Proof Against Itself - by Neil Alexander Doherty (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A playful but rigorous journey through paradoxes--where logic meets poetry.

Paradox is a guided tour of puzzles that have shaped logic, science, economics, mathematics, and philosophy--told in verse and unpacked in prose. Each paradox is introduced as a formally rhymed poem, followed by a concise explanation that makes the underlying idea clear without sacrificing rigor. Along the way, readers encounter liars and barbers, time-travelers and twins, markets that fail because they work too well, infinities that misbehave, and arguments that collapse under their own logic. Some paradoxes are resolved; others are not. All are illuminating.

About the Author

Neil Doherty is Professor Emeritus of Economics at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He taught decision theory and logic-based modeling for over 30 years. After retiring, he turned to formal poetry and has written hundreds of poems on topics ranging from history to science, ethics, and childhood memory.