From the INTRODUCTION. AN eminent mathematician once remarked that he was never satisfied with his knowledge of a mathematical theory until he could explain it to the next man he met in the street. That is hardly exaggerated; however, we must remember that a satisfactory explanation entails duties on both sides. Any one of us has the right to ask of a mathematician, "What is the use of mathematics?" Any one may, I think and will try to show, rightly suppose that a satisfactory answer, if such an answer is anyhow possible, ...
Read More
From the INTRODUCTION. AN eminent mathematician once remarked that he was never satisfied with his knowledge of a mathematical theory until he could explain it to the next man he met in the street. That is hardly exaggerated; however, we must remember that a satisfactory explanation entails duties on both sides. Any one of us has the right to ask of a mathematician, "What is the use of mathematics?" Any one may, I think and will try to show, rightly suppose that a satisfactory answer, if such an answer is anyhow possible, can be given in quite simple terms. Even men of a most abstract science, such as mathematics or philosophy, are chiefly adapted for the ends of ordinary life; when they think, they think, at the bottom, like other men. They are often more highly trained, and have a technical facility for thinking that comes partly from practice and partly from the use of the contrivances for correct and rapid thought given by the signs and rules for dealing with them that mathematics and modern logic provide. But there is no real reason why, with patience, an ordinary person should not understand, speaking broadly, what mathematicians do, why they do it, and what, so far as we know at present, mathematics is. Patience, then, is what may rightly be demanded of the inquirer. And this really implies that the question is not merely a rhetorical one an expression of irritation or skepticism put in the form of a question for the sake of some fancied effect. If Mr. A. dislikes the higher mathematics because he rightly perceives that they will not help him in the grocery business, he asks disgustedly, "What's the use of mathematics?" and does not wait for an answer, but turns his attention to grumbling at the lateness of his dinner. Now, we will admit at once that higher mathematics is of no more use in the grocery trade than the grocery trade is in the navigation of a ship; but that is no reason why we should condemn mathematics as entirely useless. I remember reading a speech made by an eminent surgeon, who wished, laudably enough, to spread the cause of elementary surgical instruction. "The higher mathematics," said he with great satisfaction to himself, "do not help you to bind up a broken leg!" Obviously they do not; but it is equally obvious that surgery does not help us to add up accounts; ... or even to think logically, or to accomplish the closely allied feat of seeing a joke....
Read Less
Add this copy of The Nature of Mathematics to cart. $3.51, good condition, Sold by Books From California rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Simi Valley, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Hardpress Publishing.
Add this copy of The Nature of Mathematics (Dover Books on Mathematics) to cart. $8.00, like new condition, Sold by Satellite Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Burlington, VT, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Dover Publications.
Add this copy of The Nature of Mathematics (Dover Books on Mathematics) to cart. $10.82, very good condition, Sold by Lake Country Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Excelsior, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Dover Publications, Inc.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Near Fine in None as issued jacket. Size: 5x0x8; Excellent paperback copy, clean, solid with unmarked text. Cover has mild surface and edge wear. Binding is tight and square; no creases to spine or cover. Books, box sets, and items other than standard jewel case CDs and DVDs that sell for $9 or more ship in a box; under $9 in a bubble mailer. Expedited and international orders may ship in a flat rate envelope rather than a box due to cost constraints. All US-addressed items ship with complimentary delivery confirmation.
Add this copy of The Nature of Mathematics to cart. $13.70, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2022 by Legare Street Press.
Add this copy of The Nature of Mathematics to cart. $25.72, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2022 by Legare Street Press.
Add this copy of The Nature of Mathematics to cart. $27.70, new condition, Sold by Media Smart rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hawthorne, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2018 by Sagwan Press.
Add this copy of The Nature of Mathematics (Dover Books on Mathematics) to cart. $32.10, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by Dover Publications.
