商品描述
Winner 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.
商品描述(中文翻譯)
榮獲美國數學協會（Mathematical Association of America）2021 年 Euler 圖書獎。本書以包容的視角呈現數學——它的美、它的人性，以及它培養美德、幫助我們所有人蓬勃發展的力量。
「這或許是我們這個時代最重要的數學書籍。Francis Su 展現了數學是一種心智的體驗，更重要的是一種心靈的體驗。」——James Tanton，Global Math Project
「一本好書讀來引人入勝；一本偉大的書則會像一面鏡子，讓我們更清楚地看見自己，以及我們所生活的世界。Francis Su 的《Mathematics for Human Flourishing》既是一本好書，也是一本偉大的書。」——《MAA Reviews》
對數學家 Francis Su 而言，一個缺乏數學熱愛的社會，就像一座沒有音樂會、公園或博物館的城市。錯過數學，就等於活著卻無法體驗人類最美麗的一些思想。
在這本深刻的著作中，這位屢獲殊榮的數學家與教育家，面向廣大讀者，尤其是那些因過往經驗而對數學失去興趣的人，以寓言、謎題和個人反思交織成篇，展現數學如何回應人類對遊戲、美、自由、正義與愛等基本需求，並培養人類蓬勃發展不可或缺的美德。這些需求與美德，以及本書所述的故事，都揭示了數學與「成為人」這件事之間密不可分的關係。
有些啟示來自那些曾經歷艱難奮鬥的人，包括哲學家 Simone Weil；她自身在數學上的貢獻，曾被弟弟的成就掩蓋。另一位是 Christopher Jackson，他在聯邦監獄服刑期間發現了數學。Christopher 寫給作者的信件散見於全書各處，展現這項智識追求如何能夠——也必須——向所有人開放。
作者簡介
Francis Su is the Benediktsson-Karwa Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, an award-winning math educator, and the past president of the Mathematical Association of America. His work has been featured in Quanta Magazine, Wired, and the New York Times.
作者簡介(中文翻譯)
Francis Su 是 Harvey Mudd College 的 Benediktsson-Karwa 數學教授、屢獲殊榮的數學教育家，也是 Mathematical Association of America 的前任會長。他的研究成果曾獲 Quanta Magazine、Wired 與 New York Times 報導。
