Ludic proof : Greek mathematics and the Alexandrian aesthetic / Reviel Netz.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Netz, Reviel, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mathematics, Greek.

Technical writing.

Greek language, Hellenistic (300 B.C.-600 A.D.).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xv, 255 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book represents a new departure in science studies: an analysis of a scientific style of writing, situating it within the context of the contemporary style of literature. Its philosophical significance is that it provides a novel way of making sense of the notion of a scientific style. For the first time, the Hellenistic mathematical corpus - one of the most substantial extant for the period - is placed centre-stage in the discussion of Hellenistic culture as a whole. Professor Netz argues that Hellenistic mathematical writings adopt a narrative strategy based on surprise, a compositional form based on a mosaic of apparently unrelated elements, and a carnivalesque profusion of detail. He further investigates how such stylistic preferences derive from, and throw light on, the style of Hellenistic poetry. This important book will be welcomed by all scholars of Hellenistic civilization as well as historians of ancient science and Western mathematics.

Contents:

Introduction

The carnival of calculation

The telling of mathematics

Hybrids and mosaics

The poetic interface

Conclusions and qualifications.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-107-20226-4

1-282-18708-2

9786612187087

0-511-54049-3

0-511-58147-5

0-511-53913-4

0-511-54083-3

0-511-53830-8

0-511-53997-5

OCLC:

609840626