Title

Euclid's Elements: Legacy, Interpretation, and Educational Implications

Abstract: 

This lecture explores Euclid's Elements, one of the most influential works in the history of mathematics. We will trace the journey of this foundational text from its origins in ancient Greece to its transmission through medieval Arab scholars and its eventual impact on Western Europe. In doing so, we will address two distinct approaches for interpreting historical mathematical texts: the history of mathematics and the heritage of mathematics. Using the example of the 18th-century Swedish mathematician Anders Gabriel Duhre, we will examine how he engaged with Euclid's Elements in his teaching and his efforts to integrate algebraic methods into geometric reasoning. Finally, we will discuss the role of the history of mathematics in contemporary education, considering the arguments for incorporating historical perspectives and exploring different approaches to doing so.