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Mathematical Practitioners and the Transformation of Natural Knowledge in Early Modern EuropeIntroduction: Practical Mathematics, Practical Mathematicians, and the Case for Transforming the Study of Nature

Mathematical Practitioners and the Transformation of Natural Knowledge in Early Modern Europe:... [This book argues that we can only understand the transformations of nature studies in the early modern period, often called the Scientific Revolution, if we take seriously the interaction between those who know by doing (practitioners or craftsmen) and those who know by thinking (scholars or philosophers). Mathematical practitioners played an essential role in this transformation; this book examines the role of mathematics and mathematical practice on the changing ideology and methodology of science. We first set out the problematic, examining the argument from both sides: articulating Zilsel, Cormack identifies those dimensions of practical mathematics that showed up as important aspects of ‘the new science’; Schuster focuses on the new scientists as selective appropriators of ideas, values and practices originally embedded in practical mathematics. This book furthers the debate about the role of mathematical practice in the scientific revolution in four ways. First, it demonstrates the variability of practical mathematicians and of their practices. Second, it argues that in spite of this variability, participants were able to recognize the family resemblance between the different types. Third, differences and nuances in practical mathematics typically depended on the different contexts in which it was practiced. Fourth, this book shows that diverse and new historiographical approaches to the study of practical mathematics should be considered.] http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

Mathematical Practitioners and the Transformation of Natural Knowledge in Early Modern EuropeIntroduction: Practical Mathematics, Practical Mathematicians, and the Case for Transforming the Study of Nature

Part of the Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Book Series (volume 45)
Editors: Cormack, Lesley B.; Walton, Steven A.; Schuster, John A.
Cormack, Lesley B.
Mathematical Practitioners and the Transformation of Natural Knowledge in Early Modern Europe — Mar 16, 2017
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Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Copyright
© Springer International Publishing AG 2017
ISBN
978-3-319-49429-6
Pages
1 –8
DOI
10.1007/978-3-319-49430-2_1
Publisher site
See Chapter on Publisher Site

Abstract

[This book argues that we can only understand the transformations of nature studies in the early modern period, often called the Scientific Revolution, if we take seriously the interaction between those who know by doing (practitioners or craftsmen) and those who know by thinking (scholars or philosophers). Mathematical practitioners played an essential role in this transformation; this book examines the role of mathematics and mathematical practice on the changing ideology and methodology of science. We first set out the problematic, examining the argument from both sides: articulating Zilsel, Cormack identifies those dimensions of practical mathematics that showed up as important aspects of ‘the new science’; Schuster focuses on the new scientists as selective appropriators of ideas, values and practices originally embedded in practical mathematics. This book furthers the debate about the role of mathematical practice in the scientific revolution in four ways. First, it demonstrates the variability of practical mathematicians and of their practices. Second, it argues that in spite of this variability, participants were able to recognize the family resemblance between the different types. Third, differences and nuances in practical mathematics typically depended on the different contexts in which it was practiced. Fourth, this book shows that diverse and new historiographical approaches to the study of practical mathematics should be considered.]

Published: Mar 16, 2017

Keywords: Seventeenth Century; Sixteenth Century; Scientific Revolution; Nature Study; Family Resemblance

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