In recent studies ‘mathematical culture’ has been referred to with increasing frequency. However, the attempts to characterize a notion of mathematical culture have shown that it is difficult to find a notion that proves of general validity, or that enjoys general acceptance. Simultaneously, they show that scholars now agree to analyze mathematical knowledge, as a social product, in connection to the context(s) in which it is produced, expressed, used and transmitted. In this cycle of seminars we shall not adopt one notion of mathematical culture from the start. Rather, we propose to look at three pivotal dimensions to provide a framework for such a notion: the intellectual, the formal and the social dimensions. We see these three dimensions as multifaceted and intertwined when we examine the way in which mathematics unfolds (diachronically and synchronically). Using different case studies, the seminars will discuss their dynamic relations.
12/07/2022 – “Mathematical Culture in a Maritime Context”, Henrique Leitão (Ciências ULisboa/CIUHCT)
Organization
Daniele Molinini (CFCUL), Samuel Gessner (CIUHCT)
Previous sessions
22/02/2022 – “Mathematical Cultures: Which Problems and Which Perspectives?”, Karine Chemla (CNRS, Research group SPHERE)
15/03/2022 – “Mathematical Education as Culture: The Case of Bernard Bolzano in Prague”, Davide Crippa (Ca’ Foscari University, Venice)
05/04/2022 – “The Mathematical Cultures of Alfonsine Astronomers”, Matthieu Husson (History of Astral Sciences team at SYRTE laboratory, Paris Observatory)
26/04/2022 – “Ideologies and Mathematical Cultures in the 20th Century”, José Ferreirós (University of Seville)
17/05/2022 – “Reasoning vs. Calculation: Two Cultures of Proof in the 19th Century?”, Caroline Ehrhardt (Université Paris 8, Institutions et Dynamiques Historiques de l’Economie et de la Société – IDHE.S, UMR 8533)
14/06/2022 – “Changing approaches to equations in Cardano’s works: proportions, shapes, substitutions”, Sara Confalonieri (HPS, Université Paris Cité & SPHERE, CNRS)
30/06/2022 – “Why would anyone not take a cultural approach to mathematics?”, Brendan Larvor (University of Hertfordshire, UK)