Recent Publications

Interpretatio A2 (2016) 1-18

The Meaning of «ἑνὶ ὀνόματι» in the Sectio canonis

by: 

Fabio Acerbi

A new interpretation is proposed of the crucial expression «ἑνὶ ὀνόματι» (‘in one name’) as applied to ratios of the musical concords in the preface of the Sectio canonis ascribed to Euclid. A link is also established with the name of one of the irrational lines introduced by Euclid in Elements 10. Past interpretations of the expression are discussed and shown to be inadequate.

Interpretatio A1 (2016) 1-63

Wilber R. Knorr on Thābit ibn Qurra: A Case-Study in the Historiography of Premodern Science

by: 

Sonja Brentjes

There was a widespread belief among historians of science of my generation that high competence with regard to content and languages alone can guarantee better, more reliable results than can good philology combined with high competence in history or the other human sciences. In my case-study of Wilbur R. Knorr’s analysis of several medieval Arabic and Latin texts on the balance or steelyard, I highlight a variety of factors that compromised time and again his understanding and interpretation of his chosen texts.

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