Mathematics for Human Flourishing

I 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.

The book includes correspondence (letters) between the author and Christopher Jackson, a prisoner who has been learning mathematics on his own while serving time (even now). The author, a Harvey Mudd College professor, shares his own mathematical journey, from growing up in rural Texas to almost quitting while in graduate school at Harvard. The essential theme of the book is the link between mathematics and what it means to be a human. The message of the book is this: the “proper practice of mathematics cultivates virtues that help people flourish” (p. 10). Su disputes the misconception that mathematics is just a tool; rather, he powerfully demonstrates that it is for human flourishing, just like music and art are, nurturing virtues. He writes, “The skills society needs from math may change, but the virtues needed from math will not” (p. 11). He heavily criticizes both the outdated math curricula and pedagogy. He describes “math explorers,” which could, in his opinion, be all humans. He stresses creativity, imagination, abstraction (p. 43), fun, joy, beauty, struggle, and reflection. These virtues then become the outline of the entire book. Chapters have titles like “permanence,” “truth,” “justice,” and “freedom.” He also has a plenty of personal stories, including how he discovered he was adopted, his recent marriage, growing up as a Chinese American in Texas, being the first person of color to lead the MAA (the title “Finally, An Asian Guy Who’s Good at Math” is hilarious, p. 154). A photo of Francis Su and Christopher Jackson, taken in prison (p. 221), is also inspirational. Throughout the book, there are very interesting math questions and puzzles that encourage critical thinking. My favorites include ants on a log, 100 lightbulbs, and 5 points on the sphere.

Francis Su presents a wonderful case for the fullness of mathematics as a humanizing endeavor. Su lifts our gaze from math's projection into the classroom and helps us see it more fully along the dimensions of Great Ideas (and others) like: truth, beauty, goodness, freedom, and justice. In an age when mathematics has been reduced to just another piece of a curriculum delivering knowledge and skills, Su reminds us that mathematics is so much more.

The book goes above Math concepts and its applications. This is simply an encouraging piece of art, connecting dots of our natural way of functioning and how re-connecting with these roots is essential. The author establishes a mathematical approach to almost every experience from an individual connecting these with society as a whole. This is the absolute best content I have read in years due to it’s simplicity, ingenuity, value, and methodology; resulting encouraging and definitely bringing up human lifting results. Dr. Sue approaches Life in its very basic values, with full tools equipment possibilities for equally everyone. Professors like these are very much needed in this era. This piece of work is remarkably valuable and cam be applied virtually in every aspect of our lives. Pr. Sue objectives are fully majestically well achieved by un-complicating the now complicated human attitudes that run in auto-pilot as a result of social disconnection and cultural bias. Each government and country should establish this book which is a piece of genuine Art, as an essential read in last year high school and early college days. It brings so much value to the reader that no one will approach life the same after going through it. This is a Soul touching effort from a humble amazing human being that had the courage to openly recognize how he has committed mistakes and the processes he went through to overcome these and turn into a flourished human using the unlimited tools and resources of mathematics.

This is a rich and accessible book that articulates the many virtues developed through the study and practice of mathematics that both grow us as people and equip us (along with the mathematical skills themselves) to be a force for good in the world. We often think of the development of math skills and the mastery of mathematical concepts from the vantage point of what they will allow us to achieve without much reflection on the beauty of math itself or its power to both broaden our minds and contribute to human flourishing in unique ways. Dr. Su calls for something more than a one-dimensional view of math that most of us have used (and burned out on at one time or another) without producing or engaging in anything truly meaningful or useful. The book caused me to recall that four of the classic seven liberal arts were connected to mathematics and to reflect on how and when we lost an appreciation for the role of mathematics in freeing us to understand and pursue what is good, true, and beautiful. Seeing the connection between mathematical pursuits on the one hand, and virtue development and human flourishing on the other, frankly makes math far more appealing as an exercise or discipline. Thank you Dr. Su for your book. This should be required reading at classical or liberal arts schools and I recommend it to anyone who is searching for a greater meaning in their own mathematical endeavors.

This book is very relatable in context. I am a very good student at Mathematics but after reading this book it has opened up a whole different aspect of looking at math problems and especially when my kids bring their math problems to me looking for help. My entire approach at explaining math concepts to my kids has changed and I can see that my kids are more engaged when I explain mathematical concepts to them now. I wished I had later my hands on this book earlier; however, I am grateful I did get to read it and I will suggest it to all who have kids in school that come to them for help with their homework and other assignments.

I never thought I would be moved to tears reading a math book! Dr. Francis Su has written this profoundly intriguing and beautiful tribute to math, intertwined with personal stories and his friendship with Christopher Jackson, an inmate in Kentucky. I picked up the book at the recommendation of a dear friend, who is a math teacher, and finished reading it with not only more love for the mathematical way of thinking and life, but also self-discovery and a stronger sense of obligation that our society needs more curious minds and deeper love for math. Who would've known math could be so joyful? Grateful for this transformative book.

As a professional mathematician, I was intrigued to see what Francis Su could say to a general audience. I was blown away by the thoughtful and insightful job he did. My family read it and discussed it recently: included in the discussion were an actress, a psychologist, a data analyst, a real estate agent, and a minister. All got a lot out of it, and our discussion was fascinating because each person shared some way that they were going to think of their own vocation differently because of the book. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the book is the letter writing between the author and a prisoner. I don't think Su could have had a better object lesson the Chris (the prisoner). Remarkably, each letter seemed to summarize the point that Su wanted to make, and the letters were written before the book came into existence. The book would be well worth reading even if it was just the letters. Anyone who wants to gain a broad sense of what mathematics is all about, or more importantly, anyone who wants to understand how to flourish in life: read this book!

This book is awesome. Falls right in line with giving students real world learning )maths in context). It is set out well, easy to read and provides excellent examples for discussion.

Each single chapter is inspiring and motivating. This book is for readers from all walks of life e.g. students, parents, educators, engineers, philanthropists.

Per chi ha a che fare con la matematica e con la scuola: imperdibile!!!!

Fantastic book. Heart warming. Encouraging. Wonderful.