At last an illuminating and accessible edition of Isaac Newton's writings, intended for nonspecialist readers. I. Bernard Cohen and Richard S. Westfall have meticulously col]ected representative works from eve major aspect of Newton's intellectual life.
The book is divided into nine parts Natural Philosophy, Scientific Method. Experimental Procedure. Optics. Rational Mechanics, System of the World. Alchemy and Theory of Matter. Theology; and Mathematics. Text and commentary are woven together, enabling readers to concentrate on the aspects of Newton's astoundingly diverse career they prefer. For each part. the edilors provide an introductory essay and texlual annolation. In addition, the text is amply illustrated.
The "General Introduction" lo the book sketches Newton's life and offers an interpretation of his scientific achievements. The "Biographical Register" identifies the many people Newton cites in his writings. The "Glossary and "Glossary of Chemical Terms" explicate scientific terms and concepts. Finally, the "Selected Bibliography" offers suggestions for further readings of and about Newton.
Prefacc
General Introduction
Part 1: Natural Philosophy
Introduction
From "Quaestiones quaedam philosophicae"
Conjunction of Bodies
Of the Celestial Matter and Orbs
Of the Sun, Stars, Planets, and Comets
Of Gravity and Levity
Of Light
Of Sensation
Of the Flux and Reflux of the Sea
Hypothesis of Light
De Aere et Aethere
Queries 1-7 and 31
Queries 18-22
Alexandre Koyre · The Significance of the Newtonian Synthesis
A. Rupert Hall and Marie Boas Hall · Newton and the
Theory of Matter
Arnold Thackray · Matter in a Nut-Shell: Newton's Opticks and
Eighteenth-Century Chemistry
J. E. McGuire and P. M. Rattansi · Newton and the 'Pipes of Pan'
Part 2: Scientific Method
Introduction
A Note by David Gregory
From Query 31
Rules of Reasoning in Philosophy
From the General Scholium
From Newton to Cotes, March 28, 1713
From Newton to Oldenburg, February 6, 1672
From Newton to Oldenburg, June 10, 1672
From Newton to Oldenburg, July 6, 1672
Colin Maclaurin · From An Account of Sir Isaac Newton's
Philosophical Discoveries
I. Bernard Cohen · Newton's Method and Newton's Style
Part 3: Experimental Procedure
Introduction
From "Of Colours"
From Newton to Oldenburg, June 11, 1672
From Proposition 6, Book 3 of the Principia
From the General Scholium to Section 6, Book 2 of the Principia
From "An Account of the Book entituled Commercium
Epistolicum"
Part 4: Optics
Introduction
Newton to Oldenburg, February 6, 1672
From a Paper on Rings
Queries 28 and 29
Alan E. Shapiro · Experiment and Mathematics in Newton's
Theory of Color
Simon Schaffer · Class works
Part 5: Rational Mechanics
Introduction
Newton's "Author's Preface to the Reader" of the Principia
Paper of Directions Given by Newton to Bentley Respecting
the Books to Be Read before Endeavouring to Read and
Understand the Principia
Definitions
Laws of Motion
Selected Propositioas from the Principia, Book 1
Proposition 1
Proposition 2
Proposition 3
Proposition 4
Scholiuln
Proposition 6
Proposition 11
Proposition 41
Introduction, Section 11
Proposition 57
Proposition 63
Proposition 66
Concluding Scholium to Section 11
Proposition 70
Proposition 71
Scholium to Section 9, Book 2 of the Prineipia
Alfred'North Whitehead · From Science and the Modern World
Part 6: System of the World
Introduction
Book 3: On the System of the World
From The System of the World
Colin Maclaurin · From An Account of Sir Isaac Newton's
Philosophical Discoveries
David Kubrin · Newton and the Cyclical Cosmos:
Providence and the Mechanical Philosophy
Part 7: Alchemy and Theory of Matter
Introduction
From "Of Natures Obvious Laws and Processes in Vegetation"
Chapter 5 of Praxis
"De Natura Acidorum"
John Maynard Keynes · From "Newton, the Man"
Betty Jo Teeter Dobbs · From "Newton's Alchemy and His Theory
of Matter"
Part 8: Theology
Introduction
From a Memorandum by David Gregory
Four Letters to Richard Bentley
General Scholium
An Early Theological Manuscript
A Short Schem of the True Religion
Twelve Articles
Introduction to a Treatise on Revelation
Richard S. Wesffall · Newton and Christianity
Part 9: Mathematics
Introduction
The Tract of October 1666
Section 1, Book a of the Principia
Lemma 2, Book 2 of the Principia
Leibniz's Judgment of Newton as a Mathematician
Colson's Account of the Method of Fluxions
George Berkeley · From The Analyst
D. T. Whiteside · Newton the Mathematician
Postscript: Albert Einstein on Newton's Opticks
Biographical Register
Glossary
Glossary of Chemical Terms
Isaac Newton: A Chronology
Selected Bibliography