter in everyday life. He favors introducing ideas from computer science and cognitive science to wider general audiences. In this new book, Griffiths identifies three major approaches of rules and symbols, neural networks, and probability and statistics. The idea of “the laws of thought” began with the 19th century philosopher and mathematician, George Boole. Boole’s mathematical work in algebra and logic is essential to computer programming and helped lay a foundation for today’s information age. The very idea, however, can be better credited to the Greek philosopher Aristotle and his ideas underlying modern science and logic. As informed conversations about thought, language, and learning become ever more pressing in the age of artificial intelligence, The Laws of Thought is an essential resource for anyone interested in the future of technology. . The final chapter – appropriately titled “putting it all together” – is an excellent summary of the state of such applied efforts at understanding human decision making. Highly recommended.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Laws of Thought, author Tom Griffiths explores the central question: how do we measure and model the mind mathematically, not only to understand human thinking but also to recreate it through artificial intelligence.

This fascinating intellectual history begins with Aristotle, Leibniz, and Boole, guiding readers through the foundations of logic, formal systems, language, and much more, exploring how we organize thought in ways that can be analyzed and predicted.

Along the way, Griffiths adds context by sharing short biographies of the key figures mentioned; where they came from, how they got interested in the mind, and how their ideas developed.

A compelling blend of cognitive science, language and history of artificial intelligence, Highly recommended.

Many Thanks to Holt and Goodreads for the ARC.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn’t sure what to make of this book going in, but I ended up completely fascinated by not only the topic, but by how it’s presented. It’s topical, especially due to the inclusion of AI, and it’s given me a lot to consider in terms of the history of thought and philosophy and progress that’s been made in these realms. Technology isn’t generally something I seek to learn about (I usually find it overwhelming), but here it’s made relevant and not just discussed for the sake of it. I appreciated the anecdotal and personal accounts woven into this book, as they help ground things in the everyday. Still had to read the book slowly to digest what was being conveyed, but I’m glad I did! A solid paperback ARC to have won in a Goodreads Giveaway!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling blend of cognitive science, language and history of artificial intelligence, Highly recommended.

[saranimals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing framework for metacognition. Best consumed in smaller segments, for proper digestion. Will surely be ready again at a later point.