Father of Geometry Mathematics
DAVID JOHNSON
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Sunday, August 3rd 2014 at 1:43PM
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1342 views
It is important when studying civilizations, and their contributions on one another to be honest. We should identify who laid a foundation of certain sciences, and who used wisdom to enhance or perfect those sciences as well. The use of “Pi” in math is a very important concept. In the book “The Crest of the Peacock “ pg. 82 George Joseph states “The most important major source is the Ahmes (or Ahmose)Papyrus.” Historically you have the common misnomer of Greek Mathematician Thales as the “Father of Geometry Mathematics” who is dated at 6th century BC. The Ahmose Papyrus is copied at 1650 BC and is most likely attributed to an even older Egyptian document of the genius Imhotep.
When looking at history as a student of math and history I attempt to put into context why Ahmes or Imhotep, his predecessor is not recognized properly. What history shows is the great Greek philosophers for the most part did not have an issue of giving credit to the where a vast amount of their body of knowledge came from. Many were students in Egyptian established schools. It is well documented within the Greek text that civilizations like Babylon and Egypt was very influential in the Greek sciences including math.
Although we can say the Greek spoke of their influences; we also see is it is the students, and western educational institutions that perpetuate the myth of Greek origins of many of these histories. The Greek culture should be given proper praise and credit in taking certain sciences and applying brilliant additions to various philosophies that have advanced civilizations. For those of western civilization who teach on the word “ethics” it is disingenuous and hypocritical to even use the word while simultaneously altering history to suit the comfort level of western culture. All of history is not Afrocentric nor Eurocentric. Math is a revealing advancement of knowledge that benefits all peoples.
Egypt used much of their math in a method “practical” application whereas Greek math had enough wisdom to use math in a more “exact” method. For instance Egyptian Rule for the area of a circle Ahmes stated the area of circular field diameter 9 = area of square with side 8. Meaning = 3.1/6 It can be taken that since that is not an exact measurement it can be used for a practical but not exact method that the Greeks later enhanced and perfected in that particular instance. The Egyptian use is very close but not exact in its true application. By using the Pythagorean refined understanding of Pi=3.14 159… you can make the adjustments in the exact manner. The earlier Egyptian measurement was a close estimate and used as such in the papyrus for a practical use. A excellent example in The Crest of the Peacock pg.84-85 with the study of the first Egyptian king on record Narmer. Joseph accurately points out that when calculating the numbers of Narmers tributes it would “require a system of numerals that allowed counting to continue almost indefinitely by the introduction of a new system wherever necessary.” This is very important because the limits placed upon Egyptian use of mathematics does not take into account that although there was a practical application involved the system itself did indeed have the capability to make adjustments by the creation of symbols interfaced quite freely when needed for math purposes historically.
One could say the core beliefs and values of western civilization are to show dominance, and mastery of key moments of world history. In doing this there is a minimization of the non-European cultures influence upon which it is built. Looking at the world history through an ethnocentric lens is not been beneficial when looking for the truth as historians. The beliefs and values of having a Greek only origin of western civilization seem to cater to the comfort level of academics to appease the masses of those within the culture.
Amen Ra Squad