Arithmetic Textbooks and 19th Century Values

Abstract

In this paper two nineteenth century Icelandic arithmetic textbooks are investigated, both written according to the late medieval tradition of libri di abbaco, practical textbooks. The authors were influenced by the German Protestant tradition that arithmetic education was to serve ethic education, as well as by the Enlightenment. Above all, they worked for the autonomy of Iceland from Denmark. Their textbooks served the purpose of teaching young people wise allocation and yield of their resources with the overall goal of individual as well as national prosperity and financial independence.

In this paper two nineteenth century Icelandic arithmetic textbooks are investigated, both written according to the late medieval tradition of libri di abbaco, practical textbooks. The authors were influenced by the German Protestant tradition that arithmetic education was to serve ethic education, as well as by the Enlightenment. Above all, they worked for the autonomy of Iceland from Denmark. Their textbooks served the purpose of teaching young people wise allocation and yield of their resources with the overall goal of individual as well as national prosperity and financial independence.