Giordano Bruno's \textit{Praelectiones geometricae} (Q2791938)

This paper is a contribute to the understanding of the role played by the study of mathematics in the development of Bruno's work. The authors observe in fact that Bruno's writings contain many references to topics and problems from geometry, nevertheless Bruno is not recognized as an influential mathematician. Therefore, the question about the real weight of Bruno's mathematical relevance arises.NEWLINENEWLINEThe first part of the paper formulates some conjectures about the development of Bruno's mathematical education in Paris and London, through his documented intellectual relationships, for instance with John Dee.NEWLINENEWLINEIn the second part of the paper, one work by Bruno completely devoted to the treatment of geometry, the \textit{Praelectiones geometricae}, is analyzed. Such analysis begins with a logical classification of mathematical statements into axioms, theorems and problems. The whole material dealt with by Bruno comes essentially from Euclid's \textit{Elements}. The authors recall the list of the 12 axioms contained in this work and expose some of its theorems. In agreement with the original text, theorems are not demonstrated but rather justified by geometrical pictures.NEWLINENEWLINEThis paper may find the interest of historians of mathematics interested in completing the picture of the study of mathematics in the XVIth century by the prominent personalities of that age.NEWLINENEWLINEFor the entire collection see [Zbl 1296.01006].