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 8
... experimental philosophers such as Robert Boyle. The conception of nature proposed in the Principia and Opticks was hailed by some as compatible with the truth revealed in the Bible. For others, Newton's mathematical principles of ...
... experimental philosophers such as Robert Boyle. The conception of nature proposed in the Principia and Opticks was hailed by some as compatible with the truth revealed in the Bible. For others, Newton's mathematical principles of ...
Page 16
... experimental philosopher and the heretic, which would end up dividing Newtonian scholars into opposing camps. Newton's 'secret' manuscripts were later sold at public auction in 1936. While the break-up and dispersion of the Portsmouth ...
... experimental philosopher and the heretic, which would end up dividing Newtonian scholars into opposing camps. Newton's 'secret' manuscripts were later sold at public auction in 1936. While the break-up and dispersion of the Portsmouth ...
Page 32
... experiments, destined to change the history of optics, such as the experimentum crucis and. 9 'How to make flying Dragons', from John Bate, The Mysteries of Nature and Art in Four Severall Parts (London, 1654). The young Newton consulted ...
... experiments, destined to change the history of optics, such as the experimentum crucis and. 9 'How to make flying Dragons', from John Bate, The Mysteries of Nature and Art in Four Severall Parts (London, 1654). The young Newton consulted ...
Page 34
... experimental science.4 Rigid self-control, dedication to research, the serene acceptance of experimental results, the study of nature aimed at revealing the providential action of God, and an interest in the applications of the new ...
... experimental science.4 Rigid self-control, dedication to research, the serene acceptance of experimental results, the study of nature aimed at revealing the providential action of God, and an interest in the applications of the new ...
Page 36
... experimental physicists of all time. Studies in British universities were still closely linked to the Aristotelian ... Experiments and Considerations Touching Colours (1664)), John Wallis (particularly influential on him was the ...
... experimental physicists of all time. Studies in British universities were still closely linked to the Aristotelian ... Experiments and Considerations Touching Colours (1664)), John Wallis (particularly influential on him was the ...
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