Mathematics And The Real World: Proceedings Of An International Workshop Roskilde University Centre (denmark), 1978 (interdisciplinary Systems Research) (german Edition)

Within the mathematical community, the reaction to these problems is rather diversified: Some mathematical cireles recognize in the demands from outside only "the anti-intellectualism of an inane world", against which "the outer order and beauty of mathematics" has to be defended like a dream of flowers. Others are willing to adapt immediately to all demands, from whatever quarter they may come, in order to get the desired funds or positions, maybe even by promising the impossible. It was the aim of the Roskilde Workshop to bring together a limited number of people having attitudes somewhere between these two extremes, people -who do not shut their eyes to the fact that the development of mathematics is now worldwide and that mathematics has become applicable on a large scale, thus constituting an integral part of the cultural and scientific infrastructure of any country and becoming one important part of the technological basis for agriculture, industry etc., -who are conscious of and concerned about the problems with mathematics in itself and with its relations to the world at large -problems generated by this greater involvement of mathematics, -but who share also a relatively optimistic attitude towards the possibility of finding a productive answer to many of the questions raised. Front Matter....Pages N2-8 Structure of the Workshop....Pages 9-14 Factors Inside and Outside Mathematics which are Important in the Generation and Development of New Mathematic Disciplines....Pages 15-33 Estimated Future Trends in the Development of Mathematics and of its Relations with the Non-Mathematical World....Pages 34-52 Difficulties and Possibilities in Disseminating and Popularizing Mathematical Ideas, Methods and Techniques to Colleagues within Other Mathematical Fields and to the World at Large....Pages 53-70 Discussion and Initiation of Concrete Initiatives in Continuation of the Work Done in Session 1–3....Pages 71-77 Working Papers....Pages 78-115 Back Matter....Pages 116-137