Seminar: Mathematics & Civilizations

Catalog description

The Greeks of Antiquity attributed their early notions of Mathematics to the Egyptians and Babylonians. Their own contributions were inherited by the Islamic civilization, together with the fruits of Indian Mathematics. The learning preserved and increased by the Arabs was slowly transmitted to Western Europe from 950 to 1500. The Mathematics developed in China and Pre-Columbian America was largely isolated from the mainstream of Mathematics. This course will analyze the impact of Mathematics on the development of these Civilizations, and of our own, particularly on the other sciences and on philosophy. Fulfills Core requirements: Diversity (DIV) and Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS).