on which are founded the mathematical theories of logic and probabilities.
London; Cambridge, Walton and Maberly; Macmillan & Co., 1854
The basis of all modern computer coding. The first edition of George Boole's important contribution to the advancement of logic, demonstrating that complex reasoning could be reduced to defined algebraic principles. Today Boolean Algebra can be found in all modern computer coding languages, and has been key to the development of set theory and statistics.
'The design of the following treatise is to investigate the fundamental laws of those operations of the mind by which the reasoning is performed; to give expression to them in the symbolical language of a Calculus, and upon this foundation to establish the science of Logic and construct its method' (p.1).
'Boole invented the first practical system of logic in algebraic form, which enabled more advances in logic to be made in the decades of the nineteenth century than in the twenty-two centuries preceding. Boole's work led to the creation of set theory and probability theory in mathematics, to the philosophical work of Peirce, Russell, Whitehead and Wittgenstein, and to computer technology via the master's thesis of C. E. Shannon (1937), who recognized that the true/false values in Boole's two-valued algebra were analogous to the open and closed states of electric circuits. This invention of the binary digit or "bit" made possible the development of the digital computer' (Norman).
'Since Boole showed that logics can be reduced to very simple algebraic systems — known today as Boolean Algebras — it was possible for Babbage and his successors to design organs for a computer that could perform the necessary logical tasks. Thus our debt to this simple, quiet man, George Boole, is extraordinarily great... His remark about a "special law to which the symbols of quantity are not subject" is very important: this law in effect is that 2 = for every in his system. Now in numerical terms this equation or law has as its only solution 0 and 1. This is why the binary system plays so vital a role in modern computers: their logical parts are in effect carrying out binary operations' (Goldstine).
First edition, presumed first issue; 8vo (22 x 14.5 cm); errata to rear, no ads, contents leaf verso incorrectly numbered iv; modern half-calf gilt, marbled boards, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece to spine, minor retoration to upper and lower gutter-margin of title, minor spotting to first few ff. and occasionally thereafter, a very good copy; [2], viii(?), 424, [2]pp.
Norman 266; Origins of Cyberspace 224.
'The design of the following treatise is to investigate the fundamental laws of those operations of the mind by which the reasoning is performed; to give expression to them in the symbolical language of a Calculus, and upon this foundation to establish the science of Logic and construct its method' (p.1).
'Boole invented the first practical system of logic in algebraic form, which enabled more advances in logic to be made in the decades of the nineteenth century than in the twenty-two centuries preceding. Boole's work led to the creation of set theory and probability theory in mathematics, to the philosophical work of Peirce, Russell, Whitehead and Wittgenstein, and to computer technology via the master's thesis of C. E. Shannon (1937), who recognized that the true/false values in Boole's two-valued algebra were analogous to the open and closed states of electric circuits. This invention of the binary digit or "bit" made possible the development of the digital computer' (Norman).
'Since Boole showed that logics can be reduced to very simple algebraic systems — known today as Boolean Algebras — it was possible for Babbage and his successors to design organs for a computer that could perform the necessary logical tasks. Thus our debt to this simple, quiet man, George Boole, is extraordinarily great... His remark about a "special law to which the symbols of quantity are not subject" is very important: this law in effect is that 2 = for every in his system. Now in numerical terms this equation or law has as its only solution 0 and 1. This is why the binary system plays so vital a role in modern computers: their logical parts are in effect carrying out binary operations' (Goldstine).
First edition, presumed first issue; 8vo (22 x 14.5 cm); errata to rear, no ads, contents leaf verso incorrectly numbered iv; modern half-calf gilt, marbled boards, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece to spine, minor retoration to upper and lower gutter-margin of title, minor spotting to first few ff. and occasionally thereafter, a very good copy; [2], viii(?), 424, [2]pp.
Norman 266; Origins of Cyberspace 224.
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