Obraz matematyki i logiki w polskich encyklopediach okresu międzywojennego

The article shows the picture of mathematics and logic that can be found in the encyclopaedias published in the Polish interwar period. The most comprehensive three popular encyclopaedias at that time considered in the article are as follows: Ilustrowana encyklopedia by Trzaska, Evert and Michalski, Encyklopedia powszechna Ultima Thule, and Wielka ilustrowana encyklopedia powszechna published by the Gutenberg publishing house. We also explore one thematic encyclopaedia Świat i życie: zarys encyklopedyczny współczesnej wiedzy i kultury, as well as a quite specific publication - not an encyclopaedia in itself but one of encyclopaedic character - prepared by outstanding Polish mathematicians, i.e. Poradnik dla samouków (volumes 1 and 3 of the 2nd series were devoted to mathematics and logic). The view of mathematics and logic in encyclopaedias is important because of an intensive progress in mathematics and mathematical logic in the interwar Poland. Analysis of entries dedicated to these fields of knowledge shows that both mathematics and logic were presented in a reliable and modern way with consideration for the state of research at that time. Also new, developing mathematical disciplines were taken into account, as, for example, set theory, topology, or the rudiments of mathematics. With too much modesty sometimes, the input of Polish scientists in this development was stressed. Furthermore, the article analyses what topics, questions, and forms did not find their reflection in the encyclopaedias, as well as the reasons why it so happened.

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Opracowanie ze środków MNiSW w ramach umowy 812/P-DUN/2016 na działalność upowszechniającą naukę (zadania 2017).