27 Apr
1994
27 Apr
'94
4:54 a.m.
The Latin of Peter Freyd's quotation from Diocletian may be translated: To teach and exercise the art of geometry is in the public interest; the damnable art of mathematics, however, is forbidden to every man. The point, surely, is that in those days "mathematics" meant "astrology". See Augustine, in The City of God, if I recall correctly. In the twelfth century "Play of Daniel", as performed at Beauvais, when the writing on the wall appears, the king says "Vocate mathematicos" - "call the soothsayers (or astrologers). Regards, Max Kelly. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++