Invitation
100 Years of Mathematics at the Goethe University
Friday, January 24, 2014, 4 pm
Goethe University Frankfurt, Campus Westend, Festsaal
In 2014, the Goethe University celebrates its 100th birthday. Its foundation in 1914 marked the beginnning of university mathematics in Frankfurt within the Department of Natural Sciences, which was founded by the mathematician Arthur Moritz Schönflies.
The Institute of Mathematics invites a broad mathematically interested audience to a ceremonial act with the aim to reflect on the history of mathematics in Frankfurt and on current perspectives of the field.
We are delighted to announce 2010 Fields Medallist Cédric Villani (Université de Lyon and Institut Henri Poincaré, Paris) as keynote speaker. In his talk, he will unveil recent mathematical discoveries and their impact on physics and economics. Moreover, the renowned historian Moritz Epple (Goethe University Frankfurt) will reflect on the beginnings of university mathematics in Frankfurt.
The talks will be framed by an opening address of the president of the Goethe University and musical interludes performed by Alexey Pudinov.
Directions to Campus Westend, Festsaal
Participation is free for registered attendees. To register, please write a short message before January 16, 2014 with your name to Mrs Habash. Email: habash(at)math.uni-frankfurt.de
Of Gases, Triangles, Prices and Men
Keynote Lecture by Cédric Villani
"This talk is the story of an encounter of three distinct fields: non-Euclidean geometry, gas dynamics and economics. Some of the most fundamental mathematical tools behind these theories appear to have a close connection, which was revealed around the turn of the 21st century, and has developed strikingly since."
Cédric Villani is a French mathematician working primarily in analysis and mathematical physics. He was awarded the highest scientific honor in mathematics, the Fields Medal, in 2010. Prior to that, he had been the recipient of the Jacques Herbrand Prize (French Academy of Sciences, 2007), the European Mathematical Society Prize (2008), the Fermat Prize (2009), and the Henri Poincaré Prize (2009). Villani described the development of his latest mathematical work in his autobiographical best-selling book "Théorème vivant" (2012). He is currently Directeur de l'Institut Henri Poincare in Paris, France.
Arthur Schoenflies and the Beginnings of Frankfurt's Mathematical Institute
Historical talk by Moritz Epple
Moritz Epple is the head of the research group on the history of science at the department of Philosophy and History of the Goethe University Frankfurt. He earned his doctoral degree in 1991 at the University of Tübingen in mathematical physics. His current research is focused on the history of mathematics and its relationship to natural sciences. Main areas of his research are the history and foundations of calculus, of mathematization processes in modern societies and of mathematical methods in engineering.
The ceremonial act is supported by the "Förderverein Mathematik".
