Mathematics for Human Flourishing

Mathematics for Human Flourishing

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  • Create Date:2021-07-26 09:51:15
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
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  • Author:Francis Su
  • ISBN:0300258518
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Summary

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。

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Reviews

Peter Edman

Excellent discussion and treatment of the theme。 Honest and charitable。 A model for Christian public engagement。 Virtue approach helps a lot。 A bit too defensive in tone in places; you can hear apologizing rather than apologetics。 Careful distinctions of terms and categories except in one minor case。 Not even a mathematician can define systemic accusations convincingly。 The appeal to generalities in that case is telling。 But overall very helpful and inspiring and helpful even beyond its field。

Lēna

Gives an innovative and unique perspective on math。 Would make you love math all over again, and If you never have, it has the potential of changing how you feel about it。 Recommended to : everyone: would let you in through a door you’d most likely not explored before in relation to math, It’s also extremely recommended to students (to enforce their passion for math at a deeper level。 They’d come to understand its relevance from an angle which rarely had ever been considered: something integral Gives an innovative and unique perspective on math。 Would make you love math all over again, and If you never have, it has the potential of changing how you feel about it。 Recommended to : everyone: would let you in through a door you’d most likely not explored before in relation to math, It’s also extremely recommended to students (to enforce their passion for math at a deeper level。 They’d come to understand its relevance from an angle which rarely had ever been considered: something integral to their humanity。 Which I find is essential, especially when math as a discipline relies on abstracting reality。 It is easy to feel alienated from it and to presume its uses are restricted to those abstracted dimensions and in the realms of science and technology only。 To see math applied in other forms: such as in the arts and humanities, is helpful - to realize it enhances your morality or aids in gaining virtues, somehow, is beautiful to consider。 More research should be afforded in this area。 It’s a beautiful book that reminds you of the potentials of math, and also of its beauty in its applied forms including those in relation to human virtues。 Lovely book, really。 。。。more

Melissa Yamada

If only everyone in society had such passion and compassion! As a non-math disciple, reading about math as a lifestyle and identity was itself fascinating, but Su’s ability to convey the larger picture of how math contributes to every aspect of humanity clinched the need for everyone to read this book and apply his principles and ideas to their own passion。 It’s a great blueprint for advancing the greater good, but with the unique lens of something usually inaccessible to many。 It made me want t If only everyone in society had such passion and compassion! As a non-math disciple, reading about math as a lifestyle and identity was itself fascinating, but Su’s ability to convey the larger picture of how math contributes to every aspect of humanity clinched the need for everyone to read this book and apply his principles and ideas to their own passion。 It’s a great blueprint for advancing the greater good, but with the unique lens of something usually inaccessible to many。 It made me want to seriously study math, something I had never thought of prior to reading the book。 。。。more

Nicole Wilson

I found the conversation about flourishing robust and relevant to so many areas of life。 I appreciate Su's passion for mathematics and making it accessible I found the conversation about flourishing robust and relevant to so many areas of life。 I appreciate Su's passion for mathematics and making it accessible 。。。more

Ryan Johnson

I can’t say enough good things about this book。 It’s a book that should be savored。 Bringing out the joy found in math exploration, Su does an amazing job in demonstrating the beauty of mathematics and its accessibility。 It reminded me of my passion and healed some old wounds and scars I’ve kept for so long。 It has rekindled a love for investigating and learning math。 Not only is the book amazing but I even reached out to the author who was gracious enough to set up a zoom call。 If you love math I can’t say enough good things about this book。 It’s a book that should be savored。 Bringing out the joy found in math exploration, Su does an amazing job in demonstrating the beauty of mathematics and its accessibility。 It reminded me of my passion and healed some old wounds and scars I’ve kept for so long。 It has rekindled a love for investigating and learning math。 Not only is the book amazing but I even reached out to the author who was gracious enough to set up a zoom call。 If you love math, read this book。 If you ever enjoyed math, read this book。 If you have ever struggled in math, read this book。 If you have heard of math, read this book。 。。。more

Robert Murphy

Good book。 Very thoughtful and thought provoking。 Could've done without the deep-dive into Woke-ism out of the blue (I recommend skipping chapter 10)。 It seemed very out of step with the rest of the book (e。g。 if we see inequity, should we assume prejudice? Mathematically, we should look to establish causation before we assume。) Good book。 Very thoughtful and thought provoking。 Could've done without the deep-dive into Woke-ism out of the blue (I recommend skipping chapter 10)。 It seemed very out of step with the rest of the book (e。g。 if we see inequity, should we assume prejudice? Mathematically, we should look to establish causation before we assume。) 。。。more

Lindsey

This book really touched me—mathematics through the lens of virtues! I was touched by Francis Su’s experience of mentoring a man currently serving time in prison。 Through the story of Francis and Chris’ interactions, I could see in practice how Francis intentionally mentored and fostered mathematics for human flourishing。 I was touched by the chapter titled Justice as well as Francis’ demand for mathematicians to practice asset based approaches to learning。 “Believe that you and every person on This book really touched me—mathematics through the lens of virtues! I was touched by Francis Su’s experience of mentoring a man currently serving time in prison。 Through the story of Francis and Chris’ interactions, I could see in practice how Francis intentionally mentored and fostered mathematics for human flourishing。 I was touched by the chapter titled Justice as well as Francis’ demand for mathematicians to practice asset based approaches to learning。 “Believe that you and every person on your life can flourish in mathematics。”“Believe that every human being can discover an affection for mathematics。”And my favorite: “those of us who have experienced the freedoms of mathematics have a significant responsibility to welcome others to those freedoms as well。”❤️ 。。。more

Hom Sack

Delightful, motivational, and inspirational。 It is more about the philosophy of life than about math。 The philosophy is personal, humble, and sincere。 Here's a summary of the book during the first 44 minutes followed by a conversation with a philosophy professor afterwards:Mathematics for Human Flourishing - Francis Su, Ph。D。 - YouTube (https://www。youtube。com/watch?v=FTXhj。。。) Delightful, motivational, and inspirational。 It is more about the philosophy of life than about math。 The philosophy is personal, humble, and sincere。 Here's a summary of the book during the first 44 minutes followed by a conversation with a philosophy professor afterwards:Mathematics for Human Flourishing - Francis Su, Ph。D。 - YouTube (https://www。youtube。com/watch?v=FTXhj。。。) 。。。more

Ope Bukola

A beautiful and delightful read that connects learning mathematics to fundamental human virtues like exploration, beauty, and play。 Unfortunately math education is often rigid, boring, and designed to exclude many people who are made to feel as if they're not math people。 Su presents a different way to think about the pursuit of learning mathematics, one that brings joy even in the struggle。 This is a fantastic read for anyone who is in a positioning of influencing someone else's view of mathema A beautiful and delightful read that connects learning mathematics to fundamental human virtues like exploration, beauty, and play。 Unfortunately math education is often rigid, boring, and designed to exclude many people who are made to feel as if they're not math people。 Su presents a different way to think about the pursuit of learning mathematics, one that brings joy even in the struggle。 This is a fantastic read for anyone who is in a positioning of influencing someone else's view of mathematics - parents, educators, mentors。 。。。more

Kristine Johnson

Review Title: Insight into the importance of math for a flourishing communityI read this book on the recommendation of an acquaintance and it was kind of a different book than I have read before。 This quote from page 10 summarizes the book’s main theme, “Mathematics helps people flourish。 Mathematics is for human flourishing。” What is human flourishing, you may ask。 Here’s a quote from the chapter titled “Truth” on page 103, “Truth is a mark of human flourishing。 A flourishing society values tru Review Title: Insight into the importance of math for a flourishing communityI read this book on the recommendation of an acquaintance and it was kind of a different book than I have read before。 This quote from page 10 summarizes the book’s main theme, “Mathematics helps people flourish。 Mathematics is for human flourishing。” What is human flourishing, you may ask。 Here’s a quote from the chapter titled “Truth” on page 103, “Truth is a mark of human flourishing。 A flourishing society values truth, while oppressive societies suppress it。” The author continues on page 188, “None of us can flourish without a supportive community。” Each chapter in the book explores important concepts and how he sees math contributing to these areas and thus, benefiting humanity。 He extends his hope to expand human flourishing through improvements in teaching math as well。 From pages 207-208, “Too often, those of us who teach math professionally say, “My job is to teach math,” as if teaching math were only about teaching facts and procedures。 We forget that “my job is to teach people” whose experiences often intersect with mathematics in completely different ways than our own experiences do。 And that means education has to take into account the whole person…”In addition to each topical chapter, there is an ongoing conversation between the author and an inmate, Chris, who has been studying math from prison。 Over time they develop a friendship and excerpts from their correspondence are included in each chapter to illustrate how mathematics is helping Christ to flourish despite his situation。 There is also a math puzzle or two in each chapter to challenge the reader to be a math explorer。 I would recommend this book to those who wonder why schools should teach more advanced math courses and encourage everyone to look for the math behind technology, medicine, communication, and everything which leads to human flourishing。 。。。more

Kristine

What a delightful book! You don't need to be "good at math" to enjoy it。 Very thought-provoking and accessible。 It's kind of like a math book, a philosophy book and a social justice book got mixed up together。 It works beautifully。 I will be sharing this book with others。 What a delightful book! You don't need to be "good at math" to enjoy it。 Very thought-provoking and accessible。 It's kind of like a math book, a philosophy book and a social justice book got mixed up together。 It works beautifully。 I will be sharing this book with others。 。。。more

Duncan Voyles

Really good。 A thoughtful, compelling case for why doing mathematics is valuable in itself because of the virtues that it develops。

Nora Hu

大四下和prof su上topology,当时就能感受到他的课堂上有一股温暖的力量——十几个学生,轮流展示讨论自己的证明,虽然还是能发现有的同学思维特别敏捷,但神奇的是我(作为一个连analysis都没学过的路人)却不会觉得自己怎么啥都不会。毕竟手里的证明是自己struggle出来的,毕竟就算证明错了prof su小天使也会认真的剖析哪里错为什么错我们又学到了什么,毕竟课堂营造出的氛围就是要和身边的小伙伴一起合作进步,然后庆祝+享受每一个小小的成果。真的特别美好的体验(除了大四下没时间以外)。读了这本书才知道prof su对inclusion和做数学的价值有多么深入的思考。尤其喜欢关于struggle的章节(虽然有点震惊一节课居然有十个人抄作业…),也非常感激prof su作为一个功成名就的数学家把自己成长经历中的vulnerabilities展示给世人。妈蛋chris以后就是我的role model!

Katharine Sims-Drew

An amazing book about inclusivity and what it means to be a mathematician。 I think every parent and STEM instructor should read this book。

Marilu Deal

This was my second read。 Every teacher and parent should read this book!

Kent Sibilev

An essential read if you are a math educator。

Joe

An excellent, unique book! It was a fascinating, easy read。

Debjeet

The core philosophy of the book is so enriching and exploratory that I Find this book among one of my best reads。 Though context of this book is based on mathematics, it can be applied to any work which we love and allow ourself to immerse into。Though I am not maths guy, but this book gives me the vision to look at maths from fresh perspective。

Bonny

My oldest son has been treated poorly by mathematics (and maybe also by a mathematician) so I have been angry at math for a while。 When I saw this title, I thought this might be the book to help dissipate my anger — and it did。 Francis Su is an enthusiastic, empathetic, and emphatic math professor at Harvey Mudd College, a liberal arts school。 Mathematics for Human Flourishing is based on his speech of the same name, given at the Joint Math Meetings in January of 2017。 While he was speaking to m My oldest son has been treated poorly by mathematics (and maybe also by a mathematician) so I have been angry at math for a while。 When I saw this title, I thought this might be the book to help dissipate my anger — and it did。 Francis Su is an enthusiastic, empathetic, and emphatic math professor at Harvey Mudd College, a liberal arts school。 Mathematics for Human Flourishing is based on his speech of the same name, given at the Joint Math Meetings in January of 2017。 While he was speaking to mathematicians then, this book is written for a general audience。 In it, he talks about five basic human desires that are met through the pursuit of math — play, beauty, truth, justice, and love。 This is a novel idea to us, but the ancient Greeks had a concept called eudaimonia, a life composed of all the highest goods。 Su points out that math can help build and develop exploration, meaning, play, beauty, truth, confidence in struggle, justice, community, and love。 He devotes a chapter to each of these, and by the time I was done reading, two things happened。 I was a bit teary-eyed and I wished my son had met a person like Francis Su。 If you are a human who wants to flourish and also help others to do the same, do yourself a favor and read this book。 This book is not about how great mathematics is, though it is, indeed, a glorious endeavor。 Nor does it focus on what math can do, though it undeniably can do many things。 Rather, this is a book that grounds mathematics in what it means to be a human being and to live a more fully human life。 。。。more

Sara

Not just for mathematicians。 Francis Su makes math more approachable by breaking it down and showing the characteristics of math communities that make it accessible and enjoyable for all。 As a middle school math teacher, many of his sentiments are directly applicable to my classroom even if some of the math he references is over my head。 I repeat: you don’t need to comprehend a high level of math to enjoy this book。

Clara Biesel

Absolutely beautiful。 This is the kind of impact I want to make in my field。 And while it's easier for me to think about English for human flourishing than it is for me to think of math, this book makes it easy to see both as part of our humanity。 Absolutely beautiful。 This is the kind of impact I want to make in my field。 And while it's easier for me to think about English for human flourishing than it is for me to think of math, this book makes it easy to see both as part of our humanity。 。。。more

Shiyue

A very engaging, touching book that encompasses many human aspects of doing mathematics and thinking mathematically。 The beginning felt a bit long, and preachy, but soon the virtues and principles that Prof。 Su was talking about get weaved together with these math puzzles and games。 He also interlaced his prose with his correspondence with a prisoner, studying math and starting to do research in math while in jail。 (Recently they published a paper together!) The reflection questions at the end r A very engaging, touching book that encompasses many human aspects of doing mathematics and thinking mathematically。 The beginning felt a bit long, and preachy, but soon the virtues and principles that Prof。 Su was talking about get weaved together with these math puzzles and games。 He also interlaced his prose with his correspondence with a prisoner, studying math and starting to do research in math while in jail。 (Recently they published a paper together!) The reflection questions at the end really help me reflect on my own math learning and teaching。 I plan to revisit this book often in the future。 。。。more

Dwight

I appreciate that the audiobook is available。 I probably wouldn’t have gotten to this book without that option, but I’d recommend getting a written version。 I think I got the more abstract portions, but the practical portions seem like they’d be good and I missed out on them。

Anna

A beautiful guide back to my love of math in a time where I am struggling with frustration and dejection。 Su addresses creativity, community, bias and exclusivity, joy, and so much more which tends to be overlooked in conversations about math。 This book is emotional, helping me feel understood in my imposter syndrome just as in the pleasure of playing with and understanding math。

William Schram

Francis Su wrote a beautiful book on what mathematics means to him and others in Mathematics For Human Flourishing。 The framework is a correspondence between Su and Christopher Jackson, an inmate in federal prison。 Each chapter contains a personal reflection by the author and a series of puzzles。People often equate doing mathematics with arithmetic, or they dismiss math as something that they cannot do。 Su tells us that this is an unfortunate mistake。 Mathematics is an endeavor, a journey to unc Francis Su wrote a beautiful book on what mathematics means to him and others in Mathematics For Human Flourishing。 The framework is a correspondence between Su and Christopher Jackson, an inmate in federal prison。 Each chapter contains a personal reflection by the author and a series of puzzles。People often equate doing mathematics with arithmetic, or they dismiss math as something that they cannot do。 Su tells us that this is an unfortunate mistake。 Mathematics is an endeavor, a journey to uncover the unknown。 Mathematics should be something that all can enjoy, but biases often enter into the equation。Mathematics For Human Flourishing reminds me of A Mathematician's Apology by G H Hardy。 I enjoyed it。 。。。more

Inkslinger

ARC provided by Yale University Press and Francis Su。 All opinions are mine and freely given。Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | BookBub09-21: I don't know what drew me to 'Mathematics for Human Flourishing' by Francis Su。 If I'm being completely honest, I think I found the title intriguingly unusual。 Without actually paying attention at the time to who the author might be, the cadence of the title had a very eastern feel to it。。 and being of mixed Asian and Native Hawaiian descent。。 sometim ARC provided by Yale University Press and Francis Su。 All opinions are mine and freely given。Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | BookBub09-21: I don't know what drew me to 'Mathematics for Human Flourishing' by Francis Su。 If I'm being completely honest, I think I found the title intriguingly unusual。 Without actually paying attention at the time to who the author might be, the cadence of the title had a very eastern feel to it。。 and being of mixed Asian and Native Hawaiian descent。。 sometimes my eye has a tendency toward those fluid sort of word dances。 Perhaps, not so ironically。。 in hindsight, as a student I was incredibly bored by mathematics and science。 Not initially of course, in grade school instructors often seem to have a different approach to learning than in later grades。 Not simply because the age of the students is younger, but in my experience most of them seemed to be in it for the kids and often genuinely liked them。 As an adult, I know several people who teach junior high or high schoolers and none of them like their students as a rule。 Likewise, I didn't much care for the instructors who wanted me to fit in a convenient box。 And if I didn't like them, I didn't work well for them。。 add to that。。 the curriculum of math and science in traditional schools。。 and I didn't even want to be there。 Amusingly enough, I understood it fine。 I could teach others, even those in college classes above me。 Though I was a student who strongly disliked those classes, as an adult。。 some of my favorite casual reads are books on quantum physics and quantum mechanics (science)。。 and what must you have for those? Mathematics。 There's the irony for you。It probably seems as if I'm off on a tangent here and not reviewing the book, but bear with me。。 my apparent tangent relates。 What I expected from the book was for it to be heavily focused on mathematical theory and possibly full of formulas and problem solving。。 the latter of which I love。。 with a few anecdotes which might be interesting。Don't get me wrong。 Sprinkled throughout the book there is some of that, but it's much more than it might seem。Su actually spends much of his time discussing the ripple effects that mathematics and the attitudes we're unintentionally groomed to have towards them have on our lives。 He talks about how differently we might take to the topic if the focus was on learning and exploring, rather than ultimately on the grade and the correct solutions。 The experience of exploration in mathematics leading students to find it more fun。。 more engaging。。 rather than turning away from it because it's shoved at them with a set of hard rules and expectations for results。There's some discussion on the fact mathematics are used more frequently in our every day lives than we understand。 That there are algorithms choosing what we'll see, what opportunities we'll get, who or what we might make contact with and how a deeper understanding of all that might benefit us。 He talks a great deal about spotting patterns (which are my go-to in just about every setting), and how our unknown inherent biases affect our decision making。 There was a story in fact。。 about restaurants with different menus that was surprising to me at first。。 but when I got to thinking about what lead them to this method。。 I began to see how it might happen more regularly than people realized。Certainly, there are assumptions made upon every interaction。。 be it personal or professional。 We judge, if not by race or common stereotype, at least by our own experiences。 And that can lead us to approaching the same situation in an entirely different way, simply because we perceive a certain level of understanding within the other person。 It's fascinating really。In addition to the things I mentioned, I genuinely enjoyed his reflection on letters sent to him by Christopher Jackson。。 a man who discovered mathematics as an inmate in a federal prison。 Christopher shares some truly introspective self-assessment with the author during the exchanges and the two seem to have forged quite a friendship over the years。The author touches on a lot of topics that are afflicting us currently and I highly suggest giving this book a try。 I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the content and his insight。 PURCHASE LINKS: AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSAMILLION | GOOGLEPLAY BOOKS | INDIGO | KOBO | WATERSTONES 。。。more

Anaya

Probably wouldn't have read it if it wasn't required by school。 However, I did relate to a lot of the things he said about life and math and I feel like I am good at math today because I practice a lot of the mindsets that he talks about。 Probably wouldn't have read it if it wasn't required by school。 However, I did relate to a lot of the things he said about life and math and I feel like I am good at math today because I practice a lot of the mindsets that he talks about。 。。。more

Robin Gane-McCalla

Francis Su takes a challenging and worthy subject and falls a bit short of meeting my hopes for this book。 I was very interested in the idea and Su explains the connections between math and human desires。 The book has some math terms but isn't especially technical, most of the book is connecting human desires to math rather than the other way around。 There are many stories about notable figures, as well as Su's own experiences both within the mathematical profession and outside it。 Each chapter Francis Su takes a challenging and worthy subject and falls a bit short of meeting my hopes for this book。 I was very interested in the idea and Su explains the connections between math and human desires。 The book has some math terms but isn't especially technical, most of the book is connecting human desires to math rather than the other way around。 There are many stories about notable figures, as well as Su's own experiences both within the mathematical profession and outside it。 Each chapter has a mathematical puzzle and a letter from Christopher Jackson, a prisoner who studies math in his spare time。 The book is an easy read and has lots of interesting tid-bits but it doesn't do the best job in uniting all the ideas in a chapter。 。。。more

Katie Johnson

Will read again and again。 I enjoyed this book so much! I wanted to devour it, but I kept having to stop to sit and reflect on what Professor Su had written。 I have never taken so many notes while reading a book (that wasn’t a textbook)。 His philosophy will have a deep and lasting impact on my own teaching, and I plan to share excerpts with my students as well to inspire them on their mathematical journeys。 The letters by and interview with Christopher Jackson were inspiring and unexpected。 I ha Will read again and again。 I enjoyed this book so much! I wanted to devour it, but I kept having to stop to sit and reflect on what Professor Su had written。 I have never taken so many notes while reading a book (that wasn’t a textbook)。 His philosophy will have a deep and lasting impact on my own teaching, and I plan to share excerpts with my students as well to inspire them on their mathematical journeys。 The letters by and interview with Christopher Jackson were inspiring and unexpected。 I have known for some time about the inclusion problem we have in mathematics (and experienced it on small levels myself), but his story has really opened my eyes to the possibilities that can occur when we make a concerted effort to include anyone who wants to learn mathematics。 If you want to study math, you should be able to。 Everyone should feel welcome, because much like philosophy it can lead to a more thoughtful, deliberate, reflective, and creative life: traits of human flourishing。 。。。more

Serena

There will be others who leave more graceful reviews than mine, but I’ll attempt to express how gorgeous this book is。 #M4HF is less about math and more about humanity, and how we can all do better by our neighbors and community members with just a bit more awareness and compassion。 Anyone who has felt disenfranchised by anything can find inspiration here。 I dare you not to cry while reading this! This book constantly challenges you to dig deeper in yourself to find beauty in the every day。 (As There will be others who leave more graceful reviews than mine, but I’ll attempt to express how gorgeous this book is。 #M4HF is less about math and more about humanity, and how we can all do better by our neighbors and community members with just a bit more awareness and compassion。 Anyone who has felt disenfranchised by anything can find inspiration here。 I dare you not to cry while reading this! This book constantly challenges you to dig deeper in yourself to find beauty in the every day。 (As a random aside, the only other time I felt this warm and fuzzy was watching The Good Place。) 。。。more