Chapter 3: Computer Science And Mathematics: How Can—or Should—The Twain Meet?

Oh, to be a computer scientist in 1982. We have what must be close to the best of all possible worlds. Our work is as exciting and rewarding—in all meanings of that word—as that of any profession. And it is as certain as such things can be that both will continue to be true for many years. We have, thus, more affluence and influence than most of us would have expected—and perhaps more than many of us, on some absolute basis, deserve. How will we use that influence? Only to pursue our own scientific and technological concerns? Which is to say—shall we act like the technocrats we are perceived to be by so much of society? Or shall we try to use our positions and influence in a wider sphere? There are, indeed, many “wider spheres” that could be so considered. In the paper I shall consider one: How should the discipline of computer science affect and be affected by mathematics with regard to both teaching and research?