The Emperor's New Mind : Concerning Computers, Minds, and the Laws of Physics

One of Jim Al-Khalili's Top 10 Science books

Penrose is best known for his work with Stephen Hawking on black holes and the Big Bang (not to mention winning a Nobel Prize two years ago). But The Emperor's New Mind inspired scientists across many disciplines, from quantum physics to computer science, artificial intelligence and philosophy. It is still one of my favourite popular science books. .

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For many decades, the proponents of `artificial intelligence' have maintained that computers will soon be able to do everything that a human can do. In his bestselling work of popular science, Sir Roger Penrose takes us on a fascinating tour through the basic principles of physics, cosmology, mathematics, and philosophy to show that human thinking can never be emulated by a machine. Oxford Landmark Science books are 'must-read' classics of modern science writing which have crystallized big ideas, and shaped the way we think.