Arithmetica - Það er reikningslist. Rætur í menningu mótmælenda

Abstract

Arithmetic textbooks, which appeared in Iceland in the eighteenth century in print and in manuscripts, adhered to the pattern of European practical textbooks, originating among Italian merchants in the late Middle Ages. Their content was numeration, the four arithmetic operations and relevant methods, measuring units and currency, extraction of roots, sequences, ratio and proportions. The Icelandic manuscript Arithmetica — það er reikningslist [Arithmetica — That is arithmetic art] from 1721 deviates from this pattern in that it does not contain measurements and currency. It treats thoroughly the number concepts and common notions, which are usually only found in theoretical textbooks on arithmetic. The manuscript does not refer to the Icelandic context in any respect. No particular model for it has been found. There are, however, similarities with textbooks written in German by the authors Suevus and Meichsner, both titled Arithmetica Historica, published in protestant towns and written with respect to the Holy Script and good history books. Furthermore, the manuscript bears some resemblance to textbooks by Euler, the French philosopher and Huguenot Ramus, and the Dutch mathematician and Calvinist Stevin. The sixteenth century Protestant movements seem to have been a fertile ground for new thinking in educational matters. The chapter concludes with a discussion on two possible authors of Arithmetica — það er reikningslist: Bishop Jón Árnason and naval officer Magnús Arason Thorkelin. The arithmetic problems relate to European content and the world of educated people. The unknown author must have been well acquainted with European cultural currents and heritage, such as Euclid’s Elements.