The Legacy of Landmark Writings in Mathematics and Yan’an Spirit

(The Second Circular)

More than most other subjects, books have played a more fundamental and lasting role in mathematics. Of course, the most famous example is Euclid's Elements. But there are also other more recent writings such as books by Gauss and Euler, which have greatly influenced the development of mathematics. They are of permanent value and are still being studied and will also be valued by many generations of mathematicians in the coming years.

Reading the writings by great mathematicians is one concrete way, or rather the key, to follow the famous advice of Abel: “By studying the masters and not their pupils.” But reading the original writings of the masters is not easy. Besides the difficulty with foreign languages, the mathematics culture and the meaning of mathematical terminologies have changed.

We need suitable and high quality translations and extensive commentaries which can put such great writings into the big spacetime of mathematics: across the time and subjects of mathematics, so that we can understand their origin and impacts. This perspective is especially dear or clear to the Chinese readers, given the extensive commentaries on the classical writings such as Lunyu（论语）by Confucius.

Of course, there are many commentaries on the Bible in the West as well. Historical understanding of masters themselves can also enrich our understanding of their works. For example, everyone knows Gauss and Galois in some ways, but there are more. For example, Gauss's touching description of his first wife and Galois's judgement of mathematics and mathematicians expressed in his testamentary letter written on the night before the fatal duel can make people understand better why they became who they are in the history of mathematics. Therefore, historical description and understanding of the classical writings is an essential part of the writings.

In view of the above consideration, we are launching a project of translating and commenting on landmark writings in mathematics with an active participation of a group of young historians and collaboration with some distinguished mathematicians. We will also explore what Yan’an Spirit can guide and enlighten us when compiling a book.

一、会议组织

主办单位：西北大学科学史高等研究院

承办单位：延安大学数学与计算机科学学院

中国科学技术史学会精密科学史专业委员会（筹）

二、时间地点

会议时间：7月29日全天报到，7月30日全天大会主题报告和邀请报告，7月31日现场学习和领会延安精神，8月1日代表离会。

报到地点：延安新区益康花园酒店(韶山街店)

会议地点：延安大学行政楼一楼报告厅

三、会议安排

四、报名日期及相关费用：

报名截止日期：2023年7月15日

会议不收取注册费，食宿、往返交通费自理。

会议联系人：郭婵婵，延安大学， yaugcc@foxmail.com

欢迎具有数学、数学史相关学科背景的在读博士或硕士研究生、在站博士后、国内外学术机构相关领域的学者参加!

附件

会议回执单