Opinionated History of Mathematics

By: Intellectual Mathematics
  • Summary

  • History of mathematics research with iconoclastic madcap twists
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Episodes
  • Did Copernicus steal ideas from Islamic astronomers?
    Nov 29 2023
    Copernicus’s planetary models contain elements also found in the works of late medieval Islamic astronomers associated with the Maragha School, including the Tusi couple and Ibn al-Shatir’s models for the Moon and Mercury. On this basis many historians have concluded that Copernicus must have gotten his hands on these Maragha ideas somehow or other, even … Continue reading Did Copernicus steal ideas from Islamic astronomers?
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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • Operational Einstein: constructivist principles of special relativity
    Jul 23 2023
    Einstein’s theory of special relativity defines time and space operationally, that is to say, in terms of the actions performed to measure them. This is analogous to the constructivist spirit of classical geometry. Transcript Oh no, we are chained to a wall! Aaah! This is going to mess up our geometry big time. Remember what … Continue reading Operational Einstein: constructivist principles of special relativity
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • Review of Netz’s New History of Greek Mathematics
    Oct 11 2022
    Reviel Netz’s New History of Greek Mathematics contains a number of factual errors, both mathematical and historical. Netz is dismissive of traditional scholarship in the field, but in some ways represents a step backwards with respect to that tradition. I argue against Netz’s dismissal of many anecdotal historical testimonies as fabrications, and his “ludic proof” … Continue reading Review of Netz’s New History of Greek Mathematics
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    52 mins

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