Philosophy in Mathematics

Philosophy in Mathematics

Mathematics has contributed to the alteration of technology over many years. The most noticeable mathematical technology is the evolution of the abacus to the many variations of the calculator. Some people argue that the changes in technology have been for the better while others argue they have been for the worse. While this paper does not address specifically technology, this paper rather addresses influential persons in philosophy to the field of mathematics. In order to understand the impact of mathematics, this paper will delve into the three philosophers of the past who have contributed to this academic. In this paper, I will cover the views of three philosophers of mathematics encompassing their history, views and effects on technology. Rene Descartes (1596-1650), G. W. Leibniz (1646-1716), and Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) (Ebersole, S. (#5)) are the three philosophers. Though all three of these philosophers contributed their own reviews on the subject of mathematical philosophy, they all saw the world and thus it‘s mechanical contributions “as being controlled by mathematical principles.” (Ebersole, S.).

Rene Descartes was born, March 31, 1596 near Tours, France (Weisstein, E.), to an important family; Descartes’ father held a position as “Councilor” in the local parliament. Rene was the 2nd of four children in his family, and suffered chronic illness’ (Wilkins, D.). At the young age of 8 years old, Descartes attended a school for which he would hold indubitable regard, the Jesuit School at La Flêche.

Descartes would continue at this school for eight years until 1612 at which point the encountered the influential (on his life) Mydorge and Mersenne. Together Descartes would devot...

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...d November 16, 2003, from ‘A Short Account of the History of Mathematics’ (4th edition, 1908) by W.W. Rouse Ball. Website: http://www.maths.tcd.ie/pub/HistMath/People/Pascal/RouseBall/RB_Pascal.html

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