abstract:

KLAAS VAN BERKEL
“Mathematica hic frigent“. On the decline of Mathematics teaching in the Dutch Republic in the 17^th century

The 17^th century is the century of the so-called Scientific Revolution. Although the nature of this episode in the development of Western science is highly disputed, the introduction of mathematics in the analysis of physical phenomena is considered to be one of its major characteristics. Through the efforts of people like Simon Stevin, Isaac Beeckman and Christiaan Huygens the Dutch Republic participated in this development. The major transformation in doing science however coincided with a remarkable decline in mathematics teaching at all Dutch universities, including Leiden. In the beginning of the century, mathematics teaching had been in a flourishing position, but halfway the century the number of professorships declined, the salaries of the professors were reduced and their status was lowered. Regularly, a new professor therefore felt it was necessary to begin his lectures with an oration “On the use of mathematics”. In 1670, in a letter to Leibniz the Utrecht professor Graevius simply stated: “Mathematica hic frigent”. In my paper I will deal with the social and intellectual causes of the decline in mathematics teaching, which appear to be directly related to the causes of its relatively flowering condition at the beginning of the century.