Infinity and the Mathematization of Nature: Early Modern Perspectives
COL 300
Spring 2024
| Section:
01
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| This course may be repeated for credit. |
| Crosslisting:
STS 304, PHIL 304 |
| Course Cluster and Certificates: Social, Cultural, and Critical Theory Certificate |
The "mathematization of nature" is a hallmark of the so-called "scientific revolution" in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Europe. By privileging quantitative methods for measuring and explaining natural phenomena, thinkers broke with the largely "qualitative" forms of explanation typical of the Aristotelian tradition. Especially with the development of new mathematical methods--notably, advances in algebra, analytical geometry, and the development of infinitesimal calculus--the scope and explanatory power of natural philosophy was considerably extended. At the same time, however, new puzzles arose about how the pristine models of abstract mathematics could apply to the messy reality of concrete nature. This question was especially pressing in connection with new mathematics' exploitation the notion of infinity: infinite series, infinite extensions, infinitesimally small quantities, and even infinities greater than other infinities. Should we take the successful application of such infinitary mathematics to natural phenomena to imply that nature itself harbors an infinity of infinities? And how must we reconceive the cognitive powers of the human mind to make room for the fact that infinity has ceased to signify the unknowable as such and has instead become a primary tool for producing scientific knowledge?
In this seminar, we will examine some of the most prominent Early Modern applications of infinitary mathematical methods in the study of natural phenomena as well as central debates about what sense, if any, can be made of these procedures and their apparent success. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA COL |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (COL)(CSCT)(PHIL)(PHIL-Philosophy)(PHIL-Social Jus) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 75% - 89% |
| SECTION 01 |
| Instructor(s): Smyth,Daniel Times: ..T.R.. 01:20PM-02:40PM; Location: BOGH115; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: 5 | JR major: 5 | | |
| Seats Available: 0 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 3 | SO: 3 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 1 |
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