I agree that mathematicians often treat history with contempt, not in the
sense of explicitly scorning it - indeed the opposite, an invoking of
'history' may occur - but in the sense of lack of historical rigour, not
respecting history of mathematics but using convenient episodes, often
gossip with little factual basis, to spice up mathematics lectures. Eg the
maths of Pythagoras, Greek failure to solve 'the 3 classic problems',
foundation crisis caused by discovery of irrationals etc.
>
> (a) what are (in your personal opinion, naturally) the main reasons?
1 Lack of historical training, particularly an assumption that
history should somehow follow logic; mathematical reasons being perceived
as reasons why something may have, or should have, happened.
2 The earlier mentioned motive of spicing up what might otherwise be
dull presentations of mathematics
> (b) to which extent has this "contempt" been a problem to historians
> of mathematics (of yesterday and to-day)?
Mainly that students already have a raft of assumptions and prejudices when
history of maths is presented to them.
Regards
Bob Berghout
Bob Berghout, rfb@frey.newcastle.edu.au
Department of Mathematics, University of Newcastle 2308
Australia
Ph: (+61 2) 4921 5546 FAX: (+61 2) 4921 6898