What Is Mathematical Thinking

Creative Experimentation and Reasoning in the
History of Mathematics

In arts and humanities, mathematics is often
thought as a rigidly formal discipline. The aim
of this course is to portray mathematics in a
different light as a field where intuitive
thinking, formal rigor and creative
experimentation come hand in hand. To do so, this
course provides an introduction to the history of
mathematics with a particular emphasis on
mathematical discoveries from the antiquity to
the present time. By looking at different case
studies and examining thoughts and methods behind
these discoveries, the class aims to acquaint
students with both conceptual / intuitive and
formal / quantities aspects of mathematics. It is
in bridging these two aspects of mathematical
thinking that we can grasp the significance of
theoretical and applied dimensions of mathematics
not only for special sciences but also for arts
and humanities.