L.E.J. Brouwer topologist, intuitionist, philosopher Dirk van Dalen

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dalen, D. van (Dirk), 1932-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Brouwer, L. E. J. (Luitzen Egbertus Jan), 1881-1966.

Brouwer, L. E. J.

Mathematicians--Netherlands--Biography.

Mathematicians.

Netherlands.

Genre:

Biographies

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

London New York Springer ©2013

Summary:

Dirk van Dalen's biography studies the fascinating life of the famous Dutch mathematician and philosopher Luitzen Egbertus Jan Brouwer. Brouwer belonged to a special class of genius; complex and often controversial and gifted with a deep intuition, he had an unparalleled access to the secrets and intricacies of mathematics. Most mathematicians remember L.E.J. Brouwer from his scientific breakthroughs in the young subject of topology and for the famous Brouwer fixed point theorem. Brouwer's main interest, however, was in the foundation of mathematics which led him to introduce, and then consolidate, constructive methods under the name 'intuitionism'. This made him one of the main protagonists in the 'foundation crisis' of mathematics. As a confirmed internationalist, he also got entangled in the interbellum struggle for the ending of the boycott of German and Austrian scientists. This time during the twentieth century was turbulent; nationalist resentment and friction between formalism and intuitionism led to the Mathematische Annalen conflict ('The war of the frogs and the mice'). It was here that Brouwer played a pivotal role. The present biography is an updated revision of the earlier two volume biography in one single book. It appeals to mathematicians and anybody interested in the history of mathematics in the first half of the twentieth century

Contents:

Child and Student Mathematics and Mysticism The Dissertation Cantor-Schoenflies Topology The New Topology Making a Career The War Years Mathematics After the War Politics and Mathematics The Breakthrough The Fathers of Dimension Progress, Recognition, and Frictions From Berlin to Vienna The Three Battles The Thirties War and Occupation Postwar Events The Restless Emeritus

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index

Print version record

Other Format:

Print version Dalen, D. van (Dirk), 1932- L.E.J. Brouwer

ISBN:

9781447146162

1447146166

1447146158

9781447146155

9781283933414

1283933411

OCLC:

821611538

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license