Comparing Oresme's Curvitas with Riemann's Curvature

Explore the historical development of the concept of curvature in mathematics through this seminar talk presented by Dr. Bogdan Suceavă at Chapman University. Delve into the groundbreaking work of 14th-century scholar Nicole Oresme, who first hinted at the definition of curvature, and trace its evolution to Bernhard Riemann's modern formulation. Examine Oresme's 'Tractatus de configurationibus qualitatum et motuum,' written between 1351 and 1355, and discover how his early definition of curvature anticipated key aspects of Riemannian geometry. Investigate the historical context of Oresme's work during the period of Aristotle's Recovery in Western Europe, and uncover the surprising application of curvature to psychological representations in the 14th century. Gain insights into the scholarly and political motivations behind Oresme's innovative approach to mathematics and its lasting impact on the field.