Mathematics for Human Flourishing

Francis Su, Christopher Jackson

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Hardback

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Yale University
15 February 2020

Teaching of a specific subject; Mathematics & Sciences; Mathematics; History of mathematics; Educational: Mathematics & numeracy

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 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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By: Francis Su
Contributions by: Christopher Jackson
Imprint: Yale University
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 212mm, Width: 150mm, Spine: 26mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9780300237139
ISBN 10: 0300237138
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 15 February 2020
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Francis Su is the Benediktsson-Karwa Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College and the past president of the Mathematical Association of America. In 2013, he received the Haimo Award, a nationwide teaching prize for college math faculty, and in 2018 he won the Halmos-Ford writing award for the highly-acclaimed speech on which this book is based. His work has been featured in Quanta Magazine, Wired, and the New York Times.

Reviews for Mathematics for Human Flourishing

A celebration of mathematics and the human spirit. Learning mathematics enriches our lives, and Su wants everyone to have a seat at the banquet. -Edward Scheinerman, author of The Mathematics Lover's Companion Francis Su has written a lyrical meditation on the beauty of mathematics and how it connects to our common humanity. -John Urschel, author of Mind and Matter: A Life in Math and Football Francis Su believes that math can make us better humans-and he leads by example. Every page is a work of generosity and compassion. Plus, the puzzles will haunt you for weeks. -Ben Orlin, author of Math with Bad Drawings A delightful mixture of philosophy, mathematical illustrations, and compassion. I would recommend it both to a general audience and to mathematicians. -John Cook, Singular Value Consulting Mathematics is an experience of the mind and, most important, of the heart. And to this point, this is perhaps the most important mathematics book of our time. -James Tanton, Global Math Project