Sur le passage mathématique de l'Épinomis (990 c -- 992 a) : signification et postérité

David Rabouin (1) , Bernard Vitrac (2)

1 SPHERE (UMR_7219) - Sciences, Philosophie, Histoire
2 ANHIMA - Anthropologie et Histoire des Mondes Antiques

We analyse the famous (and obscure) passage on mathematical sciences in the pseudo-platonic Epinomis. We prove that this text is a kind of "florilege" of mathematical allusions borowed from authentic dialogues, in particular from Theaetetus and Timaeus by a not very skillful author. The passage has not a profound hidden mathematical signification pace some previous studies. We also try to explain the great fortune of this text in medio- and neo-Platonic authors (Theo (of Smyrna), Nicomachus, Iamblichus, Proclus) because it furnishes an argument in the debate about unity of mathematics.

Mots clés: Ancient mathematics; Plato; Theatetus; Timaeus; Republic VIII; irrationals; Theo of Smyrna; Nichomachus; Iamblichus

Mots clés: Mathématiques; Platon; Epinomis; Théétète; Timée; République VIII; irrationnelles; quadrivium; Théon de Smyrne; Nicomaque; Jamblique; Proclus

Domaines: Histoire, Philosophie et Sociologie des sciences

David Rabouin, Bernard Vitrac. Sur le passage mathématique de l'Épinomis (990 c -- 992 a) : signification et postérité. Philosophie antique - problèmes, renaissances, usages , 2010, 10, pp.5-39. ⟨10.4000/philosant.2041⟩. ⟨hal-00655839⟩