Gödel, Escher, Bach
Gödel, Escher, Bach
Douglas R. Hofstadter
Naval Ravikant
Amazing book, but good luck finishing it. - Naval Ravikant
Steve Jurvetson
Steve Jurvetson mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Sahil Lavingia
Sahil Lavingia recommended this book on Notion.
Kevin Kelly
Over the years, I kept finding myself returning to its insights, and each time I would arrive at them at a deeper level. - Kevin Kelly
Chris Hayes
Changed my life! - Chris Hayes
+
7
All books

Gödel, Escher, Bach

Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid

Douglas R. Hofstadter
By
Douglas R. Hofstadter
4.3
2303
ratings on Goodreads

In the labyrinthine depths of "Gödel, Escher, Bach," Douglas R. Hofstadter weaves an intricate tapestry of interconnected ideas, exploring the enigmatic borders where logic, art, and music intersect with the essence of human consciousness. With each turn of the page, the reader is invited on a mesmerizing journey through the worlds of mathematician Kurt Gödel, artist M.C. Escher, and composer Johann Sebastian Bach, discovering the hidden symmetries and paradoxes that lie at the heart of existence. Hofstadter masterfully demonstrates how these three geniuses' work illuminates the complex mechanisms of the mind, challenging our perceptions of reality and the frameworks that define human intelligence. Beyond a mere exploration of these iconic figures, Hofstadter delves into the profound implications of their work, presenting a groundbreaking vision of how self-reference and formal rules can lead to systems of astonishing complexity and beauty. "Gödel, Escher, Bach" is not just a book; it is an intellectual odyssey that transcends the conventional boundaries of science and art, offering a glimpse into the recursive patterns that define our world and ourselves. Through a series of thought-provoking dialogues and essays, Hofstadter invites readers to contemplate the possibility that the key to understanding minds and machines lies in the surprising loops and layers of “strange loops,” where logic and magic intertwine. This masterpiece remains as relevant and captivating today as it was at its inception, a testament to the enduring quest for knowledge and the insatiable curiosity of the human spirit.

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Released
1979
1 Apr
Length
777
Pages

7

recommendations

recommendation

Changed my life! - Chris Hayes
Tying together Gödel's incompleteness theory with mathematics, with Escher's drawings, and Bach's fugues. And showing they're all related in some way. - Demis Hassabis
Steve Jurvetson mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Over the years, I kept finding myself returning to its insights, and each time I would arrive at them at a deeper level. - Kevin Kelly
Sahil Lavingia recommended this book on Notion.
David Deutsch recommended this book in his book "The Beginning of Infinity."
Amazing book, but good luck finishing it. - Naval Ravikant
Meaning lies as muchin the mind of the readeras in the Haiku.
— Douglas R. Hofstadter, Gödel, Escher, Bach

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