Proposal: History of Science and Mathematics
Can we just go ahead and make this site a site for the history of academics, it is much more general and would attract more people to this site.
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1Maybe you meant "history of academic disciplines"?– DBKCommented Sep 7, 2014 at 1:47
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1I'm not sure I agree that it would attract more people. More general, yes, but the historians of science and mathematics will have no reason to think this is a useful place to ask and answer questions. (I'm not sure who will, but you may have a better idea than I do about that.)– MarsCommented Sep 23, 2014 at 21:03
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2 Answers
No, we can't do that, as this is not a proposal for a site about the history of academics (not even remotely close).
That being said, if you are seriously interested in a site about the history of academics, you can propose one. I might even support it if I can see value in your vision. While I am not currently seeing it, I have an open mind and would look at your appeal for such a site with an open mind.
I personally am more interested in the history of science and mathematics, with a personal bend for the mathematics. Many of the supporters of this site proposal could be classed as academic types, and so maybe you have something there on a separate site proposal. I personally have neither questions nor answers about the history of academia in general.
"History of Mathematics", and "History of Science" are actual established terminal degree concentrations. You may be disadvantaged in your proposal if there are not many people with degrees in the "history of academics". I know of none, but have not yet researched whether that is an established concentration.
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1I agree, but would go further. They're not just terminal degree concentrations, but fields of study. These are subfields of historical research, with close relationships and overlap with philosophy of science, social sciences of science, and history of philosophy.– MarsCommented Sep 23, 2014 at 21:01
No, the pool of experts would be too diluted. Most people who would be able to answer questions about the history of academics would not be able to answer questions about the history of mathematics or science (since that requires knowledge of math and science as well as history).
