A respeito da necessidade de revisão da história da matemática grega: 48 anos depois, por que continuamos a ensinar como antes?

Abstract

In the present paper, we analyze the debate, held between 1975 and 1979, concerning the thesis that asserted the existence of analgebra expressed in geometric form inancient mathematical treatiesand the appropriateness of translating, in books on the history of mathematics, Greek results in algebraic terms. After demonstrating the importance of this debate for the comprehension of later transformations in the historiography of Greek mathematics, the insufficiency of the literature in Portuguese language regarding this subject and the serious consequences that arise from it – among which we mention the translation and publication in the Brazilian scenario of texts on the history of mathematicsoriginally published before the occurrence of the debate here presented and the subsequent teaching of concepts that were proved wrong decades ago –,we outlineto the Portuguese-speakingreader the content of the discussions heldby means of an exhaustive analysis of the first five papers published on this matter. We endbyexplaining our own conclusions and showing possible lines of research not yet explored, which can deepen the knowledge on this subject.