"The Evolution of the Term "Mixed Mathematics

Bibliographic Data

ID4456359
AuthorsGary I Brown (corresponding author)
Year1991
Volume52
Issue1
Pages81
Publication date1991-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of the History of Ideas (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-5037 • E-ISSN: 1086-3222
PublisherJSTOR (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/2709583
OpenAlexW2325435468
LanguageEN
Citations received8

ed and separated from matter and therefore most proper 'Metaphysic.' 7 After Bacon had placed in category of metaphysics, he proceeded subdivide into and mathematics. According Bacon, to pure belong those sciences which handle Quantity entirely from matter and from axioms of natural These are two Geometry and Arithmetics;... has for its subject some axioms and parts of natural philosophy, and consider quantity in so far as it assists explain, demonstrate, and actuate these.8 For Bacon seemed be necessary explain nature, though severed from matter and axioms of natural philosophy. Bacon provided six branches for his mixed mathematics category (see figure 1), including perspective, music, astronomy, cosmography, architecture, and Enginery. Music and astronomy were among classical liberal arts. According Kawajiri, remaining branches had their origins in Arabian mathematics. It may not be too much say that Bacon's concept was result of superimposing Arabian view of learnings on Greek traditions.9 I have found no evidence that term mixed mathematics was ever used before Bacon, nor have I found it being used by any of prominent geometers of seventeenth century. According Oxford English Dictionary,10 term did appear as early as 1648 as follows: Wilkins, Magick: is usually divided into pure and mixed. The was referring John Wilkins (1614-72) and Math. magick book Mathematical Magick, whose subtitle was the wonders that may be performed by mechanical geometry. I have not ascertained why term mixed mathematics was associated with Wilkins rather than Bacon or who else had used it around this period of time, but in any case it seemed that term mixed mathematics was well established during seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. D'Alembert and Mixed Mathematics After Bacon first significant intellectual who used term mixed mathematics was eighteenth-century geometer and philosophe Jean d'Alembert (1717-83). D'Alembert had translated Bacon's essays and was clearly familiar with his most extensive treatises. Why should one single out d'Alembert in eighteenth century when attempting analyze meaning of term mixed mathematics

Epistemology · Mathematical economics · Mathematics education · Physics · Term (time) · Architecture and Art History Studies · History and Theory of Mathematics · Mathematics · Mathematics and Applications · Philosophy

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