The Mysteries of "Bourbaki"

No—Bourbaki is not the name of a rare Indian dog—nor is it a "Chef's suggestion" at the Royal Oak. Bourbaki is the name given to a group of anonymous young modern French mathematicians. This I discovered five minutes before the close of Professor Campbell's talk to the Mathematical and Physical Society on Thursday, March 9.

The talk began with a description of the work produced by this group, which to me and even the "initiated" was most bewildering. As the description progressed, however, with many examples displayed on the blackboard, Professor Campbell's audience was soon perceptibly engrossed.

Professor Campbell told of the dissatisfaction with the existing principle of mathematics on the part of many young mathematicians in the 1930's, which led to a movement of revolutionary thinkers forming the Bourbaki group in order to write and publish mathematical works that would satisfy all the members. To ensure the circulation of new ideas, the members retired at the age of 50, abiding by an unwritten law, said Professor Campbell.

At supper afterwards, enthusiasm was rife. The interest and curiosity of everybody (or nearly everybody) had been stimulated, and they felt that here, in this new approach to mathematics was a basis for reformed civilization. The underlying idea of the whole experiment, as Professor Campbell said, was of progressing from the general to the particular where, up till now, the reverse has been the prevailing method, especially in teaching.

The students of the society speculate on the success of experiments being carried out in America, Europe and New Zealand where the Bourbaki methods of teaching the "Elements of Mathematics" are being put into practice.

Professor Campbell emphasized that the idea has not been proved but that its durability lies at the mercy of the rising thinkers of tomorrow.

"Myself when young did eagerly frequent

Doctor and Saint, and heard great argument

About it and about: but evermore Came out by the same door where in I went."