Some math concepts are too dense to grasp without first understanding the reasoning behind it, the axioms it's based on, real-world applications, metaphors, diagrams... heck, even the history behind the mathematician helps sometimes (e.g., knowing Newton was a theologist is relevant to understand some things about classic physics [1]). In fact, I love how earlier mathematicians were mostly multi-disciplinary scientists, and almost always philosophers. We need a new Renaissance.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton#Religious_views