Our understanding of the universe rests on three pillars, which were discovered during the twentieth century. The theory of relativity, quantum mechanics and chaos theory. These three key concepts shape our lives every day, even if we do not always grasp the significance.

The chaos theory was discovered by Edward Lorenz when he performed as a meteorologist at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). In 1963, he discovered that only three variables to cause a chaotic behavior, demonstrating that dynamic both highly complex and unpredictable could occur following the introduction of a very limited data. According to his reasoning, the complexity may be inherent in a system, then we previously thought it was due to accidental intake due to a multitude

This concept, which definitively buried determinism to Descartes, had already been approached by the French mathematician Henri Poincaré in the nineteenth century, but could be clearly demonstrated. Edward Lorenz, he describes the phenomenon mathematically and help of the computer, introduced the concept of strange attractor, a curve that shows all possible states of a complex system.

In 1972, Edward Lorenz presents his findings in a study entitled: "Predictability: Does the flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil can cause a tornado in Texas?". This sentence will quickly around the world, immortalizing its author.

"By showing that certain deterministic systems have their limits of predictability, Edward Lorenz drove the final nail in the coffin of the Cartesian universe and fomented what some have called the third scientific revolution of the 20th century after that of relativity and quantum mechanics, "says Kerry Emanuel, professor of atmospheric science at MIT.

Chaos is everywhere

The scope of the discovery of chaos theory is immense, and affects both mathematics more indirectly biology, physics and even social sciences. One consequence has been to demonstrate the impossibility of predicting the time it will be beyond one to two weeks away, the probability rate of accuracy of forecasts collapsing beyond a reasonable period .

Edward Lorenz was a graduate in mathematics from Harvard University (1940) and received a doctorate in meteorology from MIT in 1948. He received in 2004 Buys Ballot Medal (awarded by the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences Netherlands) for his invaluable contribution to meteorology.