Jacob Klein (philosopher)

Jacob Klein ( born March 3 1899 in Liepāja, Russia, now Latvia, † July 16, 1978 in Annapolis, Maryland, United States ) was a German - American philosopher and mathematician of Jewish descent.

Life and work

Of particular importance is his close friendship with the philosopher Leo Strauss. Klein studied in Berlin and Marburg, where among others, Martin Heidegger. In 1922 he received his doctorate. From 1937 he taught at St. John 's College in Annapolis, Maryland. Here he had from 1949 held the position of dean in the years up to 1958. His teaching at this institution lasted until his death.

Jacob Klein's most important work is the study: The Greek logistics and the emergence of algebra (Greek Mathematical Thought and the Origin of Algebra ), in which he examines the development of the ancient mathematics to modern, with special attention to the particular understanding of the number. The central thesis is that the modern understanding of mathematics to a symbolic interpretation of the Greek concept of number ( arithmos ) supports.

He also published commentaries and studies on various Platonic dialogues and other topics of ancient philosophy.

Writings

  • The Greek logistics and the development of algebra. In: Sources and Studies in the History of mathematics, astronomy and physics. Department B: studies. Volume 3, First Issue, Berlin 1934, pp. 18-105 and Second book, Berlin 1936, pp. 122-235. Republished in English under the title: Greek Mathematical Thought and the Origin of Algebra. Cambridge, Mass.. 1968, ISBN 0-486-27289-3.
  • A Commentary on Plato's Meno. Chapel Hill 1965, ISBN 0-226-43959-3.
  • Plato's Trilogy. Theaetetus, Sophist, the Statesman and the. Chicago 1977, ISBN 0-226-43951-8.
  • Lectures and Essays. Annapolis, Maryland, 1985, ISBN 0-9603690-2-3.
  • Correspondence between Jacob Klein and Leo Strauss Leo Strauss: Collected Writings. Volume 3: Hobbes ' political science and related writings - letters. Edited by Heinrich Meier. Stuttgart, Weimar 2001, pp. 455-605, ISBN 3-476-01213-1.
Annapolis (Maryland) Dean (education) Classical antiquity Integrated Authority File
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