The Cambridge Companion to Newton

by I. Bernard Cohen (Editor), George E. Smith (Editor)

Overview

Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727) was one of the greatest scientists of all time, a thinker of extraordinary range and creativity who has left enduring legacies in mathematics and the natural sciences. In this volume a team of distinguished contributors examine all the main aspects of Newton's thought, including not only his approach to space, time, mechanics, and universal gravity in his Principia, his research in optics, and his contributions to mathematics, but also his more clandestine investigations into alchemy, theology, and prophecy, which have sometimes been overshadowed by his mathematical and scientific interests.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781139816045
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/25/2002
Series:	Cambridge Companions to Philosophy
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	4 MB

Table of Contents

List of figures; List of contributors; Preface; Introduction I. Bernard Cohen and George E. Smith; 1. Newton's philosophical analysis of space and time Robert DiSalle; 2. Newton's concepts of force and mass, with notes on the Laws of Motion I. Bernard Cohen; 3. Curvature in Newton's dynamics J. Bruce Brackenridge and Michael Nauenberg; 4. The methodology of the Principia George E. Smith; 5. Newton's argument for universal gravitation William Harper; 6. Newton and celestial mechanics Curtis Wilson; 7. Newton's optics and atomism Alan E. Shapiro; 8. Newton's metaphysics Howard Stein; 9. Analysis and synthesis in Newton's mathematical work Niccolò Guicciardini; 10. Newton, active powers and the mechanical philosophy Alan Gabbey; 11. The background to Newton's chemistry William Newman; 12. Newton's alchemy Karin Figala; 13. Newton on prophecy and the Apocalypse Maurizio Mamiani; 14. Newton and eighteenth-century Christianity Scott Mandelbrote; 15. Newton versus Leibniz: from geometry to metaphysics A. Rupert Hall; 16. Newton and the Leibniz-Clarke correspondence Domenico Bertoloni Meli; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

Isaac Newton (1642-1727) did not contribute to philosophy, but the editors argue that he deserves to be included in a series of companions to major philosophers because to him and his contemporaries, his work was in the field of natural philosophy, which has only seceded into science since then. Historians and philosophers of science look at such aspects as his concepts of force and mass, the methodology of the , and his alchemy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

"A worthy addition to the already rich and diverse Cambridge Companion series, this new multi-authored work provides a valuable tool for historians, philosophers, and theologians who study Newton's massive literary output and incalculable impact on the modern world." ISIS

"The contributors have produced sixteen well-written and admirably focused chapters.... Good index; excellent selective and intelligently organized bibliography. This book splendidly has met its goals. Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty." Choice

"A complete survey of Newton's thought." Seventeenth Century News

From the Publisher