L.E.J. Brouwer – Topologist, Intuitionist, Philosopher

L.E.J. Brouwer – Topologist, Intuitionist, Philosopher PDF Author: Dirk van Dalen
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1447146166
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 877

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Book Description
Dirk van Dalen’s biography studies the fascinating life of the famous Dutch mathematician and philosopher Luitzen Egbertus Jan Brouwer. Brouwer belonged to a special class of genius; complex and often controversial and gifted with a deep intuition, he had an unparalleled access to the secrets and intricacies of mathematics. Most mathematicians remember L.E.J. Brouwer from his scientific breakthroughs in the young subject of topology and for the famous Brouwer fixed point theorem. Brouwer’s main interest, however, was in the foundation of mathematics which led him to introduce, and then consolidate, constructive methods under the name ‘intuitionism’. This made him one of the main protagonists in the ‘foundation crisis’ of mathematics. As a confirmed internationalist, he also got entangled in the interbellum struggle for the ending of the boycott of German and Austrian scientists. This time during the twentieth century was turbulent; nationalist resentment and friction between formalism and intuitionism led to the Mathematische Annalen conflict ('The war of the frogs and the mice'). It was here that Brouwer played a pivotal role. The present biography is an updated revision of the earlier two volume biography in one single book. It appeals to mathematicians and anybody interested in the history of mathematics in the first half of the twentieth century.

L.E.J. Brouwer – Topologist, Intuitionist, Philosopher

L.E.J. Brouwer – Topologist, Intuitionist, Philosopher PDF Author: Dirk van Dalen
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1447146166
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 877

Get Book

Book Description
Dirk van Dalen’s biography studies the fascinating life of the famous Dutch mathematician and philosopher Luitzen Egbertus Jan Brouwer. Brouwer belonged to a special class of genius; complex and often controversial and gifted with a deep intuition, he had an unparalleled access to the secrets and intricacies of mathematics. Most mathematicians remember L.E.J. Brouwer from his scientific breakthroughs in the young subject of topology and for the famous Brouwer fixed point theorem. Brouwer’s main interest, however, was in the foundation of mathematics which led him to introduce, and then consolidate, constructive methods under the name ‘intuitionism’. This made him one of the main protagonists in the ‘foundation crisis’ of mathematics. As a confirmed internationalist, he also got entangled in the interbellum struggle for the ending of the boycott of German and Austrian scientists. This time during the twentieth century was turbulent; nationalist resentment and friction between formalism and intuitionism led to the Mathematische Annalen conflict ('The war of the frogs and the mice'). It was here that Brouwer played a pivotal role. The present biography is an updated revision of the earlier two volume biography in one single book. It appeals to mathematicians and anybody interested in the history of mathematics in the first half of the twentieth century.

Mystic, Geometer, and Intuitionist

Mystic, Geometer, and Intuitionist PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mathematicians
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Intuitionistic Proof Versus Classical Truth

Intuitionistic Proof Versus Classical Truth PDF Author: Enrico Martino
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319743570
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 170

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Book Description
This book examines the role of acts of choice in classical and intuitionistic mathematics. Featuring fifteen papers – both new and previously published – it offers a fresh analysis of concepts developed by the mathematician and philosopher L.E.J. Brouwer, the founder of intuitionism. The author explores Brouwer’s idealization of the creative subject as the basis for intuitionistic truth, and in the process he also discusses an important, related question: to what extent does the intuitionistic perspective succeed in avoiding the classical realistic notion of truth? The papers detail realistic aspects in the idealization of the creative subject and investigate the hidden role of choice even in classical logic and mathematics, covering such topics as bar theorem, type theory, inductive evidence, Beth models, fallible models, and more. In addition, the author offers a critical analysis of the response of key mathematicians and philosophers to Brouwer’s work. These figures include Michael Dummett, Saul Kripke, Per Martin-Löf, and Arend Heyting. This book appeals to researchers and graduate students with an interest in philosophy of mathematics, linguistics, and mathematics.

Brouwer's Intuitionism

Brouwer's Intuitionism PDF Author: Walter P. van Stigt
Publisher: North Holland
ISBN: 9780444883841
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 530

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Book Description
Dutch Mathematician Luitzen Egbertus Jan Brouwer (1881-1966) was a rebel. His doctoral thesis... was the manifesto of an angry young man taking on the mathematical establishment on all fronts. In a short time he established a world-wide reputation for himself; his genius and originality were acknowledged by the great mathematicians of his time... The Intuitionist-Formalist debate became a personal feud between the mathematical giants Brouwer and Hilbert, and ended in 1928 with the expulsion of Brouwer from the editorial board of the Mathematische Annalen by dictat of Hilbert. Forsaken, humiliated and disillusioned Brouwer abandoned his Intuitionist Programme and withdrew into silence just about the time when the Formalist Programme appeared to be fundamentally flawed and major opposition collapsed... This book attempts to follow the `genetic' development of Brouwer's ideas, linking the man Brouwer, his Weltanschauung, his philosophy of mathematics and his reconstruction of mathematics. Brouwer's own writings, his publications as well as his unpublished papers, are its immediate and main source of reference. It is the second volume in the new series Studies in the History and Philosophy of Mathematics, and is written for the specialist as well as for the general reader interested in mathematics and the interpretation of its status and function.

Mystic, Geometer, and Intuitionist

Mystic, Geometer, and Intuitionist PDF Author: Dirk van Dalen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mathematicians
Languages : en
Pages :

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The Selected Correspondence of L.E.J. Brouwer

The Selected Correspondence of L.E.J. Brouwer PDF Author: Dirk von Dalen
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0857295373
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 532

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Book Description
L.E.J. Brouwer (1881-1966) is best known for his revolutionary ideas on topology and foundations of mathematics (intuitionism). The present collection contains a mixture of letters; university and faculty correspondence has been included, some of which shed light on the student years, and in particular on the exchange of letters with his PhD adviser, Korteweg. Acting as the natural sequel to the publication of Brouwer’s biography, this book provides instrumental reading for those wishing to gain a deeper understanding of Brouwer and his role in the twentieth century. Striking a good balance of biographical and scientific information, the latter deals with innovations in topology (Cantor-Schoenflies style and the new topology) and foundations. The topological period in his research is well represented in correspondence with Hilbert, Schoenflies, Poincaré, Blumenthal, Lebesgue, Baire, Koebe, and foundational topics are discussed in letters exchanged with Weyl, Fraenkel, Heyting, van Dantzig and others. There is also a large part of correspondence on matters related to the interbellum scientific politics. This book will appeal to both graduate students and researchers with an interest in topology, the history of mathematics, the foundations of mathematics, philosophy and general science.

The Selected Correspondence of L.E.J. Brouwer

The Selected Correspondence of L.E.J. Brouwer PDF Author: Dirk von Dalen
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9780857295279
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 532

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Book Description
L.E.J. Brouwer (1881-1966) is best known for his revolutionary ideas on topology and foundations of mathematics (intuitionism). The present collection contains a mixture of letters; university and faculty correspondence has been included, some of which shed light on the student years, and in particular on the exchange of letters with his PhD adviser, Korteweg. Acting as the natural sequel to the publication of Brouwer’s biography, this book provides instrumental reading for those wishing to gain a deeper understanding of Brouwer and his role in the twentieth century. Striking a good balance of biographical and scientific information, the latter deals with innovations in topology (Cantor-Schoenflies style and the new topology) and foundations. The topological period in his research is well represented in correspondence with Hilbert, Schoenflies, Poincaré, Blumenthal, Lebesgue, Baire, Koebe, and foundational topics are discussed in letters exchanged with Weyl, Fraenkel, Heyting, van Dantzig and others. There is also a large part of correspondence on matters related to the interbellum scientific politics. This book will appeal to both graduate students and researchers with an interest in topology, the history of mathematics, the foundations of mathematics, philosophy and general science.

Mystic, Geometer, and Intuitionist

Mystic, Geometer, and Intuitionist PDF Author: Dirk van Dalen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mathematicians
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description


Brouwer meets Husserl

Brouwer meets Husserl PDF Author: Mark van Atten
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1402050879
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 213

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Book Description
Can a line be analysed mathematically such a way that it does not fall apart into a set of discrete points? Are there objects of pure mathematics that can change through time? L. E. J. Brouwer argued that the two questions are related and that the answer to both is "yes", introducing the concept of choice sequences. This book subjects Brouwer's choice sequences to a phenomenological critique in the style of Husserl.

Mystic, Geometer, and Intuitionist

Mystic, Geometer, and Intuitionist PDF Author: Dirk van Dalen
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780198516200
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 10

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Book Description
Luitzen Egbertus Jan Brouwer is a remarkable figure, both in the development of mathematics and in wider Dutch history. A mathematical genius with strong mystical and philosophical leanings, he advocated the intuitionist view of mathematics and science as a constructive mental activity. This drew him into a discussion with David Hilbert, the leading advocate of the formalist school, about the nature of mathematics, a debate which made Brouwer a legend during his lifetime. He also contributed significantly to research in topology, and was a member of the socio-linguistic Signific Circle. As well as his diverse mathematical interests he had a great impact in wider Dutch society. His keen sense of justice made him a party in many conflicts, both scientific and political. He would often be involved in controversial issues, such as the campaign to undo the boycott of German scientists, and this made him a figure both of admiration and embarrassment in his native Holland. Although his abilities won him offers from prestigious universities such as Berlin and Gottingen, he preferred to stay in Amsterdam, so that he could pursue a life of quiet unconventionality in the artist community at Laren. This book, the second in a two-volume set, provides a sophisticated analysis of this crucial era of mathematical research, but also gives an important insight into the wider life of one of the most fascinating characters involved.