MathFiction: The Ethical Equations (Murray Leinster)

a list compiled by Alex Kasman (College of Charleston)

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The Ethical Equations (1945)

Murray Leinster
(click on names to see more mathematical fiction by the same author)
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Contributed by "William E. Emba"

Mathematics is invoked several times to formalize `what goes round, comes around' as if it were a law of nature. 100% hokey. The only thing worse than the bad math is the bad science.

Of separate interest is the story's (pre-1948) reference to `bit of information'. Leinster of course only meant `bit' as in "small amount", but it reads entirely modernly.

Published in Astounding magazine in June 1945.

More information about this work can be found at www.amazon.com.
(Note: This is just one work of mathematical fiction from the list. To see the entire list or to see more works of mathematical fiction, return to the Homepage.)

Works Similar to The Ethical Equations

According to my `secret formula', the following works of mathematical fiction are similar to this one:

The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin
The Fourth-Dimensional Demonstrator by Murray Leinster
The Fifth-Dimension Catapult by Murray Leinster
Sidewise in Time by Murray Leinster
Sanatoris Short-Cut by Jack Vance
Inflexible Logic by Russell Maloney
Blowups Happen by Robert A. Heinlein
Misfit by Robert A. Heinlein
Vault of the Beast by Alfred Elton van Vogt
Mimsy Were the Borogoves by Lewis Padgett (aka Henry Kuttner and Catherine L. Moore)

Ratings for The Ethical Equations:

Ratings

Have you seen/read this work of mathematical fiction? Then click here to enter your own votes on its mathematical content and literary quality or send me comments to post on this Webpage.

Mathematical Content:
1.5/5 (2 votes)

Literary Quality:
2.5/5 (2 votes)

Categories:

Genre	Science Fiction,
Motif
Topic
Medium	Short Stories,

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Where are the new works of mathematical fiction?: As you can see from this chronological listing, this database includes many works of mathematical fiction for each year from 1990 to 2025. Strangely, only two are listed for 2026, so far. Either less mathematical fiction is being published than in previous years or I'm just having more trouble finding it. If you know of any works of fiction that should be added to this list, especially recently published ones, please let me know. (Keep in mind that I do not include self-published works or children's fiction that just covers elementary mathematical concepts.) Thanks!

(Maintained by Alex Kasman, College of Charleston)