Isaac Newton and Natural PhilosophyIsaac Newton is one of the greatest scientists in history, yet the spectrum of his interests was much broader than that of most contemporary scientists. In fact, Newton would have defined himself not as a scientist, but as a natural philosopher. He was deeply involved in alchemical, religious, and biblical studies, and in the later part of his life he played a prominent role in British politics, economics, and the promotion of scientific research. Newton’s pivotal work Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, which sets out his laws of universal gravitation and motion, is regarded as one of the most important works in the history of science. Niccolò Guicciardini’s enlightening biography offers an accessible introduction both to Newton’s celebrated research in mathematics, optics, mechanics, and astronomy and to how Newton viewed these scientific fields in relation to his quest for the deepest secrets of the universe, matter theory and religion. Guicciardini sets Newton the natural philosopher in the troubled context of the religious and political debates ongoing during Newton’s life, a life spanning the English Civil Wars, the Restoration, the Glorious Revolution, and the Hanoverian succession. Incorporating the latest Newtonian scholarship, this fast-paced biography broadens our perception of both this iconic figure and the great scientific revolution of the early modern period. |
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Page 38
... to deform it (c. 1666). This experiment shows both Newton's interest in the functioning of visual perception and the discipline he exerted upon himself. 11 Cover of the Deanalysi manuscript 'Sent by Dr Barrow. isaac newton 38.
... to deform it (c. 1666). This experiment shows both Newton's interest in the functioning of visual perception and the discipline he exerted upon himself. 11 Cover of the Deanalysi manuscript 'Sent by Dr Barrow. isaac newton 38.
Page 39
... Isaac Barrow, who in ways which are not entirely clear exerted some influence on his education. More, generally considered one of the leading exponents with Ralph Cudworth 39 From Woolsthorpe to Cambridge.
... Isaac Barrow, who in ways which are not entirely clear exerted some influence on his education. More, generally considered one of the leading exponents with Ralph Cudworth 39 From Woolsthorpe to Cambridge.
Page 40
... Isaac Barrow in the formation of the young Newton, meanwhile, seems to be more documented.9 From 1663 onwards Barrow held the Lucasian Chair of Mathematics at Cambridge. He was a fellow of the same college as Newton, Trinity, and we ...
... Isaac Barrow in the formation of the young Newton, meanwhile, seems to be more documented.9 From 1663 onwards Barrow held the Lucasian Chair of Mathematics at Cambridge. He was a fellow of the same college as Newton, Trinity, and we ...
Page 41
... Barrow and Newton's early mathematical works. Barrow was also to ask his young colleague to oversee the publication of his lectures, and it was Barrow who promoted knowledge of Newton's early mathematical discoveries in 1669 by sending ...
... Barrow and Newton's early mathematical works. Barrow was also to ask his young colleague to oversee the publication of his lectures, and it was Barrow who promoted knowledge of Newton's early mathematical discoveries in 1669 by sending ...
Page 47
... Barrow, that Newton found an answer: a technique he named 'new analysis'. In early modern Europe 'analysis' was a term with a complex semantic stratification, as it was used in medicine, chemistry, philosophy and mathematics. To ...
... Barrow, that Newton found an answer: a technique he named 'new analysis'. In early modern Europe 'analysis' was a term with a complex semantic stratification, as it was used in medicine, chemistry, philosophy and mathematics. To ...
Contents
7 | |
22 | |
42 | |
3 A Young Professor and His Audience 16691674 | 76 |
4 A Maturing Scholar 16751683 | 102 |
5 Natural Philosopher 16841695 | 143 |
6 The Last Years 16961727 | 180 |
Chronology | 233 |
References | 237 |
Bibliography | 253 |
Acknowledgements | 257 |
Photo Acknowledgements | 259 |
Index | 261 |
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absolute space according to Newton alchemical alchemist algebra ancient anti-Trinitarian astronomical Barrow Bentley biblical bodies Boyle calculus Cambridge Cartesian Catholic causes century chronology Church colours comets Commercium conception contemporaries corpuscles corpuscular correspondence cosmology curves defended Descartes distance divine Earth edition Edmond Halley ematical England ether experimental experiments experimentum crucis fact Fatio geometry Glorious Revolution God’s Halley Hooke Hooke’s Huygens Hypothesis idea illus infinite number Isaac Barrow Isaac Newton Johann Bernoulli John Kepler King’s laws of motion Leibniz London Lucasian Lectures magnetic manuscripts mathematicians matter mechanical philosophy metals metaphysical method method of fluxions Micrographia natural philosophy Newton’s early Newton’s mathematical Newtonian observed Opticks optics orbit particles phenomena planetary motion planets political Principia principles prism problems published Queries refraction religion religious Robert Boyle Royal Society Scholium soul stars Stephen Snobelen surface telescope texts theological theory of colours tion trajectories University white light