The Impact of Modern Mathematics on Ancient Mathematics

Wilbur R. Knorr

Revue d'histoire des mathématiques (2001)

  • Volume: 7, Issue: 1, page 119-133
  • ISSN: 1262-022X

Abstract

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In a hitherto unpublished lecture, delivered in Atlanta, 1975, W.R. Knorr reflects on historical method, its sensitivity to modern work, both in mathematics and in the philosophy of mathematics. Three examples taken from the work of Tannery, Hasse, Scholz and Becker and concerning the study of pre-euclidean geometry are discussed: the mis-described discovery of irrational ‘numbers’, the alleged foundations crisis in the 5th century B.C. and the problem of constructibility.

How to cite

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Knorr, Wilbur R.. "The Impact of Modern Mathematics on Ancient Mathematics." Revue d'histoire des mathématiques 7.1 (2001): 119-133. <http://eudml.org/doc/252028>.

@article{Knorr2001,
abstract = {In a hitherto unpublished lecture, delivered in Atlanta, 1975, W.R. Knorr reflects on historical method, its sensitivity to modern work, both in mathematics and in the philosophy of mathematics. Three examples taken from the work of Tannery, Hasse, Scholz and Becker and concerning the study of pre-euclidean geometry are discussed: the mis-described discovery of irrational ‘numbers’, the alleged foundations crisis in the 5th century B.C. and the problem of constructibility.},
author = {Knorr, Wilbur R.},
journal = {Revue d'histoire des mathématiques},
keywords = {pre-euclidean greek geometry; discovery of incommensurability; foundation crisis; constructibility; irrational numbers; philosophy of mathematics; pre-Euclidean Greek geometry},
language = {eng},
number = {1},
pages = {119-133},
publisher = {Société mathématique de France},
title = {The Impact of Modern Mathematics on Ancient Mathematics},
url = {http://eudml.org/doc/252028},
volume = {7},
year = {2001},
}

TY - JOUR
AU - Knorr, Wilbur R.
TI - The Impact of Modern Mathematics on Ancient Mathematics
JO - Revue d'histoire des mathématiques
PY - 2001
PB - Société mathématique de France
VL - 7
IS - 1
SP - 119
EP - 133
AB - In a hitherto unpublished lecture, delivered in Atlanta, 1975, W.R. Knorr reflects on historical method, its sensitivity to modern work, both in mathematics and in the philosophy of mathematics. Three examples taken from the work of Tannery, Hasse, Scholz and Becker and concerning the study of pre-euclidean geometry are discussed: the mis-described discovery of irrational ‘numbers’, the alleged foundations crisis in the 5th century B.C. and the problem of constructibility.
LA - eng
KW - pre-euclidean greek geometry; discovery of incommensurability; foundation crisis; constructibility; irrational numbers; philosophy of mathematics; pre-Euclidean Greek geometry
UR - http://eudml.org/doc/252028
ER -

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