Die Naturwissenschaften im Nationalsozialismus

Mehrtens, Herbert

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-67450-1_19

Cited by 2 publications

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“…Hirschfeld and Kettenacker (1981). A general discussion of the problems of interpretation of history of science in relation to National Socialism is, together with a survey of the literature, given by Mehrtens (1979Mehrtens ( , 1980. 'This description is programmatic.…”

Section: Endnotesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Social System of Mathematics and National Socialism: A Survey*

Mehrtens

1987

Sociological Inquiry

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This paper offers an historical survey of problems arising in German mathematics during the rise and rule of National Socialism. Underlying this effort is the goal of developing a theoretical understanding of the social history of scientific disciplines in modern societies. The first part of the paper gives a brief description of the social system of mathematics and the characteristics of National Socialism. Second, an analysis of the background and structure of the attempt to construct a “German” mathematics related to Nazi‐ideology is given. This appears as an anti‐modemist movement prompted by the rise of mathematical formalism. The basic relations between mathematical and political thought are analyzed and the reasons for the failure of the “German” movement discussed. The third section examines the integration of mathematics into Nazi‐German society, focusing on the twin processes of adaptation and resistance by professional societies. It is argued that social differentiation within the system of mathematics, as well as its modern cognitive and social universality, were preconditions of adaptation.

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Section: Endnotesmentioning

confidence: 99%