A celebrated work in the history of science and a monument of British book design. First book to be printed in Caslon's Great Primer Roman

Isaac 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.

A wide, accessible representation of the interests, problems, and philosophic issues that preoccupied the great 17th-century scientist, this collection is grouped according to methods, principles, and theological considerations. 1953 edition.

In this monograph, Steffen Ducheyne provides a historically detailed and systematically rich explication of Newton’s methodology. Throughout the pages of this book, it will be shown that Newton developed a complex natural-philosophical methodology which encompasses procedures to minimize inductive risk during the process of theory formation and which, thereby, surpasses a standard hypothetico-deductive methodological setting. Accordingly, it will be highlighted that the so-called ‘Newtonian Revolution’ was not restricted to the empirical and theoretical dimensions of science, but applied equally to the methodological dimension of science. Furthermore, it will be documented that Newton’s methodology was far from static and that it developed alongside with his scientific work. Attention will be paid not only to the successes of Newton’s innovative methodology, but equally to its tensions and limitations. Based on a thorough study of Newton’s extant manuscripts, this monograph will address and contextualize, inter alia, Newton’s causal realism, his views on action at a distance and space and time, the status of efficient causation in the /Principia/, the different phases of his methodology, his treatment of force and the constituents of the physico-mathematical models in the context of Book I of the /Principia/, the analytic part of the argument for universal gravitation, the meaning and significance of his regulae philosophandi, the methodological differences between his mechanical and optical work, and, finally, the interplay between Newton’s theology and his natural philosophy.

Shedding new light on the intellectual context of Newton's scientific thought, this book explores the development of his mathematical philosophy, rational mechanics, and celestial dynamics. An appendix includes the last paper written by Newton biographer Richard S. Westfall.

A celebrated work in the history of science and a monument of British book design. First book to be printed in Caslon's Great Primer Roman

A View of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophy is a significant work by the renowned scientist Sir Isaac Newton himself. In this book, Newton provides a comprehensive overview of his groundbreaking theories and philosophical perspectives that revolutionized the understanding of the physical world. Key Aspects of The Book “A View of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophy: Principia Mathematica: Newton explains the fundamental principles of his landmark work, Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, commonly known as the Principia. He elucidates his laws of motion, universal gravitation, and the mathematical framework that underpins his theories, shaping the foundations of modern physics. Experimental and Deductive Reasoning: Newton emphasizes the importance of empirical observation and rigorous experimentation in scientific inquiry. He highlights the interplay between experimental data and deductive reasoning, illustrating his scientific method and its application in formulating laws and theories. The Nature of Light and Optics: Newton delves into his experiments and theories on the nature of light and optics. He discusses the phenomena of reflection, refraction, and color, providing insights into the behavior of light and the properties of different materials. Through A View of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophy, readers gain a deeper understanding of Newton's profound contributions to the scientific community. From his laws of motion to his investigations into light and optics, the book showcases Newton's intellectual prowess, rigorous scientific approach, and the transformative impact of his discoveries on the field of physics. Sir Isaac Newton: Sir Isaac Newton, an English mathematician, physicist, and astronomer, is regarded as one of the greatest scientists in history. Born in 1643, Newton's groundbreaking work in the fields of mechanics and gravitation laid the foundation for classical physics. His seminal work, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, introduced the laws of motion and the universal law of gravitation, transforming our understanding of the physical world. Newton's contributions to mathematics and science revolutionized scientific thought, establishing him as an intellectual giant whose influence continues to shape our understanding of the universe.