Essay about Sir Isaac Newton’s Principia and the Royal...

The publication of Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica is widely considered an extraordinary event in the history of science. In the Principia, Newton introduced a system of mechanical explanation of the world that revolutionized physics. Of particular importance in the Principia was Newton’s mathematical demonstration of the existence of the force of gravity, which he demonstrated to be at work in a wide range of phenomena. But as revolutionary as Newton’s discovery and demonstration was, the Principia also represented a revolution in the goals of science. Newton’s Principia helped to shift the course of science from an effort to â€Å"find first causes† into an attempt to â€Å"establish a set of principles †¦ to predict and to retrodict the†¦show more content†¦The most fundamental impact of the existence of the Royal Society on the trajectory of scientific inquiry was its fostering of a community of scientific intellectuals. The Royal Society provided a journal for publishing scientific works (the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society), a prestigious title for its elected â€Å"Fellows,† and even salaried jobs for its officers. With this support for the work of intellectuals dedicated to science, the Royal Society promoted a network of individuals with which those with new ideas could cooperate, correspond, and debate. This function of the Royal Society deeply impacted both the creation and the dissemination of Isaac Newton’s ideas. Indeed, before the Principia, Newton was reluctant to publish his mathematical or scientific works, opting instead to perfect and disseminate his discoveries by corresponding with other intellectuals. It was the Royal Society’s creation of a community of intellectuals that allowed for this process to occur: most of Newton’s correspondents were either direct employees or elected Fellows of the Royal Society, such as Henry Oldenbu rg, Edmond Halley, John Craig, John Collins, and others. Further, even when unpublished, many of Newton’s manuscripts were deposited at the library Royal Society in London for others to read and learn from. This network of individuals in a focused scientific community would prove an invaluable resource for Newton inShow MoreRelatedThe Contributions of Isaac Newton Essay1342 Words   |  6 Pages Sir Isaac Newton was a well educated person. He wrote on many topics including math, science, religion, and even philosophy. He also held many high ranking positions such as a member of the Royal Society and being the Master of the Mint. Information about his life and achievements will be discussed in the following paragraphs, along with how the achievements relate to the humanities base theme of faith and reason. Sir Isaac Newton was born on Christmas Day in 1642. This is theRead MoreEssay on The Life of Sir Isaac Newton 1394 Words   |  6 Pagesthe centuries, math has evolved in an astounding way. Since the beginning of time, there have been many mathematicians that has influenced and contributed to the math we know today. None compares to the work of Sir Isaac Newton. He was influential as a person, as well as in his work. Sir Isaac Newton was born on December 25, 1642 in Wools Thorpe, Lincolnshire. Shortly after his father’s death, Newton was born premature and was not expected to survive. After his father’s death, his mother got remarriedRead More Biography of Isaac Newton Essay1127 Words   |  5 Pages Isaac Newton was a key figure in the development of the age of reason. His achievements revolutionized physics and mathematics and he has been recognized as an undisputed genius (Gardner 13). Newton was a intriguing individual who played an important role in the advancement of the scientific community of his time and of today. Newton was born on Christmas day in 1642 to a widowed farming mother. When he was three his mother left him in the care of his grandmother, so she could remarry (WestfallRead MoreThe Achievements Of Isaac Newton1368 Words   |  6 Pagesscientific life that we live in today. One of the most influential scientists would be that of Sir Isaac Newton. Newton was a prominent philosopher, astronomer, mathematician, physicist, and scientist during the 17th century. The accomplishments completed within his life helped in contributing and shaping the fact that he was one of the single-most influential scientists of his time. On January 4, 1643, Isaac Newton was born in the Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, England colony. His birth date, using theRead More The Union of Science and Religion through Isaac Newton Essay1601 Words   |  7 Pagespremature baby boy was born. The boy, Isaac Newton, proved to be a survivor and grew into a religiously and intellectually strong man. Intrigued by the universe that God created, Newtons faith inspired him to make many of the greatest scientific discoveries in the history of man. Newton discovered gravity, explained the motion of planets, and knew how to turn white light into a rainbow. He wrote one of the greatest scientific works of all time: The Principia. Newton believed that religion and scienceRead MoreSir Isaac Newton s Theory Of Light And Color743 Words   |  3 PagesSir Isaac Newton was one of the most scientific intellects of all time who was a highly regarded mathematician and physicist. He was credited as one of the greatest in the scientific revolution. He also attended Cambridge University. He developed the principles of modern physics through his work in Philosophiae and Naturalis Principia Mathemaica. Philosophaie was said to be, â€Å"the single most influential book on physics,† because it has information on nearly all essential concepts of physics (biographyRead MoreSir Isaac Newton : The Father Of Modern Physics1185 Words   |  5 Pageswould be remembered Sir Isaac Newton once said,I do not know what I may appear to the world; but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself now and then in finding a smoother pebble or prettier shell than ordinary, while the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me(bio.com)†Today, one of the most highly regarded scientists is still Sir Isaac Newton. He should be remembered as the father of modern physics. Sir Isaac Newton was born on JanRead MoreLisa Jardine s Ingenious Pursuits : Building The Scientific Revolution1291 Words   |  6 Pagesupon. The suspicion of these scientific facts quickly grew to an open challenging of these facts, The Scientific Revolution. The Scientific Revolution is something we have all studied in our grade school years and the discoveries of people such as Isaac Newton and Galileo Galilei are well documented and arguably common knowledge but Jardine’s book Ingenious Pursuits encapsulates the scientific revolution in a new light. Jardine accomplishes this by telling the stories of some of the greatest achievementsRead MoreEssay on The Contributions of Isaac Newton973 Words   |  4 Pages Sir Isaac Newton is considered by many people to be the greatest scientist that ever lived. He made key fundamental contributions to mathematics and physics. His revolutionary advances in math, optics, physics, and astronomy are bases for the principles we use today. A little known fact about Newtons legacy is that if you look in an encyclopedia of science, it will reveal at least 2 to 3 times more references to Newton than any other individual scientist. Newton was bornRead MoreThe Life and Work of Isaac Newton Essay2202 Words   |  9 Pages Sir Isaac Newton has been considered one of the most outstanding scientists of all time. He has often been portrayed as a man who saw the world in absolutes and adopted an image of a scientist who after centuries of ignorance and superstition gave rise to a time of empirical science in a modern world. However various sources have personified Newton in a different light. There is evidence to suggest that Newton was a seeker of a synthesis of all knowledge and believed