| Infinitesimal Differences: Controversies Between Leibniz and His Contemporaries Contributor(s): Goldenbaum, Ursula (Editor), Jesseph, Douglas (Editor) |
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ISBN: 3110202166 ISBN-13: 9783110202168 Publisher: de Gruyter OUR PRICE: $228.00 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: August 2008 Annotation: The development of the calculus during the 17th century was successful in mathematical practice, but raised questions about the nature of infinitesimals: were they real or rather fictitious? This collection of essays, by scholars from Canada, the US, Germany, Japan and Switzerland, gives a comprehensive study of the controversies over the nature and status of the infinitesimal. Aside from Leibniz, the scholars considered are Hobbes, Wallis, Newton, Bernoulli, Hermann, and Nieuwentijt. The collection also contains newly discovered marginalia of Leibniz to the writings of Hobbes. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History |
| Dewey: 193 |
| Physical Information: 0.9" H x 6.3" W x 9.2" (1.30 lbs) 633 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The essays offer a unified and comprehensive view of 17th century mathematical and metaphysical disputes overstatus of infinitesimals, particularly the question whether they were real or mere fictions. Leibniz's development of the calculus and his understanding of its metaphysical foundation are taken as both a point of departure and a frame of reference for the 17th century discussions of infinitesimals, that involved Hobbes, Wallis, Newton, Bernoulli, Hermann, and Nieuwentijt. Although the calculus was undoubtedly successful in mathematical practice, it remained controversial because its procedures seemed to lack an adequate metaphysical or methodological justification. The topic is also of philosophical interest, because Leibniz freely employed the language of infinitesimal quantities in the foundations of his dynamics and theory of forces. Thus, philosophical disputes over the Leibnizian science of bodies naturally involve questions about the nature of infinitesimals. The volume also includes newly discovered Leibnizian marginalia in the mathematical writings of Hobbes. |