To refine search, see subtopic Isaac Newton (1642-1727). To expand search, see The 1600s and England. Laterally related topics: Germany in the 1600s, Italy in the 1600s, France in the 1600s, Holland/The Netherlands in the 1600s, England in the 1400s, England in the Middle Ages, and England in the 1900s.
The Mathematics and the Liberal Arts pages are intended to be a resource for student research projects and for teachers interested in using the history of mathematics in their courses. Many pages focus on ethnomathematics and in the connections between mathematics and other disciplines. The notes in these pages are intended as much to evoke ideas as to indicate what the books and articles are about. They are not intended as reviews. However, some items have been reviewed in Mathematical Reviews, published by The American Mathematical Society. When the mathematical review (MR) number and reviewer are known to the author of these pages, they are given as part of the bibliographic citation. Subscribing institutions can access the more recent MR reviews online through MathSciNet.
Chandrasekhar, S. Shakespeare, Newton and Beethoven or patterns of creativity. Current Sci. 70 (1996), no. 9, 810--822. SC: 01A99, MR: 1 387 202.
Discusses the creative lives of Shakespeare, Newton, and Beethoven. The example of Newton contrasts with the other two, particularly in how old they were when they did their most creative work. While the best work of poets is often later in life, G. H. Hardy tells us that the best work of mathematicians is generally when they are young. Chandrasekhar gives the additional examples of the mathematicians or scientists James Clerk Maxwell, George Gabriel Stokes, and Albert Einstein. Lord Rayleigh's example is different, and gives us a possible explanation of the differences we've seen. In the words of J. J. Thomson, "There are some great men of science whose charm consists in having said the first word on a subject, in having introduced some new idea which has proved fruitful; there are others whose charm consists perhaps in having said the last word on the subject, and who have reduced the subject to logical consistency and clearness. I think by temperament Lord Rayleigh belonged to the second group." Chandrasekhar then discusses the importance of beauty to mathematics and science, and concludes with statements of scientists and poets on one or the other of the two disciplines (some comments are more favorable than others). Closely related topics: Creativity, Shakespeare, Isaac Newton (1642-1727), and Beethoven.Modify notes on this entry Modify bibliography entry Make comment on this entry
Hansen, David W. The Dependence of Mathematics on Reality. Mathematics Teacher 64 (1971), 715--19.
Discusses how the greatest mathematicians have been vitally concerned with the real world. Uses Archimedes, Newton, and Gauss as examples. Archimedes did so much applied work that it is hard to see how he fits Plutarch's description of considering mechanical work ignoble and inferior. The case of Newton is of course well known. An interesting example is Gauss, who used the motto "Thou, nature art my goddess;to thy laws/My services are bound" from Shakespeare's King Lear. Newton and Gauss were also very interested in religion. Philosophy was very important to Gauss. Reprinted in Swetz, Frank J., From Five Fingers to Infinity. Closely related topics: Applied Mathematics (General), Archimedes, Isaac Newton (1642-1727), Karl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855), Religion, and Philosophy. Also possibly relevant: Literature.Modify notes on this entry Modify bibliography entry Make comment on this entry
Modify this category Add bibliography entry Make comment on this category