The Great Merit of Mathematics: The Habit of Thinking Without Passion
Well, I think mathematics has the advantage of teaching you the habit of thinking without passion. That seems to me the great merit of mathematics. You learn to use your mind primarily upon material where passion doesn't come in, and having trained it in that way you can then use it passionlessly upon matters about which you feel passionately. Then you're much more likely to come to true conclusions.
Source: Spinoza's Ethics, 1942. - Spinoza's Ethics; dialogue with Scott Buchanan and Mark Van Doren. - * CBS program: 'Invitation to Learning.
The Great Merit of Mathematics: The Habit of Thinking Without Passion
What kind of understanding or feelings do you have toward mathematics? Some people enjoy mathematical or logical thinking, while others find it difficult or even dislike it entirely. For my part, I have loved mathematics since the upper grades of elementary school and maintained excellent marks until my first year of high school.
However, a turning point came during that first year of high school when I discovered Bertrand Russell. Driven by a desire to read as many of his books as possible and to acquire the same kind of broad knowledge and insight he possessed, I immersed myself in a life of extensive reading -- not just Russell's works, but books from every imaginable field. As a result, I stopped studying mathematics properly. Ironically, although I still loved the subject, my test scores plummeted.
As they say, "there is no use crying over spilt milk." That aside, in 1942, Russell appeared on the CBS program New Invitation to Learning. During the broadcast, he touched upon how the philosopher Spinoza attempted to unravel the complexities of human emotion and morality through a geometrical method -- treating them as if they were lines and planes. Regarding the true benefit of learning mathematics in this context, Russell remarked:
"Well, I think mathematics has the advantage of teaching you the habit of thinking without passion. That seems to me the great merit of mathematics. You learn to use your mind primarily upon material where passion doesn't come in, and having trained it in that way you can then use it passionlessly upon matters about which you feel passionately. Then you're much more likely to come to true conclusions."I find this to be a deeply resonant statement. What do you all think?
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