More Pope-like than the Pope: modern mathematics movement in Czechoslovakia
Modern mathematics movement of the early 20th century found its way into the teaching of mathematics across the world in the early post-war period, with Georges Papy and André Lichnerowicz leading the way in Europe. In Czechoslovakia, this transformation of mathematics education is known as “set-theoretical approach”. Indeed set theory is at the core of Bourbakist transformation of the mathematical knowledge, as exemplified by their masterpiece Élements de Mathématique, which became mathematicians’ manifesto. In the educational setting, the adjectives “new” and “modern” were found more appropriate, but not so in Czechoslovakia.

Dirk de Bock’s recent book on the topic (Modern Mathematics: An International Movement?, Springer 2023) covers a lot of Modern Math, but Czechoslovakia is missing, and here we are. Czechoslovakia is at the heart of Europe, perhaps the heart of Europe. Hence we connect to other countries: Poland, Hungary, Soviet Union, but also Belgium, France, Sweden (marginally), the Netherlands, and Yugoslavia as a very special case.

This seminar reports on a joint project of Helena Durnová, Petra Bušková (Masaryk University), Danny J. Beckers (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), and Snezana Lawrence (Middlesex University).
Date: 29 May 2024, 17:00 (Wednesday, 6th week, Trinity 2024)
Venue: Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details: Lecture Room L4
Speaker: Helena Durnová (Masaryk University)
Organising department: Mathematical Institute
Part of: History of Mathematics Seminar
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Christopher Hollings