Reuben Hersh is Professor Emeritus at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. He is the recipient (with Martin Devis) of the Chauvenet Prize and (with Edgar Lorch) the Ford Prize. Hersh is the author (with Philip J. Davis) of the Mathematical Experience and Descartes' Dream. The Mathematical Experience won the National Book Award in 1983.This is the second book translated into Hungarian.

This work explains and criticises current and past theories of the nature of mathematics. Its main purpose is to confront philosophical problems: In what sense do mathemetical objects exists? Can we have knowledge of them? Why do mathematicians think mathematical entities exist forever, independent of human action and knowledge?

Hersh proposes an unconventional answer. Mathematics has existence or reality only as part of human culture. Despite its seeming timelessness and infallibility, it is a social-cultural-historic phenomenon.

In this highly iconoclastic book, Hersh argues that mathematics must be understood as a human culture, historically evolved, and intelligible only in a social context.

"Reuben Hersh puts the people into philosophy and the philosophy into mathematics: He will take your mind to places it has never dreamed of." (Ian Stewart)