A New Kind of Science

A New Kind of Science is the work of British physicist and mathematician Stephen Wolfram.

It is applied as an empirical study of dynamic systems, such as cellular automata. Wolfram calls the studied systems he simple programs and argues that the methods for the study of these programs have epistemological significance for other research fields such as biology, physics and social sciences.

Wolfram's theories are controversial in the scientific community and have often provoked criticism. The book was a bestseller when it appeared in 2002.

Reception

A New Kind of Science has undergone a comparatively great deal of media attention in the English-speaking world and has been reviewed in articles by The New York Times, Newsweek, Wired, and The Economist.

In addition, it was reviewed in scientific periodicals, where it was criticized for his modesty and lack of original ideas. Other reviews talk about stimulating new ideas.

Wolfram himself has responded in various blog postings.