Freedom in Mathematics

The book confronts the points of view of two§mathematicians: Pierre Cartier who is one of the pillars of the famous Bourbaki§group and Cédric Villani, one of the most brilliant of his generation, who§received the Fields Medal in 2010. Mathematician and historian of science Jean§Dhombres and philosopher of science Gerhard Heinzmann, both specialists in§mathematics, engage in a fruitful dialogue with the two mathematicians, likely to§lead the reader to reflect on mathematical activity and its social consequences§in mankind's history as well as in the modern world. Cédric Villani's popular§success proves once again that common awareness has assimilated, even if in a§very confused way, the major role of mathematics in the construction and efficiency of natural sciences§that are at the origin of our technologies. Notwithstanding this, the idea that§mathematics cannot be shared remains entrenched, and even branded as a lack of§culture laid claim to by some in the media, cultural and political§establishment.§§These authors explore three major directions§in their dialogue. The very complex relationship between mathematics and reality,§a subject of many debates and opposing viewpoints. The freedom that the§construction of mathematics has given man by enabling him to develop natural§sciences, as well as that needed by mathematicians to develop their research.§The responsibility with which the scientific community and governments should§address the issue of the role of mathematics in research or education policies.§