[RightWhale]

I am not worried that Wolfram might not have the answer and that he might have fallen prey to reductionism. He is trying for reductionism in a way, as do many theoretical physicists. Generalize by reducing.

If he is following Buddhism, that is not surprising. Several physicists I know are or call themselves Buddhists, and they are the quickest, most awesome physicists, nothing pedantic about them.

[betty boop]

I am not worried that Wolfram might not have the answer and that he might have fallen prey to reductionism. He is trying for reductionism in a way, as do many theoretical physicists. Generalize by reducing.

I don't mean to suggest that what Wolfram does in this extraordinary book is worthless. Quite the contrary. I might like his methods, but still be unconvinced by some of the inferences he draws from his conclusions.

IMHO A New Kind of Science is simply a great and in many ways exceptionally elegant book. It has pride of place on my #1 bookshelf, right up there with the volumes of Eric Voegelin. And that's saying a lot, believe me. :^)