Sep 6, 2024
Mathematics for Liberal Arts Majors
This is a list of mathematics books I find particularly accessible, interesting, or beautiful. Because I am not a mathematician, it is aimed at non-mathematicians. I don't pretend to understand any of them.
See also my (nascent) Physics for Liberal Arts Majors list.
Please suggest, if you know works that would fit here.
4 comments
lowiqmarkfisher
13 days ago
knot theory in context of mathematics is so fucking insane. I literally don't fucking understand how anyone can put in the effort to figure them out. The most autistic yet honorable lust for knowledge. FYI Frenkel's Love and Math is also a great book that explores "What if math was taught like art, where we start with appreciating the masterpieces?"
yesiamapersonplease
13 days ago
That's an awesome premise! Added.
democritusjrjr
13 days ago
I enjoyed Mathematics and Its History by John Stillwell, e: the Story of a Number by Eli Maor, Incompleteness: The Proof and Paradox of Kurt Godel by Rebecca Goldstein , and Everything and More: A Compact History of Infinity by David Foster Wallace. All of which should be approachable if you have taken high school Calculus. Great list btw.
yesiamapersonplease
13 days ago
Added, thanks!