G. Spencer-BrownCritiques

Prior to the vogue of fractal geometry, Laws of Form was conceded by many to be the trippiest math book around. Reading a passage at random out of context might leave one wondering whether the text was political theory, aesthetics, or some other form of philosophy. In his efforts to explicate a Boolean arithmetic underlying the algebra of formal logic, Spencer-Brown works in a conceptually "degenerate" environment where one must attempt to understand the sparest ideas without any systemic framing. The results are positively mystical.

"[F]or any boundary, to recross is not to cross." Thelemites will recognize a more rigorous exposition of what Aleister Crowley attempted to express by 0 = 2.

Start with nothing. Add a boundary.

From there, Spencer-Brown rigorously develops boolean algebra and by extrapolation, general algebra and the basis of mathematics. I love it when I get down to first principals. And you can't get much baser than nothing plus a boundary.

Written 40 years ago by G. Spencer Brown. I use passages as fine samples of how we attach and learn so much more while attached. We do hope to attach, and not cling, and prosper while our attachment works. Attachment as offered by Diana Fosha and Winnicot.