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Philosophy of Mathematics and Mathematical Practice in the Seventeenth Century
Paolo Mancosu
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Description for Philosophy of Mathematics and Mathematical Practice in the Seventeenth Century
paperback. Provides an account of the relationship between mathematical advances of the 17th century and the philosophy of mathematics of the period. Starting with the Renaissance debates on the certainty of mathematics, the book explores the issues raised by the emergence of these mathematical techniques. Num Pages: 288 pages, 42 black and white illustrations. BIC Classification: HPC; PBB. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational. Dimension: 234 x 155 x 17. Weight in Grams: 447. Good clean copy with minor shelfwear, remains very good
The seventeenth century saw dramatic advances in mathematical theory and practice. With the recovery of many of the classical Greek mathematical texts, new techniques were introduced, and within 100 years, the rules of analytic geometry, geometry of indivisibles, arithmetic of infinites, and calculus were developed. Although many technical studies have been devoted to these innovations, Mancosu provides the first comprehensive account of the relationship between mathematical advances of the seventeenth century and the philosophy of mathematics of the period. Starting with the Renaissance debates on the certainty of mathematics, Mancosu leads the reader through the foundational issues raised by the emergence of these new mathematical techniques, including the influence of the Aristotelian conception of science in Cavalieri and Guldin, the foundational relevance of Descartes' Geometrie, the relation between geometrical and epistemological theories of the infinite, and the Leibnizian calculus and the opposition to infinitesimalist procedures. In the process Mancosu draws a sophisticated picture of the subtle dependencies between technical development and philosophical reflection in seventeenth century mathematics.
Product Details
Format
Paperback
Publication date
1999
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Condition
Used, Very Good
Number of Pages
288
Place of Publication
New York, United States
ISBN
9780195132441
SKU
KSG0034114
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 2 to 4 working days
Ref
99-1
Reviews for Philosophy of Mathematics and Mathematical Practice in the Seventeenth Century
Students of the history of mathematics and philosophers of mathematics will find this a valuable addition to the literature.
Choice
Mancosu's book shows philosophical acumen as well as high technical competence
and it makes good reading even as it explores abstruse notions or involved technicalities. For historians of early modern mathematics, it is essential reading.
Isis
Mancosu tells the story well and is good at bringing out significant points.
International Philosophical Quarterly
This is a very carefully researched and documented analysis of the rich relationship between philosophy of mathematics and mathematical practice during the 17th century.
Mathematical Reviews
Mancosu's scholarly book is very carefully researched, but it is also clearly written and fascinating to read. It is not to be missed by anyone with a serious interest in philosophy of mathematics.
Philosophia Mathematica
Choice
Mancosu's book shows philosophical acumen as well as high technical competence
and it makes good reading even as it explores abstruse notions or involved technicalities. For historians of early modern mathematics, it is essential reading.
Isis
Mancosu tells the story well and is good at bringing out significant points.
International Philosophical Quarterly
This is a very carefully researched and documented analysis of the rich relationship between philosophy of mathematics and mathematical practice during the 17th century.
Mathematical Reviews
Mancosu's scholarly book is very carefully researched, but it is also clearly written and fascinating to read. It is not to be missed by anyone with a serious interest in philosophy of mathematics.
Philosophia Mathematica