Morris (not Meredith!) Kline begins his book Mathematics for the Nonmathematician this way:
Kline goes on to show that others around the same time deplored the study of mathematics.
Now, I respect Morris Kline greatly. He was a fantastic teacher, and a very good writer. This quote, of course, shows that he was not exactly sympathetic to Christianity. So, I'm wondering about this quote, though. How can we rescue Augustine from Kline's attacks here? Where is this quote? What is the historical context? What do Augustine's words mean? Did Augustine really have the attitude towards mathematics that Kline portrays? If so, why?
Please consider any other relevant questions that I should be asking as asked.
Thanks!
One can wisely doubt whether the study of mathematics is worth while and can find good authority to support him. As far back as about the year 400 A.D., St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo in Africa and one of the great fathers of Christianity, had this to say:
The good Christian should beware of mathematicians and all those who make empty prophecies. The danger already exists that the mathematicians have made a covenant with the devil to darken the spirit and to confine man in the bonds of hell.
Perhaps St. Augustine, with prophetic insight into the conflicts which were to arise later between the mathematically minded scientists of recent centuries and religious leaders, was seeking to discourage the further development of the subject. At any rate there is no question as to his attitude.
Kline goes on to show that others around the same time deplored the study of mathematics.
Now, I respect Morris Kline greatly. He was a fantastic teacher, and a very good writer. This quote, of course, shows that he was not exactly sympathetic to Christianity. So, I'm wondering about this quote, though. How can we rescue Augustine from Kline's attacks here? Where is this quote? What is the historical context? What do Augustine's words mean? Did Augustine really have the attitude towards mathematics that Kline portrays? If so, why?
Please consider any other relevant questions that I should be asking as asked.
Thanks!