Synopsis of Universal Geometry

ON THE SYNOPSIS

which we will perhaps soon make public. Why should I remain silent about that immense work by the distinguished astronomer Ismaël Boulliau Ismaël Boulliau (1605–1694) was a French astronomer and a proponent of the idea that gravity follows an inverse-square law., which is even now occupying the printing press? It will easily surpass whatever astronomical works have been published until now. Because it assumes nothing from other sources, whoever possesses that volume will have everything necessary for that field. I also pass over Analysis, or Algebra, which you may seek from the works of Viète François Viète (1540–1603), the French mathematician who introduced modern algebraic notation. and the recent Geometry of an illustrious man Referring to René Descartes and his La Géométrie (1637)., with the application of Diophantus An ancient Greek mathematician known for his work on algebraic equations.. Unless, instead, you prefer to wait for algebra to be prepared by the industry of the geometer Monsieur Chauveau likely Pierre Chauveau, a mathematician in Mersenne's circle., who has gifted it with greater clarity and ease.

I do not mention everything pertaining to sieges and defenses: that is, military architecture. Many authors, Italians and Germans as well as Frenchmen, such as the Knight de Ville Antoine de Ville (1596–1656), a prominent French military engineer. and others, seem to have brought this field nearly to its perfection. This part of mathematics belongs to those of great genius. Among them, I most desire that the highly praised Monsieur de Mets Jean de Mes, a military engineer and mathematician. publish his beautiful and refined work on munitions and fortification. After his work, nothing else will be necessary to add. Even foreigners should be grateful to him for his incredible diligence in this matter.

Furthermore, I have not included Arithmetic, the foundations of which are found in Books 5, 7, 8, and 9 of Euclid’s Elements The classic Greek textbook on mathematics. Books 7 through 9 focus specifically on number theory., just as Algebra is found in Book 10. There are already so many arithmetical works that it would be pointless to multiply them. However, if that incomparable man Monsieur Frénicle Bernard Frénicle de Bessy (c. 1604–1675), a French mathematician known for his work in number theory and magic squares. wished to increase this field with his new discoveries, he could seize the minds of all people with admiration.

Nor is there any lack of excellent men particularly skilled in both pure and mixed geometry who greatly advance these sciences. Among these, in addition to those I have praised in this work, it is necessary to urge and assist the Englishman John Pell John Pell (1611–1685), an English mathematician and diplomat. to publish the things he has prepared.

XII. I do not only admire the geometers who will perhaps soon surpass Archimedes The ancient Greek mathematician who set the standard for geometry. himself, but also others who find new things or adorn old ones with many additions. Among these, the Reverend Father Petau Denis Pétau (1583–1652), a Jesuit scholar and one of the founders of modern chronology. stands out. In his three volumes of Positive Theology, he has sufficiently shown that after the remaining four or five volumes (which we expect daily) are finished, no other theology will be needed thereafter. Whether you seek the solidity of the subject matter or its elegance and explanation, those who hate theological matters can no longer object to or reproach them for being "barbaric" A reference to the dense, unpolished style of earlier medieval Scholastic Latin which Renaissance scholars often mocked..

But we must also admire those remarkable men, truly taught by God and honoring God, such as Marandé Léonard de Marandé, a theologian and contemporary of Mersenne., for his Theological Paraphrase on the Summa of the Holy Doctor St. Thomas Aquinas, known as the "Doctor Angelicus." His Summa Theologiae is a cornerstone of Catholic theology., written with wonderful erudition.