Serge Lang
Serge Lang
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Serge Lang was born as Serge Salomon Lang on August 27, 1927, in Vienna, Austria. He is commonly referred to by his given name, Serge.
Birth and Death Dates
Birth: August 27, 1927
Death: September 12, 2005 (aged 78)
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: Austrian-French-American
Profession: Mathematician, Professor, Author
Early Life and Background
Serge Lang was born to an Austrian Jewish family in Vienna. His early life was marked by the Nazi occupation of Austria during World War II. In 1939, at the age of 12, he fled with his mother to New York City. He showed a keen interest in mathematics from an early age and began attending Columbia University at 16.
Major Accomplishments
Lang's academic career was distinguished by numerous contributions to number theory, algebraic geometry, and analysis. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
Modular forms: Lang made significant contributions to the study of modular forms, which are functions that arise in connection with elliptic curves.
Diophantine equations: He worked extensively on Diophantine equations, which involve polynomial equations with integer coefficients.
Algebraic geometry: Lang's work in algebraic geometry focused on the intersection theory and the Riemann-Roch theorem.Notable Works or Actions
Lang was a prolific author and published numerous books and papers throughout his career. Some of his notable works include:
*Diophantine Geometry: This book is considered a classic in the field and provides an introduction to Diophantine geometry.
Algebra**: Lang's textbook on algebra has been widely used as a reference for students and professionals alike.Impact and Legacy
Serge Lang's contributions to mathematics have had a lasting impact on the field. He is remembered for his:
Rigorous approach: Lang was known for his rigorous mathematical style, which emphasized precision and clarity.
Influence on young mathematicians: Throughout his career, Lang mentored numerous young mathematicians who went on to make significant contributions in their own right.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Serge Lang is widely quoted or remembered for his:
Perspicacious insights: Lang's ability to identify and articulate the underlying mathematical structure of a problem has inspired generations of mathematicians.
* Unwavering commitment to rigor: His emphasis on rigorous mathematical thinking continues to influence the way mathematicians approach problems today.
Quotes by Serge Lang
To an extent that undermines classical standards of science, some purported scientific results concerning 'HIV' and 'AIDS' have been handled by press releases, by disinformation, by low-quality studies, and by some suppression of information, manipulating the media and people at large. When the official scientific press does not report correctly, or obstructs views dissenting from those of the scientific establishment, it loses credibility and leaves no alternative but to find information elsewhere.
Originally, in the early eighties, the drug hypothesis was among the first which occurred to scientists.
Axiomatization is what one does last, it's rubbish. It's the hygiene of mathematics, axiomatization.
What standards are upheld by the scientific community affect the community internally, and also affect its relations with society at large, including Congress.
The only goal of science is the honour of the human spirit, and a question in number theory is worth a question concerning the system of the world.
The problems of financing the universities and their intellectual freedom, threatened by political and bureaucratic interference, are problems which are invariant under the ism transformations: socialism, communism, capitalism, or any other ism or ology.
To address questions of scientific responsibility does not necessarily imply that one needs technical competence in a particular field (e.g. biology) to evaluate certain technical matters.
They cannot count on the press and they cannot count on Congressional committees to bring the problems of the scientific community to their own attention, or to police the scientific community.
There exist thousands of Americans who have AIDS-defining diseases but are HIV negative.
Questions have arisen about the policing of science. Who is responsible for the policing? My answer is: all of us.