The Analyst a Discourse Addressed to an Infidel Mathematician - Hardcover

Berkeley, George

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1161456449 ISBN 13: 9781161456448

Publisher: Kessinger Publishing, 2010

Synopsis

The Analyst is a philosophical and mathematical treatise written by George Berkeley, an Irish philosopher, in 1734. The book is written in the form of a dialogue between a mathematician and an analyst, with the mathematician representing the views of the followers of Sir Isaac Newton and the analyst representing Berkeley's own views. The book is divided into three parts, with the first part discussing the foundations of mathematics and the second part discussing the principles of calculus. Berkeley argues that the principles of calculus, such as the notion of infinitesimals, are not well-defined and lead to contradictions. He also argues that the use of calculus is unnecessary in mathematics and that it can be replaced by more rigorous methods.In the third part of the book, Berkeley addresses the issue of skepticism and atheism. He argues that the principles of mathematics, such as the existence of an infinite and perfect God, are necessary for the foundations of knowledge and that without them, skepticism and atheism are inevitable.Overall, The Analyst is a complex and influential work that challenges the foundations of mathematics and argues for the importance of philosophical principles in understanding the world.It hath been an old remark, that Geometry is an excellent Logic. And it must be owned that when the definitions are clear; when the postulata cannot be refused, nor the axioms denied; when from the distinct contemplation and comparison of figures, their properties are derived, by a perpetual well-connected chain of consequences.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

About this title

About the Author

George Berkeley (1685-1753) was one of the three great British empiricist philosophers; his best known works include An Essay towards a New Theory of Vision and A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge.

Edition details

• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1161456449
• ISBN 13: 9781161456448
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 38