3 ms·

Hm. I've not read it, but I have read a rather scathing review of it by Martin Gardner (whose opinions I usually respect). disagreeing with it on fundamental ph

Hm. I've not read it, but I have read a rather scathing review of it by Martin Gardner (whose opinions I usually respect). disagreeing with it on fundamental philosophical grounds.

RiderOfGiraffes 17y ago
That's interesting. Gardner describes himself as a journalist interested in math and science, but specifically not a mathematician. It's interesting that he disagrees with two mathematicians on the question of what math is. I find MG fantastic, but sometimes his articles and books lack depth. He is a wonderful writer and populariser, but I wonder whose side I would take if this were a real debate. But it isn't. There's room for both opinions. I've never met Gardner and am now unlikely to do so, but I know a few people who know him fairly well. I'll ask their opinion when I get the chance. Do you have a reference for that review?
- slackenerny 17y ago
  Do you have a reference for that review? http://www.cs.nyu.edu/pipermail/fom/1997-November/000128.html http://www.cs.nyu.edu/pipermail/fom/1997-November/000128.htm...
  - RiderOfGiraffes 17y ago
    Cool - thanks.
mquander 17y ago
Here is the primary source I found of Gardner's review. I suggest anyone interested read it themselves, as the review itself is a well-written reflection on Gardner's own mathematical philosophy. http://books.google.com/books?id=oXEaTdstD7gC&pg=PA280&lpg=PA280&dq=%22mathematical+experience%22+martin+gardner&source=bl&ots=BmqmDmfKAE&sig=QaX5uJLTBCZcoirJEVhdI_CUoKk&hl=en&ei=_IUdS9nsENPUngfp9cjYAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CCUQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=%22mathematical%20experience%22%20martin%20gardner&f=false http://books.google.com/books?id=oXEaTdstD7gC&pg=PA280&#... I did not find it scathing, but rather of mixed opinions. He criticizes the sort of mathematical "cultural relativism" that the authors sometimes suggest, but he also praises the book's treatment of specific topics as accessible and inspiring. Thanks for noting this review, because this book is one I like and often recommend to less-technical people, and I had never encountered it before.

Hm. I've not read it, but I have read a rather scathing review of it by Martin Gardner (whose opinions I usually respect). disagreeing with it on fundamental philosophical grounds.

RiderOfGiraffes 17y ago

That's interesting. Gardner describes himself as a journalist interested in math and science, but specifically not a mathematician. It's interesting that he disagrees with two mathematicians on the question of what math is. I find MG fantastic, but sometimes his articles and books lack depth. He is a wonderful writer and populariser, but I wonder whose side I would take if this were a real debate. But it isn't. There's room for both opinions. I've never met Gardner and am now unlikely to do so, but I know a few people who know him fairly well. I'll ask their opinion when I get the chance. Do you have a reference for that review?

slackenerny 17y ago
Do you have a reference for that review? http://www.cs.nyu.edu/pipermail/fom/1997-November/000128.html http://www.cs.nyu.edu/pipermail/fom/1997-November/000128.htm...
- RiderOfGiraffes 17y ago
  Cool - thanks.

mquander 17y ago

Here is the primary source I found of Gardner's review. I suggest anyone interested read it themselves, as the review itself is a well-written reflection on Gardner's own mathematical philosophy. http://books.google.com/books?id=oXEaTdstD7gC&pg=PA280&lpg=PA280&dq=%22mathematical+experience%22+martin+gardner&source=bl&ots=BmqmDmfKAE&sig=QaX5uJLTBCZcoirJEVhdI_CUoKk&hl=en&ei=_IUdS9nsENPUngfp9cjYAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CCUQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=%22mathematical%20experience%22%20martin%20gardner&f=false http://books.google.com/books?id=oXEaTdstD7gC&pg=PA280&#... I did not find it scathing, but rather of mixed opinions. He criticizes the sort of mathematical "cultural relativism" that the authors sometimes suggest, but he also praises the book's treatment of specific topics as accessible and inspiring. Thanks for noting this review, because this book is one I like and often recommend to less-technical people, and I had never encountered it before.