Copyrighted Material Chapter One The History of Mathematics: Alternative Perspectives A Justiication for This Book An interest in history marks us for life. How we see ourselves and others is shaped by the history we absorb, not only in the classroom but also from the Internet, ilms, newspapers, television programs, novels, and even strip cartoons. From the time we irst become aware of the past, it can ire our imagination and excite our curiosity: we ask questions and then seek an- swers from history. As our knowledge develops, diferences in historical perspectives emerge. And, to the extent that diferent views of the past afect our perception of ourselves and of the outside world, history becomes an important point of reference in understanding the clash of cultures and of ideas. Not surprisingly, rulers throughout history have recognized that to control the past is to master the present and thereby consolidate their power. During the last four hundred years, Europe and its cultural dependen- cies 1 have played a dominant role in world afairs. his is all too oten relected in the character of some of the historical writing produced by Eu- ropeans in the past. Where other people appear, they do so in a transitory fashion whenever Europe has chanced in their direction. hus the history of the Africans or the indigenous peoples of the Americas oten appears to begin only ater their encounter with Europe. An important aspect of this Eurocentric approach to history is the man- ner in which the history and potentialities of non-European societies were represented, particularly with respect to their creation and development of science and technology. he progress of Europe during the last four hun- dred years is oten inextricably—or even causally—linked with the rapid growth of science and technology during the period. In the minds of some, scientiic progress becomes a uniquely European phenomenon, which can be emulated by other nations only if they follow a speciically European path of scientiic and social development.