Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2002
Time: 8:00pm Place: Hylan 901 (Undergraduate Math Lounge)

The talk is for those interested in history and philosophy as well as those interested in mathematics. Prof. Segal will be teaching MTH302W (History of Mathematics II) next semester (Spring 2003).

(Pizza to be served at 7:45 as usual in the Math Lounge.)

Abstract:

Much is often made of the tremendous effects on mathematics (and other science) of the expulsion and destruction of Jews (though often without any religious practice) and other "undesirables" in Germany under the Nazis. However many German mathematicians remained active in Germany . This list includes among others such well-known names (in alphabetical order) as: Behnke, Bieberbach, Blaschke, Caratheodory, Deuring, Doetsch, Hamel, Hasse, Hecke, Herglotz, Kamke, Knopp, Perron, Reidemeister, Teichmueller, Tietze, Witt, Zassenhaus. Nazi Germany was certainly not a Sahara of Mathematics. These mathematicians showed every variety of reaction to the Nazi regime. This talk will examine some of those reactions, and the political interactions for mathematical journals and mathematical institutions in Nazi Germany.
Posted by Michael Gage on 11/13/02; 2:07:52 AM
from the dept.
Discuss