LTT: Alexander Paseau - Is Historical Mathematics Largely True?

Name: LTT: Alexander Paseau - Is Historical Mathematics Largely True?
Start: 2026-11-17T17:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-11-17T18:00:00+00:00
Location: Cathedral of Learning

Tuesday 17 November 2026, 12:00Venue time (New York)

Tuesday 17 November 202612:00 · Venue time (New York)

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The Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites you to join us for our Lunch Time Talk. Attend in person at 1117 Cathedral of Learning or visit our live stream on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.

LTT: Alexander Paseau

Tuesday, November 17th @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST

Title: Is Historical Mathematics Largely True?

Abstract:

Historical mathematics is widely regarded as a repository of truths. It would seem unusually sceptical to deny that, say, ancient mathematical cultures established many truths about numbers and shapes, such as Pythagoras’ Theorem or instances of it for specific right-angled triangles.

My talk will list some of the ways in which this assumption might be tested. I’ll then focus on two case studies, both involving extra-mathematical beliefs that apparently ‘infect’, or in some way threaten, the truth of older mathematics. The first concerns 19th-century matricial algebra and the second 18th-century geometry.

This talk will also be available live streamed on:

Zoom at https://pitt.zoom.us/j/91289849273

YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.