Questioning the foundations of modern analysis and the claims of mathematical authority — a sharp, accessible critique that compares fluxions to the mysteries of religious belief and asks who really controls mathematical truth.
This work presents a clear-eyed examination of the object, principles, and inferences used by 17th‑ and 18th‑century mathematicians. It invites readers to follow a skeptical inquiry into how ideas are formed, justified, and defended, while keeping the discussion grounded in concrete geometric and algebraic examples. The author adopts a candid, almost courtroom‑style voice to reveal the dangers of relying on assumed notations or unexamined premises.
What you’ll experience
- A historical look at fluxions, moments, and the move from geometry to calculus
- A measured critique of how mathematical arguments are structured and debated
- Plain, practical explanations for why some proofs rely on questionable assumptions
- A challenging conversation about what counts as evidence in mathematics
Ideal for readers of philosophy of mathematics, early science history, and anyone curious about how mathematical ideas are built—and questioned.