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How applied mathematics became pure

Penelope Maddy
University of California at Irvine

Friday, February 15, 2008
007 Kemeny Hall, 4 pm
Tea 3:30 pm, 300 Kemeny Hall

Abstract: This talk traces the evolution of thinking on how mathematics relates to the world---from the ancients, though the beginnings of mathematized science in Galileo and Newton, to the rise of pure mathematics during the nineteenth century. The goal is to better understand the role of mathematics in contemporary science.

This talk will be accessible to graduate students.