JULIAN LOWELL COOLIDGE Ph.D.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MATHEMATICS
IN HARVARD UNIVERSITY
FIRST PRESS: OXFORD AT THE CLARENDON PRESS, 1909
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Published by:
GLOBAL ACADEMY, 2014
Language: English
E-mail: globalyayinlari@gmail.com
Website: https://www.globalacademy.com.tr
PERFACE
The heroic age of non-euclidean geometry is passed. It is long since the days
when Lobatchewsky timidly referred to his system as an ‘imaginary geometry’,
and the new subject appeared as a dangerous lapse from the orthodox doctrine
of Euclid. The attempt to prove the parallel axiom by means of the other usual
assumptions is now seldom undertaken, and those who do undertake it, are
considered in the class with circle-squarers and searchers for perpetual motion–
sad by-products of the creative activity of modern science.
In this, as in all other changes, there is subject both for rejoicing and regret.
It is a satisfaction to a writer on non-euclidean geometry that he may proceed
at once to his subject, without feeling any need to justify himself, or, at least,
any more need than any other who adds to our supply of books. On the other
hand, he will miss the stimulus that comes to one who feels that he is bringing
out something entirely new and strange. The subject of non-euclidean geometry
is, to the mathematician, quite as well established as any other branch of
mathematical science; and, in fact, it may lay claim to a decidedly more solid
basis than some branches, such as the theory of assemblages, or the analysis
situs.
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