The Crest of the Peacock by George Joseph

 

Three things that surprised me were:

  1. European trajectory 

The ideology of European superiority has surprised me. The article mentions "the contributions of the colonized peoples were ignored or devalues as part of the rationale for subjugation and dominance" (p.4) . In other words, Europeans were taking credits for the discoveries done by other nations, and claimed those were their findings. I think we would call this plagiarism in our modern day society. Other nations such as China, India, and the Hellenistic world have contributed to the development of mathematics, and I agree with the main message that "it is dangerous to characterize mathematical development solely in terms on European developments" (p.12).

2. Figure 1.4 The spread of mathematical ideas down the ages

I am amazed by the intelligence of our ancestors. Regardless of time and place, ancient people in Egypt, Greece, Mesopotamia, India, Arab world, China, and Mayan empire were all under construction for mathematical concepts. Each nation had their own way of approaching and understanding mathematics, and they would transmit their ideas to each other, all working towards the development in mathematics. 

3. Cross-cultural contact between China and India

Besides mathematics, works on astronomy and medicine were also exchanged between these two nations as early as 500 BC (which over 2500 years ago). Once again, I am amazed by the intelligence of our ancestors!