Leibniz's Correspondence in Science, Technology and Medicine (1676 -1701)

Core Themes and Core Texts
Erscheinungsjahr 2024
ISBN: 978-90-04-35490-6
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, Band 39, 1072 Seiten, Format (B × H): 159 mm x 238 mm, Gewicht: 2216 g

Reihe: Medieval and Early Modern Philosophy and Science

Leibniz’s correspondence from his years spent in Paris (1672-1676) reflects his growth to mathematical maturity whereas that from the years 1676-1701 reveals his growth to maturity in science, technology and medicine in the course of which more than 2000 letters were exchanged with more than 200 correspondents. The remaining years until his death in 1716 witnessed above all the appearance of his major philosophical works.

The focus of the present work is Leibniz's middle period and the core themes and core texts from his multilingual correspondence are presented in English from the following subject areas: mathematics, natural philosophy, physics (and cosmology), power technology (including mining and transport), engineering and engineering science, projects (scientific, technological and economic projects), alchemy and chemistry, geology, biology and medicine.

Autoren/Hrsg.

O'Hara, James

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Wissenschaftstheorie, Wissenschaftsphilosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Wissenschafts- und Universitätsgeschichte
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Formalen Wissenschaften & Technik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface

Acknowledgements

List of Illustrations

Introduction: The Core Themes

1 Biographical Background (1676–1701)

2 Mathematics

3 Natural Philosophy

4 Physics

5 Energy Conversion, Transmission, Storage and Power Technology

6 Engineering

7 Projects

8 Alchemy and Chemistry

9 Earth Sciences: Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology and Ethnography, Etymology

10 Biology and Life Sciences

11 Medicine

The Correspondence: Core Texts

1 1676–June 1683

1 Biographical Background (1676–June 1683)

2 Mathematics

3 Natural Philosophy and Physics

4 Technology: Mining in the Harz District

5 Projects: Calculating Machines

6 Techno-Economic Projects

7 Projects: The Organization of Science

8 Alchemy and Chemistry

9 Geology, Mineralogy and Paleontology

10 Medicine

2 July 1683–1690

1 Biographical Background (1683–1690)

2 Mathematics: Infinitesimal Calculus and Other Issues

3 Natural Philosophy

4 Physics: Celestial Mechanics, Mechanics, Acoustics, Optics and Sundry Topics

5 Technology: Mining and Power Technology

6 Ballistae – Military Engines and Engineering

7 Engineering Science

8 Projects: Economics and Administration

9 Alchemy and Chemistry

10 Geology, Mineralogy and Paleontology

11 Biology and Medicine

3 1691–1693

1 Biographical Background (1691–1693)

2 Infinitesimal Calculus and Other Mathematics

3 Natural Philosophy and Dynamics

4 Physics: Celestial and Terrestrial Mechanics

5 Physics: Optics

6 Engineering Science: Hydromechanics and Mechanics of Fluids

7 Projects: Calculating Machines and Cryptography

8 Projects: Experiments with Submersible Vessels

9 Techno-Economic Projects

10 Projects: The Organization of Science

11 Medicine

4 1694–June 1696

1 Biographical Background (1694–June 1696)

2 Infinitesimal Calculus and Other Mathematics

3 Dynamics and Natural Philosophy

4 Physics: Celestial Mechanics, Gravitation

5 Physics: Optics

6 Power Technology and Mining

7 Engineering

8 Engineering: Ballistae, Military Engines

9 Projects: Mathematical Instruments and Calculating Machines

10 Projects: Submersibles, Diving Vessels and Navigation

11 Projects: Economics and Trade

12 Projects: The Organization of Science and Education

13 Medicine and Res Medica

5 July 1696–1698

1 Biographical Background (July 1696–1698)

2 Mathematics: The Brachistochrone and Isoperimetric Problems

3 Mathematics: The Priority Dispute

4 Mathematics: Criticism of the Differential Calculus

5 Mathematics: Mathematical Textbooks and Sundry Topics

6 Natural Philosophy: The Controversy with Papin about “Vis Viva” and “Actio”

7 Physics: Optics

8 Power Technology

9 Civil Engineering, Garden Design and Architecture

10 Other Engineering Enterprises

11 Process or Chemical Engineering

12 Projects: Cryptography

13 Projects: Brandy Distillation

14 Alchemy and Chemistry

15 Paleontology and Earth History

16 Biology

17 Medicine

6 1699–1701

1 Biographical Background (1699–1701)

2 Mathematics

3 Natural Philosophy

4 Physics

5 Astronomy and Calendar Reform

6 Power Technology

7 Engineering: Manufactories

8 Projects: Calculating Machines

9 Projects: the Berlin Society of Sciences and the Organization of Science

10 Alchemy

11 Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology, Ethnography and Etymology

12 Biology

13 Medicine

Epilogue: Core Theses and Conclusion

1 The Ten Theses

2 Conclusion and Concluding Thesis

Bibliography

Index of Names

Index of Subjects

Über Autor(innen)

James G. O'Hara, Ph.D., (1979), University of Manchester, is an historian of science and technology. During his career, he has taught and done research in Delft, Regensburg, Stuttgart, Munich (Deutsches Museum), Hamburg and Hanover. His research interests include the edition of manuscript papers of historical personages in science and technology (17th–19th centuries). Between 1987 and 2013, he co-edited five volumes of Leibniz’s correspondence in mathematics, science and technology at the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Library (Hanover).