Quotes by Paul R. Halmos

3 quotes found

Common Themes

mathematics insight math science clarity computer john-von-neumann johnny-von-neumann logarithm mathematician memory neumann power praise spectacular speed von-neumann cliche deductive-logic experimentation guesswork hypotheses prove reason trial algebra architecture beauty certainty differential-topology

“The spectacular thing about Johnny [von Neumann] was not his power as a mathematician, which was great, or his insight and his clarity, but his rapidity; he was very, very fast. And like the modern...”
— Paul R. Halmos
clarity computer insight john-von-neumann

“Mathematics is not a deductive science - that's a cliche. When you try to prove a theorem, you don't just list the hypotheses, and then start to reason. What you do is trial and error, experimentat...”
— Paul R. Halmos, I Want to Be a Mathematician: An Automathography
cliche deductive-logic experimentation guesswork

“[Mathematics] is security. Certainty. Truth. Beauty. Insight. Structure. Architecture. I see mathematics, the part of human knowledge that I call mathematics, as one thingone great, glorious thing....”
— Paul R. Halmos
algebra architecture beauty certainty