Self-reference applies to ideas that loops inward (outward?) on themselves.
Some examples:
This sentence is false. Seeing one's own eyeballs (without using a mirror). Brushing the bristles of a brush with that same brush.
Hofstadter compares the works of three geniuses: Kurt Godel in the domain of pure mathematics, M. C. Escher in the world of fine art, and Johann Sebastian Bach in the realm of western classical music. The similarities are, indeed, surprising and impressive.
All three masters dealt with the concept of circular self-reference, but in different ways. Godel proved the illogical nature of mathematics (which is, itself, based on logic); Escher was famous for stairs that climbed upward to the bottom of the stairs and identical tessellating foreground and background images that seem, somehow, to "cause" each other; Bach would take a short series of notes, and then invert the same motif, play it backwards, string these versions together, etc.
The book is highly intriguing, almost addictive. But it isn't for the faint-of-heart or faint-of-mind. I tried to finish it. Wasn't able to. Made me dizzy. Read it at your own risk.
Buy GEB here.
This sentence is false. Seeing one's own eyeballs (without using a mirror). Brushing the bristles of a brush with that same brush.
Hofstadter compares the works of three geniuses: Kurt Godel in the domain of pure mathematics, M. C. Escher in the world of fine art, and Johann Sebastian Bach in the realm of western classical music. The similarities are, indeed, surprising and impressive.
All three masters dealt with the concept of circular self-reference, but in different ways. Godel proved the illogical nature of mathematics (which is, itself, based on logic); Escher was famous for stairs that climbed upward to the bottom of the stairs and identical tessellating foreground and background images that seem, somehow, to "cause" each other; Bach would take a short series of notes, and then invert the same motif, play it backwards, string these versions together, etc.
The book is highly intriguing, almost addictive. But it isn't for the faint-of-heart or faint-of-mind. I tried to finish it. Wasn't able to. Made me dizzy. Read it at your own risk.
Buy GEB here.
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