The influence of positivism on the teaching of mathematics in Brazil: 1870--1930

DOI10.1006/HMAT.1999.2251MaRDI QIDQ1969912zbMATH OpenOpenAlexFDO

Authors Circe Mary Silva da Silva

Publication date 8 October 2000

Published in Historia Mathematica (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://doi.org/10.1006/hmat.1999.2251

zbMATH Keywords

A. ComteBrazilian mathematics

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Methodology of mathematics (00A35) History of mathematics in the 19th century (01A55) History of mathematics in the 20th century (01A60) History of mathematics education (97-03)

Review text

The authoress makes a notable contribution to the history of mathematics education and institutions by describing quite novel developments in Brazil. The unique feature there is the great extent to which influence was exerted by the positivist philosophy of Auguste Comte. It came to affect various aspects of Brazilian society including the construction of a `church of humanity' in Rio de Janeiro (shown on p. 332). This philosophy is evident in, for example, the prominence of geometry and algebra in the curriculum (not least Comte's own textbook of 1843, which received a new edition in 1894 with Brazilian help). The information on the end of the period covered is enhanced by recollections of a figure promiment then, made to the authoress in 1989.

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