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Different shades of Newton: Herman Boerhaave on Newton mathematicus, philosophus, and optico-chemicus.

Authors :
Ducheyne S
Source :
Annals of science [Ann Sci] 2017 Apr; Vol. 74 (2), pp. 108-125. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 Mar 29.
Publication Year :
2017

Abstract

In this paper I will probe into Herman Boerhaave's (1668-1738) appropriation of Isaac Newton's natural philosophy. It will be shown that Newton's work served multiple purposes in Boerhaave's oeuvre, for he appropriated Newton's work differently in different contexts and in different episodes in his career. Three important episodes in, and contexts of, Boerhaave's appropriation of Newton's natural philosophical ideas and methods will be considered: 1710-11, the time of his often neglected lectures on the place of physics in medicine; 1715, when he delivered his most famous rectorial address; and, finally, 1731/2, in publishing his Elementa chemiae. Along the way, I will spell out the implications of Boerhaave's case for our understanding of the reception, or use, of Newton's ideas more generally.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1464-505X
Volume :
74
Issue :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Annals of science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
28353404
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/00033790.2017.1304574