Signifying Nothing: The Semiotics of Zero

This book portrays the introduction of the mathematical sign zero as a major signifying event, both within the writing of numbers and as an emblem of parallel events in other sign systems."This unusual book is a delightful analysis of the nature of zero as a sign intimately connected to the idea of nothing. Rotman draws interesting parallels using the textual code systems of mathematics, painting, and economic exchange and their respective meta-signs - zero, the vainishing point, imaginary money - which represent the absence of certain signs. Focusing on the Renaissance period, the author argues that the introduction of a meta-sign disrupts a code system and prompts the creating of new sign systems, as represented by the multifarious transitions from Roman to Hindu numerals, from iconic to perspective art, and from gold money to imaginary band money. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach... Rotaman builds a viable thesis for the semiotics of zero via a thorough examination of Montaigne's 'Essay's, Shakespeare's 'King Lear', the 'Kabbalah', and Vermeer's paintings." - Choice"Rotman's book is a tapestry of delicate elaborations on a single beautiful idea, revealing the isomorpphisms between the changes which occur in symbol systems... In Mathematics a program of 'deconstruction' has definite philosophical appeal. The fascinating richness of this book arises from the way exactly the same semiotic transformations are traced in other symbol systems." - Radical Philosophy