Philosophers, Mathematics and Motion

Teun Koetsier*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book / Report / Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Kinematics studies motion without considering masses and forces. It deals with geometric objects such as points, lines or planes that move in a fixed Euclidean space. The philosopher Zeno of Elea took an extreme position on this point. He held that motion does not exist, implying that kinematics makes no sense. Zeno had no followers among mathematicians. On the contrary, in Greek geometry motion played an essential role. Yet against the background of the Eleatic philosophy, motion seemed a foreign element in a realm of eternal truths, and many centuries later Proclus still wrestled with the problem.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationA History of Kinematics from Zeno to Einstein
Subtitle of host publicationOn the Role of Motion in the Development of Mathematics
EditorsTeun Koetsier
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media B.V.
Pages1-20
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9783031398728
ISBN (Print)9783031398711, 9783031398742
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Publication series

NameHistory of Mechanism and Machine Science
Volume46
ISSN (Print)1875-3442
ISSN (Electronic)1875-3426

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