I'm looking for an equivalent of "Feynman's Lectures in Physics" in mathematics. I'm specifically looking for book/books that delve into, using Feynman's words, "the meaning of things".
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2$\begingroup$ I've actually watched some of his lectures on youtube.i doubt there is anyone close to him on this matter in math but here is a few off of. My watch list:(general talks about math) $\endgroup$– BigMCommented Jun 27, 2015 at 6:14
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2$\begingroup$ In my opinion "meaning of things" in Mathematics has a much broad sense than in Physics (where it essentially means "explaination of natural phenomena"). So it is very difficult (if not impossible) to write a treatise in the spirit of Feyman's $\endgroup$– Francesco PolizziCommented Jun 27, 2015 at 8:27
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3$\begingroup$ Indeed, in his usual provocative style, he used to say "Physics is to sex as Mathematics is to masturbation" :-) $\endgroup$– Francesco PolizziCommented Jun 27, 2015 at 8:31
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3$\begingroup$ @FrancescoPolizzi The great Feynman was sometimes wrong! $\endgroup$– Todd TrimbleCommented Jun 27, 2015 at 10:53
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2$\begingroup$ @FrancescoPolizzi So its "I'm having a headache" vs. "At least one of us has fun" ? $\endgroup$– Johannes HahnCommented Jun 27, 2015 at 13:50
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1 Answer
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since you ask specifically about "the meaning of things", this might be what you are looking for:
What Is Mathematics? An Elementary Approach to Ideas and Methods
For more than two thousand years a familiarity with mathematics has been regarded as an indispensable part of the intellectual equipment of every cultured person. Today, unfortunately, the traditional place of mathematics in education is in grave danger. The teaching and learning of mathematics has degenerated into the realm of rote memorization, the outcome of which leads to satisfactory formal ability but does not lead to real understanding or to greater intellectual independence. This new edition of Richard Courant's and Herbert Robbins's classic work seeks to address this problem. Its goal is to put the meaning back into mathematics.
Formal mathematics is like spelling and grammar--a matter of the correct application of local rules. Meaningful mathematics is like journalism--it tells an interesting story. But unlike some journalism, the story has to be true. The best mathematics is like literature--it brings a story to life before your eyes and involves you in it, intellectually and emotionally. What is Mathematics is like a fine piece of literature--it opens a window onto the world of mathematics for anyone interested to view.