An Introduction to Functional Programming Through Lambda Calculus vs Rationality: From AI to Zombies
When comparing An Introduction to Functional Programming Through Lambda Calculus vs Rationality: From AI to Zombies, the Slant community recommends Rationality: From AI to Zombies for most people. In the question“What are the most influential books every programmer should read?” Rationality: From AI to Zombies is ranked 22nd while An Introduction to Functional Programming Through Lambda Calculus is ranked 43rd. The most important reason people chose Rationality: From AI to Zombies is:
Your intelligence is being used to defeat itself. Learn how to stop that.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Works with most programming languages
Lambda calculus can be done with paper and pencil, but any programming language with lambda (like Python) can work with it.
Pro Hard to put down
Learn how to build a functional programming language from first principles.
Pro Non-technical
This book doesn't assume any kind of math or programming knowledge beyond elementary school.
Pro Will make you smarter
Your intelligence is being used to defeat itself. Learn how to stop that.
Pro Mindblowing ideas
From (friendly) AI to (philosophical) zombies. Also Pebblesorters. And why humans are insane.
Pro Fictional interludes
These are quality science fiction short stories in their own right.
Pro Funny
Pro Engaging
Cons
Con Hard to pick up
The first chapter is reportedly not so good.
Con Not enough citations
Just Google it.
Con Has some highly technical references in places
Things like physics (relativity, quantum mechanics), mathematics and computer programming. Scared? Didn't think so.
Con Long
The chapters are relatively short and digestible essays and short stories. The problem: there are 333 of them. On paper, this would take volumes, but this is an ebook. You'll get a lot out of it long before you finish though.