贝克莱及其对早期微积分的批评

Berkeley and his critique to the early calculus

就 1 8世纪 3 0年代英国哲学家贝克莱《分析学家》一书批评牛顿微积分的薄弱基础 ,而且被认为是宗教对科学的无知和攻击一事 ,通过考察贝克莱的生平和《分析学家》的具体内容 ,认为贝克莱对牛顿的流数学说的批评 ,就其数学内容而言是正确的 ,客观上推动了微积分基础的完善。由此认为 ,以正确的态度对待批评 ,有助于数学的正常发展。

The book Analysts, written by the British philosopher Berkeley in 1730′s and his critique of the weak foundation of Newtonian calculus was the significant event in the history of mathematics and generally considered as ignorance and assault of religion to science. By reviewing Berkeley′s lifetime and the content of the Analyst, it is concluded that his critique was correct and it impelled the improvement of the calculus′ foundation objectively. It is helpful for normal development of mathematics to accept various forms of critique positively.