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Mathematical Practitioners and the Transformation of Natural Knowledge in Early Modern EuropeThe Making of Practical Optics: Mathematical Practitioners’ Appropriation of Optical Knowledge Between Theory and Practice

Mathematical Practitioners and the Transformation of Natural Knowledge in Early Modern Europe:... [The discussion of the differing practices of mathematical practitioners’ appropriation of the optical tradition in this essay brings out a variety among mathematical practitionersmathematical practitioners and within the tradition of practical mathematics. This diversity is difficult to grasp in accounts of practical mathematicspractical mathematics which oppose theory and practice as mutually exclusive categories. Comparing the optical projects of two geographically and socially differentiated mathematicians, the Venetian physician and mathematician Ettore AusonioAusonio, Ettore and the English town councilman and volunteer gunner, William BourneBourne, William, this essay argues that mathematical practitioners’ appropriation of optical knowledge depended upon the complexities of personal and local contexts, such as the perception of patronage opportunities. Notwithstanding the cognitive similarities of their optical projects, the balance of theory and practice is different in the presentation of their shared knowledge. Ausonio’Ausonio, Ettores practical opticspractical optics, which aimed at the design of an instrument by offering a theoric, is contrasted with Bourne’Bourne, Williams project for the making of a telescopetelescope, which lacked any attempt at a theoric. The essay shows that, rather than as an established category, practical optics should be understood as the result of a construction by Renaissance mathematical practitionersmathematical practitioners’ appropriationsappropriation of the perspectivist optical tradition.] http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

Mathematical Practitioners and the Transformation of Natural Knowledge in Early Modern EuropeThe Making of Practical Optics: Mathematical Practitioners’ Appropriation of Optical Knowledge Between Theory and Practice

Part of the Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Book Series (volume 45)
Editors: Cormack, Lesley B.; Walton, Steven A.; Schuster, John A.
Dupré, Sven
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
131 –148
DOI
10.1007/978-3-319-49430-2_7
Publisher site
See Chapter on Publisher Site

Abstract

[The discussion of the differing practices of mathematical practitioners’ appropriation of the optical tradition in this essay brings out a variety among mathematical practitionersmathematical practitioners and within the tradition of practical mathematics. This diversity is difficult to grasp in accounts of practical mathematicspractical mathematics which oppose theory and practice as mutually exclusive categories. Comparing the optical projects of two geographically and socially differentiated mathematicians, the Venetian physician and mathematician Ettore AusonioAusonio, Ettore and the English town councilman and volunteer gunner, William BourneBourne, William, this essay argues that mathematical practitioners’ appropriation of optical knowledge depended upon the complexities of personal and local contexts, such as the perception of patronage opportunities. Notwithstanding the cognitive similarities of their optical projects, the balance of theory and practice is different in the presentation of their shared knowledge. Ausonio’Ausonio, Ettores practical opticspractical optics, which aimed at the design of an instrument by offering a theoric, is contrasted with Bourne’Bourne, Williams project for the making of a telescopetelescope, which lacked any attempt at a theoric. The essay shows that, rather than as an established category, practical optics should be understood as the result of a construction by Renaissance mathematical practitionersmathematical practitioners’ appropriationsappropriation of the perspectivist optical tradition.]

Published: Mar 16, 2017

Keywords: Sixteenth Century; Practical Knowledge; Convex Lens; Concave Mirror; Practical Optic

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