nfao5
25.04.08, 09:49
Dowod Eulera na istnienie Boga dany Diderotowi na dworze carskim:
Monsieur, (a + b^n)/n = x, donc Dieu existe: respondez!
[(a + b^n)/n = x, Tak wiec Bog istnieje: Odpowiedz!]
French encyclopaedist Diderot paid a visit to the Russian Court at
the invitation of the Empress. He conversed very freely, and gave
the younger members of the Court circle a good deal of lively
atheism. The Empress was much amused, but some of her councillors
suggested that it might be desirable to check these expositions of
doctrine. The Empress did not like to put a direct muzzle on her
guest's tongue, so the following plot was contrived. Diderot was
informed that a learned mathematician was in possession of an
algebraical demonstration of the existence of God, and would give it
him before all the Court, if he desired to bear it. Diderot gladly
consented: though the name of the mathematician is not given, it was
Euler. He advanced toward Diderot, and said gravely, and in a tone
of perfect conviction:
Monsieur, (a + b^n)/n = x, donc Dieu existe: respondez! [(a + b^n)/n
= x., Therefore God exists: reply!]
Diderot, to whom algebra was Hebrew, was embarrassed and
disconcerted; while peals of laughter arose on all sides. He asked
permission return to France at once, which was granted.
Zrodlo: Augustus de Morgan, “A Budget of Paradoxes” (1872) –
cytowane za Carl Sagan “Broca’s Brain” (1980 s. 160,
rozdzial “Norman Bloom, Messenger, of God”)
