An Investigation of the Laws of Thought (Barnes & Noble Digital Library)

by George Boole, Michele Friend (Introduction)

Overview

This edition includes a modern introduction and a list of suggested further reading. Before 1854 when George Boole published The Laws of Thought, the subject of 'logic' in the western world was entirely restricted to the study of the Aristotelian syllogism, which was as old as 384-322 BC. In this work, Boole introduces a sort of algebra of propositions with probability. Boole's logic forms the basis for present day Boolean Algebra, which in turn lies at the base of computer science. Because Boole is essentially inventing a number of new concepts, the discussions concerning his ideas of logic are both accessible to the non-specialist and fascinating for the historian or philosopher of mathematics and logic.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781411468450
Publisher:	Barnes & Noble
Publication date:	03/13/2012
Series:	Barnes & Noble Digital Library
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	488
File size:	6 MB
Age Range:	3 Months to 18 Years

About the Author

George Boole (1815 - 1864) was born in Lincolnshire, England. He was born of humble origin as the first son of a shoemaker. For financial reasons, he did not receive the best education, but nevertheless he learned Latin from a local bookseller and taught himself French, German, and Greek. At the age of nineteen, Boole had to support his parents and siblings. He started teaching at a local school, and later set up and ran a boarding school with the help of his family.