The Language of Symmetry. Edited by Rattigan, Noble & Hatta
‘The Language of Symmetry takes the reader on a fascinating interdisciplinary tour of the various different ways in which both classical symmetry and the order-chaos dichotomy are understood to apply in hugely diverse contexts… The book makes it abundantly clear, and in an engaging manner, that a synergy and even an interdependency between order and chaos underlies many aspects of the Universe.’ Peter L Read, Emeritus Professor of Physics, Oxford University
‘This is, without doubt, a stimulating and challenging book. It presents novel (even outrageous) concepts and produces evidence to support them. It challenges some of our mostly deeply embedded notions of how nature works at all levels… A brave attempt to elevate the ideas of order, disorder, and stochasticity to the level that they deserve. This is a book to be read and re-read slowly and to be thought about deeply.’ Ken Peach, Emeritus Professor of Physics, Oxford University
'Finding that there is a fundamental symmetry between order and disorder that can run through all our explanations is like discovering a clarification that was always waiting there to be revealed.’ BigThink: A Surprise New Theory of Everything
‘A remarkable book that releases an intellectual depth charge. It will go bang but there will need to be time and exposure to know what submarines it hits and what flotsam and jetsam float to the surface as a result… There is an almost comic degree to which a tiny book review can’t convey what has been achieved here.’ QUAD: The Oxford Alumni Journal
Forthcoming publication: Edge of Chaos: Unveiling Life's Hidden Law
'What if the keys to resilience, creativity, and lasting change are found not in pure order or chaos, but precisely at their edge? In Edge of Chaos, philosopher and systems theorist Red Rattigan unveils dynamic symmetry—a groundbreaking framework that reveals how life, nature, and society thrive at the shifting threshold between stability and unpredictability.
'Drawing on stunning insights from cosmology, biology, the arts, and everyday life, Rattigan weaves together ancient wisdom and cutting-edge science to show why adaptability flourishes where order and chaos meet. From the emergence of galaxies to the improvisation of creative teams, this book maps the secret patterns that underlie innovation, collaboration, and renewal across every domain.
'Packed with vivid case studies and practical strategies, Edge of Chaos is both a visionary guide and a hands-on toolkit for navigating complexity—whether in science, policy, education, or personal life. With clarity and conviction, Rattigan invites readers to embrace uncertainty, turning disruption into opportunity and flourishing at the generative frontier where the future is always being made.
'Discover the universal principle that governs adaptive living—and learn how to master the art of thriving at the edge of chaos.'