Logic List Mailing Archive

"Mathematics & Mechanics in the Newtonian Age"

18-20 Sep 2017
Sevilla, Spain

Workshop "Mathematics and Mechanics in the Newtonian Age: historical and 
philosophical questions"

University of Sevilla, Institute of Mathematics (IMUS), 18-20 Sept. 2017

The problem of the ?applicability? of mathematics is justly emphasized, 
but it is often forgotten that the set-up of the problem changes with 
context. Its usual formulation presupposes the ?modern? conception of 
maths (emphasizing pure mathematics, structures, abstract axiom systems) 
and cannot be employed for the ?classical? era without questioning. We aim 
to investigate the changing configuration of relations between pure and 
?applied? maths, with particular attention to the ?classical? era (17th 
and 18th centuries) contrasted with the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Besides its historical and philosophical interest, the question is of 
current concern given that we are living changes in the understanding of 
maths, as the more ?impure? methods are once again being brought centre 
stage (see Bottazzini & Dahan Dalmedico 2001; notice also the recent 
meetings at the Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach, in 2013, 
2015).

Contributed papers will be welcome on topics relevant to the workshop.

In order to promote discussion and bring the workshop?s topic into sharper 
focus, we propose to consider, on the ?physical side,? mainly the science 
of mechanics. Obviously the mathematical treatment of other branches of 
physics is of enormous interest, but in this particular meeting we suggest 
to consider them only insofar as they have affected the most primary 
aspects of the mathematisation of physics.

One of the questions under analysis is the changing status of the 
fundamental principles of mechanics along the 19th century, from their 
earlier role as ?axioms or laws of movement? in Newton?s formulation, to 
their reconception as ?hypothesis or conventions?. Transformations in 
mathematics have played a role, alongside other factors, in this 
development.

By ?Newtonian age? we understand roughly 1700-1900, i.e., the period of 
maximum influence of Newton?s physical ideas.

Organised by research project P12-HUM-1216 ?La génesis del conocimiento 
matemático: cognición, historia y prácticas?, in cooperation with IMUS.

The invited speakers are: Robert DiSalle (University of Western Ontario), 
Helmut Pulte (Ruhr Universität Bochum-RUB), and Ivahn Smadja (Université 
de Paris Diderot ? Paris 7 & Lab. Sphère).

Proposals should be of a max. length of 500 words. Please send them to 
María de Paz <depaz.am@gmail.com <mailto:depaz.am@gmail.com>>. The call 
for papers is open until May 29th

Organising and Scientific committee: José Ferreirós, María de Ponte, Adán 
Sus (Univ. Valladolid), María de Paz

For more information, visit: https://gecomat1216.wordpress.com/ 
<https://gecomat1216.wordpress.com/>
--
[LOGIC] mailing list
http://www.dvmlg.de/mailingliste.html
Archive: http://www.illc.uva.nl/LogicList/

provided by a collaboration of the DVMLG, the Maths Departments in Bonn and Hamburg, and the ILLC at the Universiteit van Amsterdam