Mathematicians and Mathematics at Prague University during the  Second Half of the 18th Century

Georg Schuppener

doi:10.46938/tv.2021.493

Abstract

The paper describes the situation of teaching mathematics and its position at Prague University in the second half of the 18th century. In order to be able to adequately present the specific changes during this period, I first explain the development of the role of mathematics as a modern science among the Prague Jesuits in the two centuries before. It is pointed out that the Jesuits initially assigned only a very minor importance to mathematics. From the middle of the 17th century, however, there was significant development. In the middle of the 18th century, under the influence of the Enlightenment, state reforms set in, which also significantly influenced the structure and content of education at Prague University. I describe the consequences of these reforms – that also led to the dissolution of the Jesuit Order – for mathematics. Finally, I deal with the life and work of mathematicians and astronomers at Prague University in the second half of the 18th century.

Highlights

The history of mathematics in Prague and in the Czech lands as a whole has gained more attention in recent decades
The paper describes the situation of teaching mathematics and its position at Prague University in the second half of the 18th century
I describe the consequences of these reforms – that led to the dissolution of the Jesuit Order – for mathematics

Summary

Introduction

The history of mathematics in Prague and in the Czech lands as a whole has gained more attention in recent decades This is especially true for the role of the Jesuits in this context. The aim of this article is not to present any fundamentally new research, but rather to describe the state of the art in a clear and comprehensible form, in order to provide a basis for further research. This is all the more true since most of the research literature is available only in Czech and German and is difficult to access for international, English-speaking academia. It is pointed out that mathematics at the University of Prague reached a good to very good level in the second half of the 18th century

The Mathematics of the Prague Jesuits until the Middle of the 18th Century

Reforms in the Second Half of the 18th Century

Scholars and Foci of Mathematics in the Second Half of the 18th Century

Conclusion