Donald Knuth lectures on Things a Computer Scientist Rarely Talks About: Recent Episodes
Donald E. Knuth
In the fall of 1999, computer scientist Donald E. Knuth was invited to give six public lectures at MIT on the general subject of relations between faith and science. The lectures were broadcast live on the Internet and watched regularly by tens of thousands of people around the world, and they have remained popular many months after the event. This book contains transcripts of those lectures, edited and annotated by the author.
After an introductory first session, the second lecture focuses on the interaction of randomization and religion, since randomization has become a key area of scientific interest during the past few decades. The third lecture considers questions of language translation, with many examples drawn from the author's experiments in which random verses of the Bible were analyzed in depth. The fourth one deals with art and aesthetics; it illustrates several ways in which beautiful presentations can greatly deepen our perception of difficult concepts. The fifth lecture discusses what the author learned from the "3:16 project," a personal exploration of Biblical literature which he regards as a turning point in his own life.
The sixth and final lecture, "God and Computer Science," is largely independent of the other five. It deals with several new perspectives by which concepts of computer science help to shed light on many ancient and difficult questions previously addressed by scientists in other fields.
A significant part of each lecture is devoted to spontaneous questions from the audience and the speaker's impromptu responses, transcribed from videotapes of the original sessions.
The book concludes with a transcript of a panel discussion in which Knuth joins several other prominent computer specialists to discuss "Creativity, Spirituality, and Computer Science." The other panelists are Guy L. Steele Jr. of Sun Microsystems, Manuela Veloso of Carnegie Mellon University, and Mitch Kapor of Lotus Development Corporation, together with moderator Harry Lewis of Harvard University.
The author has contributed additional notes and a comprehensive index. More than 100 illustrations accompany the text.
Computer programmers as creators of new universes. Computational complexity as a way to approach questions of free will and omnipotence. Other concepts of computer science that may give insights about divinity.
What I think I learned about God from the 3:16 project. What I think I learned about theology from the 3:16 project. The difference between the two.
Panelists are Mitch Kapor (Lotus), Guy Steele (Sun), Manuela Veloso (CMU), and DEK (Stanford), moderated by Harry Lewis (Harvard).
Scientific work as an artistic endeavor. The deep influence that beautiful presentation can have on our understanding of texts. Illustrations by many of the world's greatest masters of calligraphy.
How to translate Bible verses without knowing Hebrew or Greek. The surprising rewards of such attempts, even though the task is difficult or impossible.
The advantages of unbiased sampling as a way to gain insight into a complicated subject. Dangers to avoid when using this approach.
Why I am unqualified to give these lectures. Why the lectures might be interesting anyway. The 3:16 project, a turning point in my life.