Duration and Change

A volume containing original essays from quite diverse fields in mathematics is something of a rarity, especially if renowned scientists show the width of their discipline to the reader. This book is just such a rarity - a veritable gem. It was written to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the mathematical research institute at Oberwolfach. The articles span a range of topics from general reflections on the place of mathematics in contemporary culture to essays dealing with aspects of algebra, an