The mathematical works of Bernard Bolzano published between 1804 and 1817

The purpose of the thesis is to assess the mathematical achievements of Bernard Bolzano on the basis of the five early published works. The material is divided into the areas of the foundations of mathematics, geometry and analysis. In making this assessment there have been two principal considerations. Firstly, any judgement of the significance of Bolzano's work should be made in the light of the historical context, so considerable space is devoted to the relevant 18th century sources. Secondly, as a general framework to the thesis there is the question of how Bolzano's general views about mathematical proofs and concepts are related to his achievements. The main claim and conclusion of the thesis is that this relationship was unusually clear and significant in the case of Bolzano's work. There is an Appendix containing the first English translation of all five of Bolzano's works as well as the German texts of their first editions.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

The Open University

Year dc:date.issued

1981

Author dc:creator

• Russ, Stephen Bruce

Language dc:language

en