Reuben Hersh

Professor emeritus, University of New Mexico

Reuben Hersh had a bachelor’s degree in English Lit and four years experience as a second class machinist before his Ph D in math at NYU under Peter Lax. He researched partial differential equations, while teaching math at the University of New Mexico for 40 years. He clashes with Platonists, formalists, nominalists, structuralists and constructivists, by insisting on a humanist understanding of the nature of mathematics”Th. e Mathematical Experience” co-authored with Phil Davis, won a National Book Award. “Loving and Hating Mathematics,” co-authored with Vera John-Steiner, exposed personal, political and emotional aspects of mathematical life. “What is Mathematics, Really?'” and “Experiencing Mathematics” unraveled prevalent confusions about the nature of mathematical entities and mathematical proof.