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
5 months 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
5 months ago
That's an awesome premise! Added.
democritusjrjr
5 months 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
5 months ago
Added, thanks!