Ronny Desmet

The Minkowskian Background of Whitehead’s Theory of Gravitation

Whitehead’s 1922 theory of gravity, an alternative to Einstein’s 1916 theory of general relativity, cannot be understood well apart from the context of the British reception of both Einstein’s special and his general relativity, and more specifically, apart from the Minkowskian nature of that reception. The aim of this essay is to emphasize the latter: the (indirect) influence of Minkowski on Whitehead was a major one.

THE SERPENT IN RUSSELL'S PARADISE

This paper focuses on mathematical practices instead of mathematical products. It is indeed part of the growing awareness that historical, social and psychophysical processes precede the cut and dried results of mathematics, even those which have been presented as the obvious starting points of all pure mathematics. As all fashionable currents, the shift from foundations to practices in the philosophy of mathematics has its heroes. Lakatos immediately comes to mind, as does Wittgenstein. So, if I were to say that, given their mutual influence, Wittgenstein’s view on mathematics can be identified with Russell’s, you would correctly blow the whistle on me. However, if I were to say that, given their collaboration and Principia mathematica co-authorship, Whitehead’s view on mathematics can be identified with Russell’s, this claim would pass without a shred of protest. But in the latter case, I would firmly disagree. In fact, this paper is a first expression of my conviction that Whitehead, like Wittgenstein, should be differentiated from Russell, and given his own niche in the gallery of major philosophers of mathematics. Furthermore, Whitehead’s writings, based on his own mathematical experience, offer a perspective on mathematical practices which equals, or even surpasses, the perspective offered by Wittgenstein.