Mathematics
by Morris Kline · first published 1962
7mentions
6recommended by
7HN commenters
2011–2022first – last mentioned
86% recommend14% neutral
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I'm not much of a mathematician, but I found "Mathematics: The Loss of Certainty" by Morris Kline (http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Loss-Certainty-Oxford-Pape...) very insightful in regards to the development and current state of mathematics. A brief synopsis:…
on “The Universe Is Made of Mathematics” ↗…criteria for what constitutes a rigorous proof continually evolves, and has undergone tremendous change since Euclid. Morris Kline has a good semi-popular account of this history [http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Loss-Certainty-Galaxy-Book...].
on “An ABC proof too tough even for mathematicians” ↗This discussion seems like an apt place to drop Morris Kline's "Mathematics: The Loss of Certainty" (https://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Loss-Certainty-Oxford-Pap...). As a non-mathematician whose only exposure with a lot of these ideas is through that book, I can't help but see…
on “The Foundations of Mathematics (2007) [pdf]” ↗Currently reading Morris Kline’s “Loss of certainty” - a beautiful very readable work that elucidates the relationship of Mathematics with concepts of ‘truth’ and ‘reality’ throughout mathematical history. https://www.amazon.com/dp/0195030850/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_aJ...
on “Gödel's Completeness Theorem” ↗There is a passing mention of Diderot in this book I'm currently reading - Mathematics, the loss of certainity by Morris Kline. It is quite fascinating to see how his view on Mathematics in 1750s was similar to that of the 20th century formalists.
on “A Man Who Questioned Everything” ↗"Mathematics for the Non-Mathematician" - Morris Kline. An oldie but a goodie. Don't expect a gripping writing style. Actually, don't expect to read more than a few sections at a time. But if you get through it you…
on “Ask HN: What is the best thing you read in 2022?” ↗"all humans ... believe in the assertion that true things can be known" Actually, there are a minority who do not believe that. I take Richard Dawkins and Morris Kline ("Mathematics: The Loss of Certainty") as representing themselves accurately, even if I believe their positions to be incorrect. See Martin Gardner's essay "How Not to Talk About Mathematics".
on “Doubting at the door: when it's right to be wrong. (For the lesswrong crowd.)” ↗