Penrose, Roger (1931–)

English mathematical physicist famous for his important contributions to cosmology and the physics of black holes, for his controversial views on the nature of human consciousness and its relationship to quantum mechanics, and for his work in the field of recreational mathematics.

The Penrose tiling and the Penrose triangle are named after him, but not the Penrose stairway, which is named after his father. In his book The Emperor's New Mind¹ he argues that there must be errors in the known laws of physics, notably in quantum mechanics, and that true artificial intelligence is impossible. The latter claim is based on his assertion that humans can do things outside the power of formal logic systems, such as knowing the truth of unprovable statements, or solving the halting problem (claims that were originally made by the philosopher John Lucas of Merton College, Oxford). These are controversial views, with which most of the mathematical and computer science communities disagree.

Reference

Penrose Roger. The Emperor's New Mind. New York: Oxford University Press, 1989.

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• MATHEMATICIANS

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