Anachronisms in the history of mathematics : essays on the historical interpretation of mathematical texts / edited by Niccolò Guicciardini.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Guicciardini, Niccolò, editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mathematics--History.

Mathematics.

Mathematics--Historiography.

History--Methodology.

History.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xcvi, 1214 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2021.

Summary:

The controversial matters surrounding the notion of anachronism are difficult ones: they have been broached by literary and art critics, by philosophers, as well as by historians of science. This book adopts a bottom-up approach to the many problems concerning anachronism in the history of mathematics. Some of the leading scholars in the field of history of mathematics reflect on the applicability of present-day mathematical language, concepts, standards, disciplinary boundaries, indeed notions of mathematics itself, to well-chosen historical case studies belonging to the mathematics of the past, in European and non-European cultures. A detailed introduction describes the key themes and binds the various chapters together. The interdisciplinary and transcultural approach adopted allows this volume to cover topics important for history of mathematics, history of the physical sciences, history of science, philosophy of mathematics, history of philosophy, methodology of history, non-European science, and the transmission of mathematical knowledge across cultures.

Contents:

Introduction: The historical interpretation of mathematical texts and the problem of anachronism / Niccolò Guicciardini

From reading rules to reading algorithms : textual anachronisms in the history of mathematics and their effects on interpretation / Karine Chemla

Anachronism and anachorism in the study of mathematics in India / Kim Plofker

On the need to re-examine the relationship between the mathematical sciences and philosophy in Greek antiquity / Jacqueline Feke

Productive anachronism : on mathematical reconstruction as a historiographical method / Martina R. Schneider

Anachronism in the Renaissance historiography of mathematics / Robert Goulding

Deceptive familiarity : differential equations in Leibniz and the Leibnizian school (1689-1736) / Niccolò Guicciardini

Euler and analysis : case studies and historiographical perspectives / Craig Fraser and Andrew Schroter

Measuring past geometers : a history of non-metric projective anachronism / Jemma Lorenat

Anachronism : Bonola and non-Euclidean geometry / Jeremy Gray

Anachronism and incommensurability : words, concepts, contexts, and intentions / Joseph W. Dauben.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 19 Jul 2021).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-108-88328-1

1-108-87456-8

OCLC:

1317427521