With his Principia of 1687, Isaac Newton (1642-1727) laid the foundations of modern science. This achievement was possible because – as he phrased – he could stand on the shoulders of giants. When you open Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, however, you will have a hard time finding Newton’s laws and recognizing it as Newtonian mechanics. What exactly are the shoulders we are standing on? In this presentation we will have a closer look at the Principia to find out what problems Newton solved.
Prof. dr. ir. Fokko Jan Dijksterhuis is Associate Professor of History of Science (UT) and Professor of Early Modern Knowledge History (VU Amsterdam).
Monday 25 February, 12.45-13.30 hours
Vrijhof/Amphitheater
Free lunch for students!
In cooperation with Arago and Newton
