Computers and Mathematics. A historical and systematic study of the interactive use of the computer within mathematics.

Period 01-10-2007 to 30-09-2010
Type Postdoctoral Fellowship
Fellow Dr. Liesbeth De Mol
Funding agency Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)

The aim of this project is to evaluate the significance of ``mechanized'' or ``computer-assisted'' mathematics for the philosophy of mathematics. Our main focus will be on the actual interactions between the mathematician and the computer, and how this interaction has changed over time. This will be done by (a) tracing the usages of the computer within mathematics throughout history (starting 1946) offering detailed case analyses, including reconstructions of actual examples (b) analysing the (ongoing) discussions between mathematicians concerning the significance of ``mechanized mathematics''