Eric Schechter (born August 1, 1950) is an American mathematician, retired from Vanderbilt University with the title of professor emeritus. His interests started primarily in analysis but moved into mathematical logic. Schechter is best known for his 1996 book Handbook of Analysis and its Foundations, which provides a novel approach to mathematical analysis and related topics at the graduate level.
Important works
Schechter has authored a number of articles in analysis, differential equations, mathematical logic, and set theory. He is best known for writing two textbooks covering advanced material but written at an introductory level:
(2005) Classical and Nonclassical Logics () (more information) (1996) Handbook of Analysis and its Foundations () (more information)
Handbook of Analysis and its Foundations was reviewed at length by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics review, which wrote: Every once in a while a book comes along that so effectively redefines an educational enterprise -- in this case, graduate mathematical training -- and so effectively reexamines the hegemony of ideas prevailing in a discipline -- in this case, mathematical analysis -- that it deserves our careful attention. This is such a book., S.I.A.M. Review, Volume 40, Number 2, pp. 421-426.
Schechter also maintains two webpages that are frequently cited:
Common Errors in Undergraduate Mathematics A Home Page for the Axiom of Choice
Politics
Schechter is involved in political activism of the democratic socialist variety. His mathematical homepage includes a few anti-war statements,Eric Schechter's Mathematical Home Page, Accessed Apr. 16, 2009. and his political home page includes a long essay about progressive ideology.Eric Schechter's Political Home Page, Accessed June 6, 2009. He has worked as an organizer for the Nashville Peace Coalition, protesting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."Students, others to protest war outside Petraeus presentation", The Vanderbilt Hustler, Mar. 1, 2010. At a meeting for the living wage movement on Vanderbilt's campus, he remarked that it is hard to bring up politics in a non-political environment, and expressed that people did not talk much about politics in the mathematics department at Vanderbilt.Allison Malone, "NEWS: LIVE enlists support of Greeks, student government and faculty to bolster campaign", Jan. 25, 2007. His father, Henry Schechter, was a deputy of the AFL-CIO."Obituaries: AFL-CIO Deputy Henry Schechter", Washington Post, July 22, 2005.
In 2010, Schechter ran for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District seat against incumbent congressman Jim Cooper,"Political discord inspires hundreds to enter TN races", The Tennessean , Apr. 2, 2010. but was defeated in the Democratic primary. Schechter describes himself as "a different kind of Democrat."
References
External links Eric Schechter's Mathematical Home Page Eric Schechter's Political Philosophy Home Page Eric Schechter's later Political Philosophy Home Page Congressional Campaign Website Additional Campaign Website