Book · 1945 · Psychologische aspecten
The psychology of invention in the mathematical field
Why people recommend it
The psychology of invention in the mathematical field by Jacques Hadamard is a classic exploration of the cognitive processes and mental imagery involved in mathematical discovery. On the podcast How I Write, Henrik Karlsson discussed reading this remarkable book, which was published in the early twentieth century. Karlsson mentioned the text during the episode titled Henrik Karlsson: One of the world’s most under-rated writers, broadcast on August 13, 2025. He explained that he turned to the volume to understand how great mathematicians operate, specifically noting that brilliant minds in the field tend to think kinetically rather than relying purely on words. Karlsson highlighted the work as an incredible read that sheds light on the inner workings of creative thought and problem solving among elite practitioners of mathematics. Through this discussion, the podcast emphasized the value of examining the cognitive habits of historical thinkers to better understand the nature of intellectual breakthroughs and the subtle ways the human mind conceptualizes complex abstract systems without the immediate constraint of traditional linguistic structures.
Who recommended it
- Henrik Karlsson Recommended
Henrik Karlsson — 1 mention
“I read u a book called u the psychology of invention in the mathematical field by a mathematician called Hadamar. Incredible book. It was written maybe early 1900s”