Mathematics for Human FlourishingWinner of the Mathematics Association of America's 2021 Euler Book Prize, this is an inclusive vision of mathematics—its beauty, its humanity, and its power to build virtues that help us all flourish“This is perhaps the most important mathematics book of our time. Francis Su shows mathematics is an experience of the mind and, most important, of the heart.”—James Tanton, Global Math Project"A good book is an entertaining read. A great book holds up a mirror that allows us to more clearly see ourselves and the world we live in. Francis Su’s Mathematics for Human Flourishing is both a good book and a great book."—MAA Reviews For mathematician Francis Su, a society without mathematical affection is like a city without concerts, parks, or museums. To miss out on mathematics is to live without experiencing some of humanity’s most beautiful ideas.In this profound book, written for a wide audience but especially for those disenchanted by their past experiences, an award‑winning mathematician and educator weaves parables, puzzles, and personal reflections to show how mathematics meets basic human desires—such as for play, beauty, freedom, justice, and love—and cultivates virtues essential for human flourishing. These desires and virtues, and the stories told here, reveal how mathematics is intimately tied to being human. Some lessons emerge from those who have struggled, including philosopher Simone Weil, whose own mathematical contributions were overshadowed by her brother’s, and Christopher Jackson, who discovered mathematics as an inmate in a federal prison. Christopher’s letters to the author appear throughout the book and show how this intellectual pursuit can—and must—be open to all. |
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User Review - fpagan - LibraryThingDoes mathematics have eudaemonistic value? Su certainly thinks so, defining the discipline as "the science of patterns nd the art of engaging the meaning of those patterns." His chapters are entitled ... Read full review
Contents
meaning | |
play | |
beauty | |
permanence | |
truth | |
power | |
justice | |
freedom | |
community | |
love | |
epilogue | |
acknowledgments | |
struggle | |
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Common terms and phrases
ability activity algebra answer beauty become begin believe better build called cards Chris configuration connected Consider create creative cultural deck deep describe desire don’t encourage example experience fact feel flourishing freedom geometry give going grow happens hope human ideas imagination important insight instance interesting it’s kind knowledge learning less live look math explorer mathematician mathematics meaning move multiple never object patterns person play player points possible practice probability problem professor proof puzzle questions realize reason reflect result sense share shuffle Simone skill solution solve someone sometimes space speak squares story struggle surprise talk teachers teaching tell theorem theory things thought true truth understand University virtues wonder York
Bibliographic information
| Title | Mathematics for Human Flourishing |
| Author | Francis Su |
| Contributor | Christopher Jackson |
| Edition | unabridged |
| Publisher | Yale University Press, 2020 |
| ISBN | 0300248814, 9780300248814 |
| Length | 256 pages |
| Subjects | › › › Education / Teaching / Subjects / Mathematics Mathematics / History & Philosophy Mathematics / Study & Teaching |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |