Mathematics for Human Flourishing Book Discussion Group

Mathematics for Human Flourishing
by Francis Su

The author, Francis Su, will be visiting the Carleton College campus in October and will join the October 10 session of this book discussion group.

Mathematics for Human Flourishing offers “an inclusive vision of mathematics—its beauty, its humanity, and its power to build virtues that help us all flourish.” For mathematician Francis Su, a society without mathematical appreciation is like a city without concerts, parks, or museums. Mathematics for Human Flourishing makes the case that to miss out on mathematics is to live without experiencing some of humanity’s most beautiful ideas.

The Mathematics for Human Flourishing book groups will explore the crossover between mathematics and ethics (truth, power, freedom, and justice), mathematics and art (beauty, creativity, and imagination), and the importance of mathematics to building broader educational values (exploration, focus, play, struggle, and community). You do not need to identify as a regular math enthusiast to learn from this book. Whatever your current relationship to mathematics is, Mathematics for Human Flourishing will be meaningful for you.

About the author:
Francis Su writes about the dignity of human beings and the wonder of mathematical teaching. He is the Benediktsson-Karwa Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College, and is a former president of the Mathematical Association of America. In addition to attending the October 10th book group discussion, he will be a Carleton College Convocation speaker on Friday, October 11, 2024.

Headshot of a man with close cropped hair, beard and mustache wearing glasses and winter clothing in front of a mountain .

Faculty/ Staff book group meetings:

Thursday, October 3 – 4:00-5:00pm – LTC Library

Thursday, October 10 – 5:00-6:00pm – Anderson 121

The first meeting will be led by the Carleton facilitators and the author will join the second meeting, as part of a larger visit to campus. 

Facilitators:

Sara Cluggish, Mary Hulings Rice Director and Curator of the Perlman Teaching Museum
MurphyKate Montee, Clare Booth Luce Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Student book group meetings:

Sunday, September 29 – 3:00-4:00pm – Sayles Hill Lounge
Please read chapters 9, 10 and 12 for this discussion.

Sunday, October 6 – 3:00-4:00pm – Sayles Hill Lounge
Please read chapters 3, 4, and 5 for this discussion

Thursday, October 10 – 5:00-6:00pm – Anderson 121
The author and faculty/staff group will join for this discussion

Facilitators:

LTC Student Fellows

Participants are not required to come to all sessions, though it is strongly preferred.

This discussion group is co-sponsored by the Humanities Center and the Perlman Center for Learning and Teaching.

Faculty/ Staff Registration

Mathematics for Human Flourishing Faculty/Staff Registration

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Student Registration

Student registrants are asked to read the ebook available through the Gould Library.

Mathematics for Human Flourishing Student Registration

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