"All of us have a certain conception of what symmetry means, at least as far as its main forms are concerned (like mirror-reflection or rotation, but only rarely translation). This is the first comprehensive book on the topic since the publication of H. Weyl's popular book on symmetry more than fifty years ago. It is relevant to almost all fields of science where symmetry appears as a phenomenon or is applied as a method, and where the concept is present in contemporary sciences, humanities and arts." "As is demanded by the formulation of the fundamental knowledge for a new discipline, the book keeps to scientific standards. It exceeds the limits of popular science, and is formulated at a university level. Although it presumes the knowledge of an averageuniversity student, it avoids difficult mathematical formulations in order to make the subject understandable for adherents of other disciplines."--BOOK JACKET.