The Mathematical Experience

The Mathematical Experience (1981) is a book by Philip J. Davis and Reuben Hersh that 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.

The first paperback edition won a U.S. National Book Award in Science.[1][lower-alpha 1] It is cited by some mathematicians as influential in their decision to continue their studies in graduate school; and has been hailed as a classic of mathematical literature.[2] On the other hand, Martin Gardner disagreed with some of the authors' philosophical opinions.[3]

A new edition, published in 1995, includes exercises and problems, making the book more suitable for classrooms. There is also The Companion Guide to The Mathematical Experience, Study Edition. Both were co-authored with Elena Marchisotto.[4] Davis and Hersh wrote a follow-up book, Descartes' Dream: The World According to Mathematics (Harcourt, 1986), and each has written other books with related themes, such as Mathematics And Common Sense: A Case of Creative Tension by Davis and What is Mathematics, Really? by Hersh.

Notes
  1. This was the 1983 award for paperback Science.
    From 1980 to 1983 in National Book Award history there were dual hardcover and paperback awards in most categories, and several nonfiction subcategories including General Nonfiction. Most of the paperback award-winners were reprints, including this one.
gollark: Workplace-wise it is more visible from a distance, I think.
gollark: Imagery has more of that "horribly scarred for life instantly" thing going for it which you can probably avoid with text.
gollark: What are you responding to here?
gollark: Yes, this is mostly the sort of "take things as personal attacks" thing I don't like.
gollark: If you can't discuss things like that without interpreting it as toxic or a personal attack or something, 🐝 you somewhat.

References
  1. "National Book Awards – 1983". National Book Foundation. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
  2. jkauzlar (perhaps James Joseph Kauzlarich?) (18 September 2002). "MathForge.net--Power Tools for Online Mathematics". Archived from the original on 2006-10-02. One of the classics of mathematical literature, The Mathematical Experience, by Philip J Davis and Rueben Hersh, remains pertinent and fulfills its lofty ambitions even 20 years past its 1981 publication.
  3. Gardner, Martin (August 13, 1981). "Is Mathematics for Real?". New York Review of Books: 37–40.
  4. Reviews of the 1995 edition:
    • Burgess, J. P.; Ernest, P. (June 1997), Philosophia Mathematica, 5 (2): 175–188, doi:10.1093/philmat/5.2.173CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link)
    • Bultheel, A. (1997), "Review", Bulletin of the Belgian Mathematical Society, 4 (5): 706–707
    • Millett, Kenneth C. (November 1997), "Review" (PDF), Notices of the American Mathematical Society, 44 (10): 1316–1318
    • Wilders, Richard J. (March 2012), "Review", MAA Reviews
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