Mathematics: The Loss of Certainty (Galaxy Books)

"Mathematics: The Loss of Certainty" is an informative yet challenging read that documents the history of mathematics, particularly focusing on the wake-up call in the 20th century that sent mathematicians searching for rigor. Despite its clear and stirring language, some readers feel that the chapters are long, and the book is dry. Although, it still remains recommended for both mathematicians and non-mathematicians. The style and content make it an interesting read that informs readers without baffling them. Morris Kline's choice of title indicates his preference for that short period in history when we humans thought we knew everything for sure and mathematicians were the trusted people of their time. It is a valuable history of philosophy and tells a different story than what is presented in Objectivist literature. On one hand, Kline shows many of the mistakes of philosophers and scientists from Aristotle to the Enlightenment. On the other hand, despite Kline presenting his thesis from Henri Poincaré, he himself is Kantian by nature, and some of the history appears to be revisionist, intended to make a foundation for Kantian nihilism before Kant's time. Thus, the important accomplishment of this book is that he has thoroughly presented many of the mistakes of philosophers and scientists from Aristotle to the Enlightenment, which shows in exhaustive detail that Kant was not the thinker who originated nihilism, but the midwife who birthed it into a full-fledged philosophical anti-system.