Dr. John F. Loase makes a case for the liberal arts based on the uncertainty of what we know

NEW YORK — Sunbury Press has released John F. Loase’s latest book The Power of Uncertainty: A Case for the Liberal Arts.

About the Book:
The new book by Dr. John Loase, The Power of Uncertainty – A Case for the Liberal Arts, demonstrates the positive effects of recognizing and appreciating the illumination we could experience in recognizing and admitting uncertainty in all human endeavors. This valuable new book illuminates uncertainty in many areas, including a variety of mathematical and scientific ideas and extends to the recognition of the human advantage implicit in questioning our certitude regarding, for example, our religious beliefs (or total non-beliefs), the dangerousness of our many prejudices and convictions concerning free will or the capacity for redemption or progress of those “other” human beings or nations that we often conclude are so really “different” from ourselves. The richness of his examples and arguments inevitably leads to a discussion of the meaning, power and all-encompassing humanity of philosophy, literature, film, as well as all the arts, because respecting and understanding the expressions of all mankind truly unfastens the binding chains of our often unchallenged assurances and prejudices.  (Louis Rotando)

Contents:
Part 1 – Pure Mathematics
Chapter 0 – The Uncertainty Quotient Test
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Chapter 2 – My Uncertainty History
Chapter 3 – 1 + 1 = 2
Chapter 4 – Is Mathematics Discovered or Invented?
Chapter 5 – Uncertainty Defeats Hitler
Chapter 6 – The Current State of the Irrationals
Chapter 7 – Uncertainty Revisited
Part 2 – Impure Mathematics – Statistics and Science
Chapter 8 – Impure Mathematics
Chapter 9 – Probability
Chapter 10 – Averages
Chapter 11 – Variance
Chapter 12 – Central Limit Theorem
Chapter 13 – Confidence Intervals
Chapter 14 – The #1 Topic in Elementary Statistics – Correlation
Chapter 15 – Prediction – Linear Regression
Chapter 16 – Bayesian Statistics
Chapter 17 – Science
Chapter 18 – Free Will vs. Determinism
Chapter 19 – Why Liberal Arts?
Chapter 20 – Literature and Film
Chapter 21 – Psychology
Chapter 22 – Language

Excerpt:
Take the Uncertainty Quotient Test on the next page. Do not, may I repeat, do not turn to the Introduction or any of the tempting intellectual morsels that follow.

Redundancy is the key to getting a message across. Now turn the page and take the Uncertainty Quotient Test.

Uncertainty Quotient Test

Please give a ranking from 1 to 5 for each of the following statements.

1 – Certainly True
1 – Certainly False
2 – Likely True
2 – Likely False
3 – Moderately Uncertain
4 – Deeply Uncertain
5 – Completely Uncertain

_____ 1. 1 + 1 = 2
_____ 2. We discover mathematics in the same way we progress in science.
_____ 3. Our language simply expresses our thoughts.
_____ 4. Science rests on a secure foundation in mathematics.
_____ 5. We freely choose our direction in life.
_____ 6. Our 18-25 year olds are narcissists.
_____ 7. Calculus is free of controversy.
_____ 8. Death and taxes are certain.
_____ 9. My job has valid qualifications.
_____ 10. Assessment improves teaching.
_____ 11. Prescription drugs have been proven effective.
_____ 12. The higher your level of education, the higher your level of certainty.
_____ 13. I have a clear set of values.
_____ 14. Mathematics is certain truth.
_____ 15. The Uncertainty Quotient Test is sound.

Please rate yourself from 1 to 5 on each of the fifteen items. Your lowest possible score is 15. Your highest possible score is 75.

Keep this score in a safe place. Write it on your hand with permanent marker if you are prone to losing things. This is your uncertainty quotient.

About the Author:
John Loase serves as Professor and Chair of Mathematics at Concordia College-NY. He earned the only doctorate Columbia University Teachers College has ever awarded in mathematics (mentor Dr. Bruce Vogeli) and Psychology (mentor the late Dr. Richard Wolf). John is equally at home in Mathematics or the Arts. His eighth book, The Sigfluence Generation: Our Young People’s Potential to Transform America, won a Silver Medal in the Benjamin Franklin National Contest and is free at sigfluence.com. John directed the National Science Foundation sponsored initiative Mathematical Modeling from 1992-1996. His text Statistical Modeling with SPSS was an outgrowth of this NSF grant and has been accepted for 2015 publication by COMAP- the world leader in Mathematical Modeling. The Power of Uncertainty was written for us to add a healthy dose of uncertainty to myriad dimensions of our lives.

The Power of Uncertainty: A Case for the Liberal Arts
Authored by Dr. John F Loase
List Price: $14.95
5.5″ x 8.5″ (13.97 x 21.59 cm)
Black & White on White paper
152 pages
Sunbury Press, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-1620064856
ISBN-10: 1620064855
BISAC: Mathematics / History & Philosophy

For more information, please see: http://www.sunburypressstore.com/The-Power-of-Uncertainty…