Grosseteste on Unequal Infinities

Abstract Chapter 2 is entirely devoted to Robert Grosseteste (ca. 1175–1253) and his original ideas about infinite numbers obtained through what we would consider divergent series of natural numbers and the application of those numbers to measure the number of points in different continua such as finite line segments, finite intervals of time, etc. The interpretation of Grosseteste’s passages on mathematical infinity is carried out by means of a detailed study of the coeval mathematical tradition and in constant dialogue with the previous hermeneutical efforts for coming to terms with Grosseteste’s novel theories.