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What is the meaning of modernity in mathematics?

In my readings, "modern mathematics" is often contrasted with classical approaches, but the term feels ambiguous. Is it about new fields like category theory, computational methods, or a shift in philosophical perspective? As a researcher, I want to ground this concept to better understand current trends and the evolution of mathematical thinking.

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By Suresh Answered 1 year ago

In my experience, "modernity" is less a specific topic and more a shift in perspective, crystallizing in the 19th-20th centuries. It’s the move from seeing mathematics as a study of natural magnitudes to the investigation of abstract, axiomatic structures think sets, groups, and spaces. The mindset prioritizes logical rigor, internal consistency, and generalization over calculation. This foundational shift is what birthed the fields and abstract thinking we now take for granted as the modern landscape.

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