Science, Music, And Mathematics: The Deepest Connections

by Michael Edgeworth McIntyre

Professor Michael Edgeworth McIntyre is an eminent scientist who has also had a part-time career as a musician. From a lifetime's thinking, he offers this extraordinary synthesis exposing the deepest connections between science, music, and mathematics, while avoiding equations and technical jargon. He begins with perception psychology and the dichotomization instinct and then takes us through biological evolution, human language, and acausality illusions all the way to the climate crisis and the weaponization of the social media, and beyond that into the deepest parts of theoretical physics — demonstrating our unconscious mathematical abilities. He also has an important message of hope for the future. Contrary to popular belief, biological evolution has given us not only the nastiest, but also the most compassionate and cooperative parts of human nature. This insight comes from recognizing that biological evolution is more than a simple competition between selfish genes. Rather, he suggests, in some ways it is more like turbulent fluid flow, a complex process spanning a vast range of timescales. Professor McIntyre is a Fellow of the Royal Society of London (FRS) and has worked on problems as diverse as the Sun's magnetic interior, the Antarctic ozone hole, jet streams in the atmosphere, and the psychophysics of violin sound. He has long been interested in how different branches of science can better communicate with each other and with the public, harnessing aspects of neuroscience and psychology that point toward the deep 'lucidity principles' that underlie skilful communication.

228 pages, Hardcover

Published November 8, 2021

Reviews

[Seoree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am leaving a review for this terribly undersold book, which I am partly attributing to the fact that the publisher is an academic press not a commercial one. The author has close to no didactic tendency and does a supreme job in explaining the overarching theme in many of the cutting-edge fields of science, ranging from neuroscience to solar physics. Reads likey E. O. Wilson but with easier and more accessible storyline with by no means any less clarity, scope, or depth. One thing to note: I expected music to be a central topic guessing from the title, but it is closer to a collection of related essays with no extra focus in music. Highly recommended for anyone who is interested in science.

[Joe Isler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most humane and lucid books I've ever read. Points out the dangers of dichotomized thinking. Incredibly wide-ranging scholarship. Science seen as an extension of perception. Ends with a deep, balanced, and thorough presentation of all the details and evidence for human-induced climate change. I share the previous reviewer's lament that it is not more widely read.