On the conception of mathematical objects and methods in d'Alembert's philosophical texts (Q2279708): Difference between revisions

Jean le Rond d'Alembert (1717--1783) has devoted much attention to the ``métaphysique des mathématiques''. Relying upon his many writings on the subject, the author outlines some of its features. He starts with the d'Alembert's views on the role of mathematics in studying nature, followed by a hierachy of mathematical domains depending on the degree of their abstractness, his views upon the role of definitions, his understanding of general quantities, numbers and rules of algebra, coming to the problem of reality of mathematical objects discussed in the case of irrationals. The last part of the paper is devoted to difficulties encountered then in some domains of mathematics and d'Alembert's efforts to solve them: algebra and negative numbers, principles of geometry, basic role of the limit concept in differential calculus. The paper is completed by a vast bibliography.