The Fourth Dimension: Toward a Geometry of Higher Reality (Dover Books on Science) by Rudy Rucker (PDF)

Description

This is the definitive popular exploration of what the fourth dimension means, both physically and spiritually. Mathematician and science-fiction novelist Rudy Rucker takes readers on a guided tour of a higher reality that explores what the fourth dimension is and what it has meant to generations of thinkers. The exciting and challenging journey is enhanced by more than 200 illustrations and a host of puzzles and problems (with answers).”This is an invigorating book, a short but spirited slalom for the mind.” — Timothy Ferris, The New York Times Book Review “Highly readable. One is reminded of the breadth and depth of Hofstadter’s Gödel, Escher, Bach.” — Science”Anyone with even a minimal interest in mathematics and fantasy will find The Fourth Dimension informative and mind-dazzling… [Rucker] plunges into spaces above three with a zest and energy that is breathtaking.” — Martin Gardner “Those who think the fourth dimension is nothing but time should be encouraged to readThe Fourth Dimension, along with anyone else who feels like opening the hinges of his mind and letting in a bit of fresh air.” — John Sladek, Washington Post Book World”A mine of mathematical insights and a thoroughly satisfying read.” — Paul Davies, Nature Magazine

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: From the Back Cover This is the definitive popular exploration of what the fourth dimension means, both physically and spiritually. Mathematician and science-fiction novelist Rudy Rucker takes readers on a guided tour of a higher reality that explores what the fourth dimension is and what it has meant to generations of thinkers. The exciting and challenging journey is enhanced by more than 200 illustrations and a host of puzzles and problems (with answers).”This is an invigorating book, a short but spirited slalom for the mind.”—Timothy Ferris, The New York Times Book Review “Highly readable. One is reminded of the breadth and depth of Hofstadter’s Gödel, Escher, Bach.”—Science”Anyone with even a minimal interest in mathematics and fantasy will find The Fourth Dimension informative and mind-dazzling… [Rucker] plunges into spaces above three with a zest and energy that is breathtaking.”—Martin Gardner “Those who think the fourth dimension is nothing but time should be encouraged to readThe Fourth Dimension, along with anyone else who feels like opening the hinges of his mind and letting in a bit of fresh air.”—John Sladek, Washington Post Book World”A mine of mathematical insights and a thoroughly satisfying read.”—Paul Davies, Nature MagazineDover (2014) republication of the edition originally published by the Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1984.See every Dover book in print atwww.doverpublications.com About the Author Rudy Rucker is an American mathematician, computer scientist, philosopher, and author of 31 books of nonfiction, science fiction, and short stories. He is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Computer Science at San Jose State. His other Dover books are Geometry, Relativity and the Fourth Dimension, and Mind Tools: The Five Levels of Mathematical Reality.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐I think this is, quite possibly, one of the best books I’ve read on the fourth dimension. For those saying “but the fourth dimension is time”, all I have to say is, no, not in this case. We’re discussing four spatial dimensions, which we can only really represent with mathematics in our three dimensional world. Naturally this is written by a mathematician and he did quite an exquisite job at explaining the nature of this utterly foreign dimension.Now readers won’t walk away being able to picture four dimensional beings or structures, but one will be able to grasp a fairly general understanding of what it would be like for a four dimensional being or object to exist and interact with our dimension. Naturally Rucker does this by explaining the relations between the dimensions by changing our perspective and having us think two dimensionally. For this he relies heavily on a book written by Edwin Abbott called “Flatland”. I highly recommend you read “Flatland” before you attempt to tackle Rucker’s book, as he constantly quotes “Flatland”, almost to his books detriment. He also quotes other texts like “Spaceland” (which Rucker also wrote) or “Flatterland” here and there, but the one he relies upon most is “Flatland”. “Flatland” is a natural and easy introduction to learning how to think from the perspective of a different dimension and helps the reader to fully grasp Rucker’s analogy as he projects the relationship from the second and third dimensions to a relationship between the third and the fourth dimension. Naturally he points out that some of these points are mere conjecture as we cannot observe fourth dimensional objects in our reality… yet. “The 4th Dimension” is also illustrated with all kinds of silly cartoons to give the book a much lighter feel to its fairly heavy topic. The illustrations will certainly help anyone who really needs to see a drawing of some of the concepts Rucker talks about.I was originally introduced to some of these concepts via Michio Kaku’s book “Hyperspace”. While he did a pretty good job explaining four spatial dimensions, I think this book really delves into it a lot deeper. The reader walks away with a much fuller understanding of the concepts concerning this different dimension. Not only will you learn about this, Rucker also goes through a very interesting history concerning humanity’s fascination with things beyond our own dimension. He delves into metaphysics and explanations for ghosts as well as recounting the mathematical history (which is the real mainstay of this book). The spiritual aspects of this book are more anecdotal to help give the reader some historical or philosophical perspective in lieu of the mathematics.If you’re really curious about the possibility of other spatial dimensions then this book is a great read. The physics and universe research may be a little outdated by this point since the book originally came out in the 1980’s, but it’s application in helping a person think of how the fourth dimensional being would react is still applicable. While I’m pretty sure it’s agreed that there are more than three spatial dimensions in existence, this book still treats that aspect as if there’s still a major debate going on about it. After finding absolute proof of Black Holes in the universe, I think the multi-dimensional universe (or multiverse) concept is pretty realistic, since if the Black Hole singularity transcends our space and time… it has to go somewhere! Anyway, don’t forget to read “Flatland” before you pick this up and I think people will find this a fun and informative read.

⭐Potential readers want to take the title literally; this IS a geometrically directed book. Some reference I read recently seemed to suggest a tie-in to alternative realities from which I inferred a metaphysical sort of book, which is why I ordered it. NOT. At least not unless equations and diagrams suggest metaphysics to you, I guess. I’m sure for the mathematically inclined this is a fascinating book. For which it might be worthy of five stars. But for me, not what I was hoping for. That’s not the author’s fault, of course. Speaking favorably, I did go through the entire book in one afternoon easily enough. When the math overwhelmed me, I simply skipped on to where I felt I could follow again. Toward the end, I was on stable enough footing to argue with him in the margins. Author does offer many amusing anecdotes, which help illustrate his material. If you have familiarity with some major philosophers, a basic bit of quantum, and concepts of alternative realities, you will probably find something of interest, but if you’re looking to have your imagination stretched, I didn’t find that here.

⭐One of the best book I have ever read about the fourth dimension.

⭐In ‘The 4th Dimension’, Rudy Rucker takes a concept that could potentially be made frightfully technical and – through the use of snippets of fiction, humorous drawings (I believe the illustrator also did drawings for many of James Thurber’s works), and down-to-earth language – makes it accessible to anyone. I’ve handed my copy to people who absolutely hated math, and they have been able to come away with at least a basic understanding. As someone who adores math, I found the analogies entertaining without being ‘dumbed down’.

⭐Somewhat dated. This would have been a great book contemporary with Flatland.

⭐Bought this to teach a “Doctor Who & Philosophy” course—perfect!

⭐very good

⭐Nothing much to add. Just a great interesting read that’s simple and concise. I will check out some of the writer’s other books as well.

⭐Extremely enlightening. Excerpts from well-known philosophers, psychiatrists, mathematicians, and others make this interesting book even more interesting.

⭐Another of my faves … a difficult topic explained lucidly by the author

⭐Language is tuffBut thought are nice

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