A rigorous or direct proof in the mathematical sciences, and specifically in the Euclidean tradition of geometry, was understood as the derivation of a theorem from axioms and already proven theorems through an uninterrupted and complete chain of purely logical inferences without recourse to opinion (synthetic proof). The concept of rigor at first denoted the ideal of performing any mathematical proof in this Euclidean manner, which also functioned as a model in non-mathematical fields (More geometrico). From the 19th century, the ideal of rigor tended to be formula…
Mathematical rigor (897 words)
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Jahnke, Hans Niels, “Mathematical rigor”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 24 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_SIM_023790>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20190801
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