Knowledge, Representation, and Proof in the Modern Era

Location: McKenna Hall, Room 210–214

This is a History and Philosophy of Science Program conference. It is co-sponsored by the Reilly Center for Science, Technology, and Values, and the Philosophy of Mathematics program.

Conference program:

9:00 a.m.: Douglas Jesseph, University of South Florida
“Leibniz on the Eliminability of Infinitesimals: Strategies for Finding Truth in Fiction”

10:20 a.m.: Andrew Arana, Kansas State University; Sebastien Maronne, Université de Toulouse
“Complexity and Opacity in Early Modern Geometry”

11:40 a.m.: Mary Domski, University of New Mexico
“Descartes and Newton on the Mathematical Character of Natural Philosophy”

LUNCH

2:30 p.m.: Emily Carson, McGill University
“Sensibility, Understanding, and Number in Kant”

3:50 p.m.: Vincenzo DeRisi, Max Planck Institute for the History of Science
“Proving an Axiom Qua Axiom. On the Mathematical Epistemology of Gerolamo Saccheri”

BREAK

5:15 p.m.: Stephen Gaukroger, University of Sydney
“Representation and Demonstration: The Roots of the Early Modern Preoccupation With Representation”