The Mathematical Experience.

DAVIS, Philip J. and Reuben Hersh.

$2,000.00

Item Number: 100450

Boston: Birkhauser , 1981.

First edition of the authors’ classic introduction to the richly diverse world of mathematics: its history, philosophy, principles, and personalities, which went on to win the National Book Award. Octavo, original cloth. Presentation copy, inscribed by both authors on the front free endpaper, “For McAllister Hull from Reuben Hersh and from Philip J. Davis.” The recipient McAllister Hull was an American theoretical physicist who took part in the creation of the atomic bomb that was dropped over Nagasaki in 1945, ending World War II. Fine in a near fine dust jacket. Introduction by Gian-Carlo Rota. Uncommon and desirable signed by both Hersh and Davis.

This work discusses the practice of modern mathematics from a historical and philosophical perspective. The book discusses the psychology of mathematicians, and gives examples of famous proofs and outstanding problems. It goes on to speculate about what a proof really means, in relationship to actual truth. Other topics include mathematics in education and some of the math that occurs in computer science.