The Problem of the Earth's Shape from Newton to Clairaut: The Rise of Mathematical Science in Eighteenth-Century Paris and the Fall of 'Normal' Science Book + PRICE WATCH * Amazon pricing is not included in price watch

The Problem of the Earth's Shape from Newton to Clairaut: The Rise of Mathematical Science in Eighteenth-Century Paris and the Fall of 'Normal' Science Book

This thorough, technical study of the spread of Newtonian physics in France, using the particular problem of the Earthts shape, shows in detail that the adoption of the new paradigm in place of the Cartesian one was far more subtle than followers of the Kuhnian model might expect. Many continental and Parisian scholars contributed to the eventual formation of a mature theory of the earthts shape in what was as much an evolutionary as revolutionary process. Highly technical, the book lays out a series of mathematical discoveries only rarely analyzed by modern Western scholars.Read More

from£84.15 | RRP: £90.00
* Excludes Voucher Code Discount Also available Used from £129.01
  • Product Description

    In this book, Greenberg investigates the spread of Newtonian physics in the French scientific community during the eighteenth century. His central thesis is that Newton's own publications contributed only a small part of the work done on the shape of the earth. Continental scholars, especially Leibniz, influenced developments in Paris, and other French scholars, including Bouguer and Maupertuis, all contributed work used by Alexis-Claude Clairaut in developing his mature theory of the earth's shape. The evolution of Parisian physics, then, proved to be not merely the replacement of one paradigm with another, as might be expected from Thomas Kuhn's formulations about scientific revolutions, but a long, complicated process involving many areas of research and contributions from the entire scientific world. "Normal" science contributed not only anomalies present in earlier theories, but a good part of the solution.

  • 0521385415
  • 9780521385411
  • John L. Greenberg
  • 28 July 1995
  • Cambridge University Press
  • Hardcover (Book)
  • 800
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. If you click through any of the links below and make a purchase we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Click here to learn more.

Would you like your name to appear with the review?

We will post your book review within a day or so as long as it meets our guidelines and terms and conditions. All reviews submitted become the licensed property of www.find-book.co.uk as written in our terms and conditions. None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.

All form fields are required.