UCC will host the launch of new book: "The Continued Exercise of Reason: Public Addresses by George Boole (M.I.T. Press), Ed. Brendan Dooley" on Monday 1st October and all are welcome to attend.
This new book contains lectures, many never before published and offers insights into the early thinking of the mathematician and polymath George Boole.
"George Boole was a great lecturer on many topics, not only a writer on his specialty. The book grew out of a project in UCC library and became an edition of texts representing another side of the great mathematician, to the one usually talked about, and a chance to take a deep dive into a period and culture that are still misunderstood." Prof Brendan Dooley, Professor in the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences at UCC
Photo: Prof Brendan Dooley
George Boole (1815–1864), remembered by history as the developer of an eponymous form of algebraic logic, and by UCC as a former Mathematics Professor, can be considered a pioneer of the Information Age not only because of the application of Boolean logic to the design of switching circuits but also because of his contributions to the mass distribution of knowledge. In the classroom and the lecture hall, Boole interpreted recent discoveries and debates in a wide range of fields for a general audience. This collection of lectures, many never before published, offers insights into the early thinking of an innovative mathematician and intellectual polymath.
Bertrand Russell claimed that “pure mathematics was discovered by Boole,” but before Boole joined a university faculty as Professor of mathematics in 1849, advocacy for science and education occupied much of his time. He was deeply committed to the Victorian ideals of social improvement and cooperation, arguing that “the continued exercise of reason” joined all disciplines in a common endeavour. In these talks, Boole discusses the genius of Isaac Newton; ancient mythologies and forms of worship; the possibility of other inhabited planets in the universe; the virtues of free and open access to knowledge; the benefits of leisure; the quality of education; the origin of scientific knowledge; and the fellowship of intellectual culture. The lectures are accompanied by a substantive introduction by Brendan Dooley, the editor of the volume, that supplies biographical and historical context.
Date: Monday 1st October, 2018 Time: 5.15 pm
Venue: Q-1 Special Collections, Boole Library UCC.
Brief Tour of Boole manuscripts to follow by Crónán O'Doibhlin,Head of Research Collections, UCC Library
Reception at 6.00 pm in Boole Library Small Conference Room, Q Floor
All are welcome
Prof Brendan Dooley would like to acknowledge and thank all who have made this event possible, in particular,
Book can be purchased online
visit UCC.ie
