![]() Of course, the two are linked and evolved together in the early 17th century. I believe this has to do with Jesuit opposition to atomism, rather than their position on infinitesimals. The latest review is in the Notices of the American Mathematical Society by Slava Gerovitch. Paulos provides a hint of an answer in the following terms: To the Jesuits, tradition, resoluteness and authority seemed bound up with Euclid and Catholicism chaos, confusion and paradoxes were associated with infinitesimals and the motley array of proliferating Protestant sects. In particular, the book will examine a sequence of historical instances in which mathematical infinitesimals acquired political significance, showing that even the purest mathematics can at times serve to buttress or undermine a political order. Mathematics, at its most abstract, is the science of order, and it follows that different conceptions of mathematics have been associated with different views of proper social arrangements. Here is Amir Alexander's own description of his historical work: I am currently working on a new book, provisionally entitled Infinitely Small, which examines the interconnections between mathematics and political and social order. Thus the infinitesimal ban from august 1632 seems to be a separate development. He finally arrived in February 1633 and was brought before inquisitor Vincenzo Maculani to be charged. Furthermore, In September 1632, Galileo was ordered to come to Rome to stand trial. Wiki reports that the original heliocentric ban dates from 1615. Interested readers are invited to click on the "reopen" button below. I have edited the question to address the concern of critics. Wallis was not catholic but a presbyterian. In this he may have been more affected than for instance Wallis who spoke freely about infinitesimals. This may explain Fermat's legendary reluctance to talk about infinitesimals. In the meantime infinitesimals have been declared persona non-grata. Fermat originally introduced his techique of adequality in 1629, but it was first made known to a wider audience in the late 1630s. The reason this is interesting is because the date 1632 falls precisely in a critical period in Fermat's mathematical activity. What I find particularly interesting is Alexander's comment that infinitesimals were officially declared forbidden by catholic clerics on 10 august 1632. Is there any reason for such a coincidence? (2) The ban on infinitesimals and the trial against Galileo's alleged endorsement of heliocentrism date from the same year: 1632 (and in fact occurred within a month of each other). His new book is entitled "Infinitesimal: How a Dangerous Mathematical Theory Shaped the Modern World". ![]() ![]() Amir Alexander is a historian of mathematics. ![]()
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