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This book presents William Clifford's English translation of Bernhard Riemann's classic text together with detailed mathematical, historical and philosophical commentary. The basic concepts and ideas, as well as their mathematical background, are provided, putting Riemann's reasoning into the more general and systematic perspective achieved by later mathematicians and physicists (including Helmholtz, Ricci, Weyl, and Einstein) on the basis of his seminal ideas. Following a historical introduction that positions Riemann's work in the context of his times, the history of the concept of space in philosophy, physics and mathematics is systematically presented. A subsequent chapter on the reception and influence of the text accompanies the reader from Riemann's times to contemporary research.
Not only mathematicians and historians of the mathematical sciences, but also readers from other disciplines or those with an interest in physics or philosophy will find this work both appealing and insightful.
List of contents
Introduction.- Historical background.- Riemann's habilitation.- Presentation of the texts.- Reception and impact on history.- Modern research.- Bibliography.
Summary
This book presents William Clifford’s English translation of Bernhard Riemann’s classic text together with detailed mathematical, historical and philosophical commentary. The basic concepts and ideas, as well as their mathematical background, are provided, putting Riemann’s reasoning into the more general and systematic perspective achieved by later mathematicians and physicists (including Helmholtz, Ricci, Weyl, and Einstein) on the basis of his seminal ideas. Following a historical introduction that positions Riemann’s work in the context of his times, the history of the concept of space in philosophy, physics and mathematics is systematically presented. A subsequent chapter on the reception and influence of the text accompanies the reader from Riemann’s times to contemporary research.
Not only mathematicians and historians of the mathematical sciences, but also readers from other disciplines or those with an interest in physics or philosophy will find this work both appealing and insightful.
Additional text
“It is a modern version of the classical Riemann’s lecture about developments in the geometry and the birth of the Riemannian geometry. … it brings the basic concepts and the necessary mathematical background that will help you to read this important and classical piece of work that was Riemann’s lecture on geometry. … interesting not only to mathematicians but also to physicist and philosophers. It is an interesting and well-crafted book and I recommend it to your personal library.” (Philosophy, Religion and Science Book Reviews, bookinspections.wordpress.com, June, 2016)
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"It is a modern version of the classical Riemann's lecture about developments in the geometry and the birth of the Riemannian geometry. ... it brings the basic concepts and the necessary mathematical background that will help you to read this important and classical piece of work that was Riemann's lecture on geometry. ... interesting not only to mathematicians but also to physicist and philosophers. It is an interesting and well-crafted book and I recommend it to your personal library." (Philosophy, Religion and Science Book Reviews, bookinspections.wordpress.com, June, 2016)
