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The Anarchist Abstractionist: Alexander Grothendieck, Mathematics, and the Art of Freedom

Terry Pratchett

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Alexander Grothendieck was one of the most influential and enigmatic mathematicians of the 20th century. He made fundamental contributions to algebraic geometry and number theory, and his work has had a profound impact on many other areas of mathematics. Grothendieck was also a passionate anarchist and a prolific writer. He saw mathematics as a tool for understanding the world and for creating a more just and equitable society.

The Anarchist Abstractionist: Who Was Alexander Grothendieck?

by L. J. Smith

4.5 out of 5

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Grothendieck was born in Berlin in 1928. His father was a Russian anarchist who had fled to Germany after the Bolshevik Revolution. His mother was a German pacifist. Grothendieck grew up in a household where intellectual and political discussion was commonplace. He was a gifted mathematician from a young age, and he quickly became one of the top students in his class.

In 1948, Grothendieck left Germany to study mathematics in Paris. He quickly became a leading figure in the Bourbaki group, a collective of mathematicians who were working to develop a unified foundation for mathematics. Grothendieck's work on algebraic geometry was particularly influential, and he soon became one of the most respected mathematicians in the world.

In the early 1960s, Grothendieck became increasingly involved in political activism. He was a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War and of the French government's suppression of student protests. In 1967, he resigned from the Bourbaki group and moved to the United States, where he continued to work on mathematics and to write about politics.

Grothendieck's mathematics and his anarchism were deeply intertwined. He saw mathematics as a tool for understanding the world and for creating a more just and equitable society. He believed that mathematics was not just about abstract concepts, but that it could be used to solve real-world problems and to make a positive impact on people's lives.

Grothendieck's work on algebraic geometry has had a profound impact on many other areas of mathematics, including number theory, topology, and representation theory. His work has also been used to solve problems in physics, engineering, and computer science. Grothendieck's anarchism has also been influential, and his writings on politics have been read by many people around the world.

Alexander Grothendieck was a brilliant mathematician and a passionate anarchist. He saw mathematics as a tool for understanding the world and for creating a more just and equitable society. His work continues to inspire mathematicians and activists around the world.

The Anarchist Abstractionist: Who Was Alexander Grothendieck?

by L. J. Smith

4.5 out of 5