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John Allen Paulos

John Allen Paulos Quotes

Professor of mathematics

John Allen Paulos, born on July 4, 1945, is a renowned professor of mathematics. He is known for his contributions to the popularization of mathematics and philosophy, with several books on mathematical thinking and philosophical contemplation to his name.

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Famous John Allen Paulos Quotes

“I used to be surprised and even depressed when I met someone I had admired and discovered him or her to be a jerk or, perhaps worse, rather common. Now I half expect this reaction and even find it a little reassuring, maybe even uplifting. Isn't it amazing that somebody like that could produce such and such.”

Littles Science Used Common Half Produce Mets Mathematics Reactions Used To Be Uplifting Jerk Reassuring

Book:A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper

Source: A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper

“The only bit of logic-based public bathroom humor I know is: the difference between men and women is that between the statement [P and not Q] and the statement [Q and not P].”

Knows Men Science Bits Differences Men And Women Logic Mathematics Statements Bathroom Differences Between Man And Woman

Author:John Allen Paulos

“We ourselves are co-called non-linear dynamical systems... I don't feel quite so pathetic when I interrupt a project to check on some obscure web site or newsgroup or derive an iota of cheer by getting rid of pocketful of change.”

Feels Science Projects Mathematics Checks Cheer Site Obscure Pathetic Linear

Author:John Allen Paulos

“There is something inhuman and vaguely pornographic about statistics... Pornography, on the other hand, with its loosely bound sequences of storyless sexual couplings often has the feel of a statistical survey.”

Feels Hands Science Mathematics Bounds Statistics Pornography Sequence Surveys Inhuman Coupling

Author:John Allen Paulos

“The once-surprising existence of non-Euclidean models of Euclid's first four axioms can be seen as a sort of mathematical joke.”

Firsts Science Existence Four Models Jokes Mathematics Mathematical Surprising Axioms Euclid

Author:John Allen Paulos

“Defined broadly enough, mathematics encompasses everything.”

Enough Mathematics Defined

Author:John Allen Paulos

“Mathematics is no more computation than typing is literature.”

Literature Teaching Mathematics Math Mathematician Typing Computation Mathematics By Mathematicians

Author:John Allen Paulos

“I think, therefore I laugh.”

Thinking Education Knowledge Laughing Logic Mathematics Math

Book:Irreligion: A Mathematician Explains Why the Arguments for God Just Don't Add Up

Source: Irreligion: A Mathematician Explains Why the Arguments for God Just Don't Add Up

“Mathematicians are a bit like the laconic Vermonter who, when asked if he's lived in the state his whole life, replies, "Not yet."”

Ifs States Whole Bits Mathematics Whole Life Mathematician Laconic

Book:Irreligion: A Mathematician Explains Why the Arguments for God Just Don't Add Up

Source: Irreligion: A Mathematician Explains Why the Arguments for God Just Don't Add Up

“The simple equations that generate the convoluted Mandelbrot fractal have been called the wittiest remarks ever made.”

Has Beens Made Simple Mathematics Mathematical Equations Remarks Fractals Wittiest Convoluted

Book:Once Upon A Number: The Hidden Mathematical Logic Of Stories

Source: Once Upon A Number: The Hidden Mathematical Logic Of Stories

About the Author

Born: July 4, 1945
Known for: Professor of mathematics
Quotes: 24

Related Topics

Mathematics Certainty Science Logic Mathematical Uncertainty Astrology Bits Feels Firsts Insecurity Math Mathematician Statements States Statistics Thinking World Would Be Acquiescence

Popular Topics

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Books & Sources

A Mathematician Plays The Stock MarketRelated source material

Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its ConsequencesRelated source material

Irreligion: A Mathematician Explains Why the Arguments for God Just Don't Add UpRelated source material

A Mathematician Reads the NewspaperRelated source material

Beyond NumeracyRelated source material

Once Upon A Number: The Hidden Mathematical Logic Of StoriesRelated source material

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