[HM] Showalter (mostly)

Jeremy Gray (j.j.gray@open.ac.uk)
Tue, 5 Jan 1999 22:02:21 -0000

Dear All
I'm no expert on this, but the historical literature I know says that
Holder (that's Otto, as in group theory) is a major figure in this, as
is Bertrand Russell. The standard account of what measurement is taken
to be is given in Campbell (Campbell, N.R. 1920, Physics, The Elements)
this is the 'definitive' source of the representational theory of
measurement. Holder (I miss that umlaut) wrote in the manner of Hilbert
on segment arithmetik, which can be, for example, non-Archimedean. Not
having read Robert's pieces (apologies) I don't know if any of this is
relevant or well-known, but it seems interesting.
On another matter, I too was disturbed by the way Otto Neugebauer, a
remarkable scholar, truly energetic and innovative, was so glibly
dismissed. Just think what he learned and discovered, and how difficult
it was. The idea that we must know everything before we begin is palpably
absurd. I'd like to thank Avinoam for restoring some humility to the
discussions.
A good and learned 99 to you all
Jeremy