Project Gutenberg #52091

An Essay on the Foundations of Geometry

Bertrand Russell

1897

Russell's first philosophical book: a history of non-Euclidean geometry and an inquiry into which geometric axioms are known a priori.

Project Gutenberg #52091 Public domain in the United States Cover source Local typographic cover created for The Missing Workbook from public-domain source metadata

Section 1 of 6

Preface

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# An Essay on the Foundations of Geometry

**Author:** Bertrand Russell
**Source:** Project Gutenberg #52091
**License:** Public domain in the United States
**Section:** 1. Preface
**Page:** 1 of 1

## Description
Russell's first philosophical book: a history of non-Euclidean geometry and an inquiry into which geometric axioms are known a priori.

## Reader Text
The present work is based on a dissertation submitted at the Fellowship Examination of Trinity College, Cambridge, in the year 1895. Section B of the third chapter is in the main a reprint, with some serious alterations, of an article in Mind (New Series, No. 17). The substance of the book has been given in the form of lectures at the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, and at Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania.
My chief obligation is to Professor Klein. Throughout the first chapter, I have found his "Lectures on non-Euclidean Geometry" an invaluable guide; I have accepted from him the division of Metageometry into three periods, and have found my historical work much lightened by his references to previous writers. In Logic, I have learnt most from Mr Bradley, and next to him, from Sigwart and Dr Bosanquet. On several important points, I have derived useful suggestions from Professor James's "Principles of Psychology."
My thanks are due to Mr G. F. Stout and Mr A. N. Whitehead for kindly reading my proofs, and helping me by many useful criticisms. To Mr Whitehead I owe, also, the inestimable assistance of constant criticism and suggestion throughout the course of construction, especially as regards the philosophical importance of projective Geometry.
Haslemere.
May, 1897.
TO
JOHN McTAGGART ELLIS McTAGGART
TO WHOSE DISCOURSE AND FRIENDSHIP IS OWING
THE EXISTENCE OF THIS BOOK.

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The present work is based on a dissertation submitted at the Fellowship Examination of Trinity College, Cambridge, in the year 1895. Section B of the third chapter is in the main a reprint, with some serious alterations, of an article in Mind (New Series, No. 17). The substance of the book has been given in the form of lectures at the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, and at Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania. My chief obligation is to Professor Klein. Throughout the first chapter, I have found his "Lectures on non-Euclidean Geometry" an invaluable guide; I have accepted from him the division of Metageometry into three periods, and have found my historical work much lightened by his references to previous writers. In Logic, I have learnt most from Mr Bradley, and next to him, from Sigwart and Dr Bosanquet. On several important points, I have derived useful suggestions from Professor James's "Principles of Psychology." My thanks are due to Mr G. F. Stout and Mr A. N. Whitehead for kindly reading my proofs, and helping me by many useful criticisms. To Mr Whitehead I owe, also, the inestimable assistance of constant criticism and suggestion throughout the course of construction, especially as regards the philosophical importance of projective Geometry. Haslemere. May, 1897. TO JOHN McTAGGART ELLIS McTAGGART TO WHOSE DISCOURSE AND FRIENDSHIP IS OWING THE EXISTENCE OF THIS BOOK.

An Essay on the Foundations of Geometry

Preface

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