

#4049
Mentioned in 7 episodes
A mathematician's apology
Book • 1940
In 'A Mathematician's Apology,' G.H.
Hardy presents a justification for the study of mathematics as an end in itself, rather than for its practical applications.
Written in 1940, the book is part autobiography and part philosophical treatise, where Hardy argues that the beauty and elegance of pure mathematics, particularly in number theory, justify its pursuit.
He contrasts pure mathematics with applied mathematics, which he sees as less elegant and often trivial.
Hardy also reflects on his own career, acknowledging that his creative mathematical abilities were waning at the time of writing.
The book is a passionate defense of the value of mathematics as a creative and intellectual endeavor.
Hardy presents a justification for the study of mathematics as an end in itself, rather than for its practical applications.
Written in 1940, the book is part autobiography and part philosophical treatise, where Hardy argues that the beauty and elegance of pure mathematics, particularly in number theory, justify its pursuit.
He contrasts pure mathematics with applied mathematics, which he sees as less elegant and often trivial.
Hardy also reflects on his own career, acknowledging that his creative mathematical abilities were waning at the time of writing.
The book is a passionate defense of the value of mathematics as a creative and intellectual endeavor.
Mentioned by











Mentioned in 7 episodes
Mentioned by 

as a source of inspiration for the idea of exaggerating the importance of one's work.


David Senra

7,724 snips
#314 Paul Graham (How To Do Great Work)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

while discussing his views on finitism and the beauty of mathematics.

Gregory Chaitin

12 snips
Gregory Chaitin: Complexity, Metabiology, Gödel, Cold Fusion, and What is Randomness?
Mentioned by 

while discussing Ramanujan's mathematical work and its later applications in electronics.


Peter Boghossian

12 snips
Why Dawkins Is WRONG: The Universe Is NOT Queerer Than We Can Suppose w/ Brett Hall
Recommended by 

as one of his favorite books, highlighting its ending about the value of doing something, even if it doesn't solve the whole problem.


Greg Satell

Talia-Milgrom-Elcott - Building Networks To Solve Complex Problems
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a book that helped inspire his love for mathematics.

Marcus du Sautoy

Math as a perspective on life (with Marcus du Sautoy)
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

in the context of his book 'The Mathematician's Apology'.

John Allen Paulos

216 | John Allen Paulos on Numbers, Narratives, and Numeracy
Mentioned by ![undefined]()

as a book that showed him mathematics is closer to creative arts than sciences.

Marcus du Sautoy

Can Mathematics Fuel Creativity? With Marcus du Sautoy (Part One)
Mentioned by 

in the context of a discussion about the practical applications of pure mathematics.


Brett Hall

Ep 58 Ch 18 "The Beginning" Part 1
Mentioned in reference to the myth that advances in science are always made by the young.

History of Science & Technology Q&A (July 2, 2025)