| Description |
1 online resource (x, 274 pages) : illustrations |
| Contents |
1. Flourishing -- 2. Exploration -- 3. Meaning -- 4. Play -- 5. Beauty -- 6. Permanence -- 7. Truth -- 8. Struggle -- 9. Power -- 10. Justice -- 11. Freedom -- 12. Community -- 13. Love |
| Summary |
An inclusive vision of mathematics--its beauty, its humanity, and its power to build virtues that help us all flourish. For mathematician Francis Su, a society without mathematical affection is like a city without 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 diverse audience but especially for those disenchanted by their past experiences, an award-winning mathematician and educator weaves personal reflections, puzzles, and stories to show how mathematics meets basic human desires and cultivates virtues essential for human flourishing. Readers will explore mathematical concepts--and see how mathematical thinking can even fulfill such longings as for love, play, freedom, justice, and community. Some lessons come 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 Jackson's letters to the author appear throughout the book and show how this intellectual pursuit can--and must--be open to all |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 247-262) and index |
| Notes |
Description based on online resource, title from digital title page (viewed on September 16, 2020) |
| Subject |
Mathematics -- Philosophy.
|
|
Mathematics -- Social aspects.
|
|
MATHEMATICS -- History & Philosophy.
|
|
Mathematics -- Social aspects
|
|
Mathematics -- Philosophy
|
| Form |
Electronic book
|
| Author |
Jackson, Christopher, 1985 or 1986- writer of supplementary textual content.
|
| ISBN |
9780300248814 |
|
0300248814 |
|
