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Thomas BradwardinePhilosopher and mathematician
Date of Birth: 01.01.1290
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Thomas Bradwardine: Archbishop, Philosopher, and Mathematician
- Archbishop of Canterbury
- "De Geometria Speculativa"
- "De Proportionibus Velocitatum in Motibus"
- "Tractatus de Continuo"
- Other Works
- - "On Theoretical Arithmetic" (De arithmetica speculativa)
Thomas Bradwardine: Archbishop, Philosopher, and Mathematician
Early Life and StudiesThomas Bradwardine (c. 1290-1349) was a renowned philosopher, mathematician, and mechanic. He became a fellow of Merton College, Oxford, in 1323, where he emerged as a prominent member of the Oxford Calculators, a group of scholars dedicated to mathematical inquiry.
Archbishop of Canterbury
In 1349, Bradwardine was elected Archbishop of Canterbury. However, his tenure was tragically short-lived. Later that same year, he succumbed to the Black Plague.
"De Geometria Speculativa"
Bradwardine's treatise "On Theoretical Geometry" (De geometria speculativa) is a significant work in the field. It showcases his interest in star polygons and their properties. He established a general rule for determining the sum of interior angles in such polygons.
"De Proportionibus Velocitatum in Motibus"
Bradwardine's 1328 treatise, "On Proportions of Velocities in Motions," is notable for presenting a hypothetical law linking the speed of a moving body, the motive force, and the resistance encountered. This law describes an exponential relationship between the motive force and the speed.
"Tractatus de Continuo"
In his "Treatise on the Continuum," Bradwardine delves into the concept of continuity and discreteness, exploring the boundary between physics, mathematics, and philosophy. He upholds Aristotle's view that the continuum is infinitely divisible and argues against the atomicist conception.
Other Works
Beyond these major treatises, Bradwardine authored additional works, including:
- "On Theoretical Arithmetic" (De arithmetica speculativa)
- "On the Quadrature of the Circle" (De quadratura circuli)- "Art of Memory" (Ars memorative)
