Morris Kline
Morris Kline
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Morris Kline was an American mathematician, educator, and philosopher. He is also known for his pen name, "Morris Kline."
Birth and Death Dates
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Morris Kline was born on May 1, 1908, and passed away on December 31, 1992.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Kline was an American mathematician, educator, and philosopher. He is best known for his work in mathematics education and the history of science.
Early Life and Background
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Morris Kline grew up in New York City's Lower East Side to a family of Jewish immigrants from Poland. His early interest in mathematics led him to pursue higher education at City College of New York, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in 1930. He later went on to earn his Master's degree in mathematics from Columbia University.
Major Accomplishments
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Kline made significant contributions to the field of mathematics education and the history of science. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
His work as a professor of mathematics at New York University, where he taught for over 30 years.
His research on the development of mathematical thought throughout history, which earned him a reputation as one of the leading historians of mathematics in the world.
His influential books, such as "Mathematics: A Cultural Approach" and "Why Johnny Can't Read," which examined the relationship between mathematics and culture.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Kline's notable works include:
Mathematics: A Cultural Approach (1952) - a book that explores the cultural context of mathematical development.
Mathematics for the Nonmathematician (1980) - a book that explains mathematical concepts to non-experts.
His critiques of mathematics education in the United States, which he argued was inadequate and overly focused on rote memorization.
Impact and Legacy
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Morris Kline's work had a significant impact on mathematics education and the way we understand the history of science. He is widely quoted for his insights into the cultural context of mathematical development and his critiques of modern mathematics education.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Kline's quotes are frequently cited because of their insight into the relationship between mathematics, culture, and society. His work continues to be relevant today as educators and policymakers seek to improve math education and make it more accessible to all students.
Morris Kline was a pioneering mathematician, educator, and philosopher who made significant contributions to our understanding of mathematics and its place in society. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of scholars and educators seeking to promote mathematical literacy and cultural awareness.
Quotes by Morris Kline
Universities hire professors the way some men choose wives – they want the ones the others will admire.
On all levels primary, and secondary and undergraduate – mathematics is taught as an isolated subject with few, if any, ties to the real world. To students, mathematics appears to deal almost entirely with things whlch are of no concern at all to man.
The writing in mathematics text is not only laconic to a fault; it is cold, monotonous, dry, dull, and even ungrammatical... The books are not only printed by machines; they are written by machines.
![[The error in the teaching of mathematics is that] mathematics is expected either to be immediately attractive to students on its own merits or to be accepted by students solely on the basis of the teacher's assurance that it will be helpful in later life. [And yet,] mathematlcs is the key to understanding and mastering our physical, social and biological worlds.](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-1846166.png&w=1536&q=100)
[The error in the teaching of mathematics is that] mathematics is expected either to be immediately attractive to students on its own merits or to be accepted by students solely on the basis of the teacher's assurance that it will be helpful in later life. [And yet,] mathematlcs is the key to understanding and mastering our physical, social and biological worlds.
Actually, most mathematics courses do not teach reasoning of any kind. Students are so baffled by the material that they are obliged to memorize in order to pass examinations.
Universities hire professors the way some men choose wives - they want the ones the others will admire.
Perhaps the best reason for regarding mathematics as an art is not so much that it affords an outlet for creative activity as that it provides spiritual values. It puts man in touch with the highest aspirations and lofiest goals. It offers intellectual delight and the exultation of resolving the mysteries of the universe.
In brief, the whole world is the totality of mathematically expressible motions of objects in space and time, and the entire universe is a great, harmonious, and mathematically designed machine.