Mathematics Without ApologiesMichael Harris
Mathematics Without Apologies
by Michael Harris · first published 2015
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3recommended by
3HN commenters
2015–2024first – last mentioned
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…whole book exists to counter lazy cultural relativism of the "maybe we don't like X, but if they do it, it must be for a good reason and it must be a useful adaptation for them" kind. Michael Harris, Mathematics Without Apologies. A very eclectic and idiosyncratic book by a mathematician on the sociology and epistemology of mathematics as a discipline. To be appreciated for its wealth of ideas and references to other interesting…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2015?” ↗While Hardy's book is still relevant, there is a more modern attempt at answering the same questions for those interested: Mathematics without Apologies: Portrait of a Problematic Vocation by Michael Harris.
on “A Mathematician’s Apology” ↗…months from Sergio De La Pava) has a math-ish title but I doubt it will actually contain much math. Michael Harris -- a mathematician who wrote a review of the DFW Infinity book -- has a book called "Mathematics Without Apologies", which I liked, though it's non-fiction. There is also "Birth of a Theorem" by Fields medalist Cedric Villani which is an interesting read -- not fiction, but it is experimental in many respects and…
on “Infinite Proofs: The Effects of Mathematics on David Foster Wallace (2012)” ↗