The Construction of Modern Science: Mechanisms and MechanicsCambridge University Press, 1977 - 171 This introduction to the history of science in the seventeenth century examines the so-called 'scientific revolution' in terms of the interplay between two major themes. The Platonic-Pythagorean tradition looked on nature in geometric terms with the conviction that the cosmos was constructed according to the principles of mathematical order, while the mechanical philosophy conceived of nature as a huge machine and sought to explain the hidden mechanisms behind phenomena. Pursuing different goals, these two movements of thought tended to conflict with each other, and more than the obviously mathematical sciences were affected - the influence spread as far as chemistry and the life sciences. As this book demonstrates, the full fruition of the scientific revolution required a resolution of the tension between the two dominant trends. |
Spis treści
Celestial Dynamics and Terrestrial Mechanics | 3 |
The Mechanical Philosophy | 25 |
Mechanical Science | 43 |
Mechanical Chemistry | 65 |
Biology and the Mechanical Philosophy | 82 |
Organization of the Scientific Enterprise | 105 |
The Science of Mechanics | 120 |
Newtonian Dynamics | 139 |
Suggestions for Further Reading | 160 |
167 | |
Inne wydania - Wyświetl wszystko
The Construction of Modern Science: Mechanisms and Mechanics Richard S. Westfall Ograniczony podgląd - 1977 |
The Construction of Modern Science: Mechanisms and Mechanics Richard S. Westfall Podgląd niedostępny - 1977 |
Kluczowe wyrazy i wyrażenia
17th century 17th century science Académie acceleration accepted acid aether analysis animals appeared Aristotelian Aristotle asserted astronomy attraction barometer basic biological blood Boyle Boyle's Cartesian cause celestial celestial dynamics centrifugal force chemical chemist chemistry Christiaan Huygens circle circular motion colors concept of force Copernican Copernicus cycloid demonstrated Descartes dynamics earth epicycle equal existence experiment experimental explain fluid statics Galileo Gassendi geometric gravity Harvey Harvey's heart Huygens iatrochemistry imagine impact inertia Isaac Newton Kepler law of universal Leibniz Lemery light magnetic mathematical mechanical philosophy mercury mixed bodies modern science move natural philosophy nitre observed occult optics orbit organized Paracelsian pendulum phenomena philosophy of nature physical planets Principia principles problem quantity of motion rays refraction Renaissance Naturalism Robert Boyle Royal Society salt saltpetre scientific revolution spirit spirit of nitre substances tendency theory things tion tradition universal gravitation velocity vortex weight