Context-Dependence of Mathematical Activity: A Case Study Concerning Edo Period Japan

dc.contributor.authorHosking, Rosalie Joan
dc.date.accessioned2012-05-06T22:00:18Z
dc.date.available2012-05-06T22:00:18Z
dc.date.issued2011en
dc.description.abstractAt the beginning of the Edo period (1600-1868 CE) the Japanese Tokugawa shōgunate enforced the famous closed country policy. During the period of isolation that would ensue until the Meiji Restoration, mathematics flourished like never before. The new tradition that arose was rich and diverse, with mathematics manifesting itself through different practitioners in many different ways. And, for the first time in Japanese history, mathematics began to diverge from Chinese practice, developing a uniquely Japanese identity. Because of this, we therefore can look to Edo mathematics with the expectation that it can especially clearly illustrate cultural variability in the practice of mathematics if it is the case that there exists such. The present thesis examines whether cultural-contextual factors from within the isolated Edo environment impacted individual practitioners of mathematics to result in the variation and uniqueness that appeared. Also, it highlights and addresses what the consequences might be for historians, philosophers, and mathematicians if such an influence did occur.en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10092/6578
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.26021/4091
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniversity of Canterbury. Humanitiesen
dc.relation.isreferencedbyNZCUen
dc.rightsCopyright Rosalie Joan Hoskingen
dc.rights.urihttps://canterbury.libguides.com/rights/thesesen
dc.subjectmathematicsen
dc.subjectjapanen
dc.subjectedoen
dc.subjectcontexten
dc.subjectdependenceen
dc.titleContext-Dependence of Mathematical Activity: A Case Study Concerning Edo Period Japanen
dc.typeTheses / Dissertations
thesis.degree.disciplineHistory and Philosophy of Science
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Canterburyen
thesis.degree.levelMastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Artsen
uc.bibnumber1764598
uc.collegeFaculty of Artsen
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Thesis_final.pdf
Size:
1.61 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format