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The Cambridge companion to Newton. (English) Zbl 1031.01006

Cambridge Companions to Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. xiv, 500 p. (2002).
This book belongs to a publisher’s series that normally treats the work of philosophers. Newton’s own philosophical views are duly noted here; for example, his conception of force, his understanding of analysis and synthesis in mathematical proof, his metaphysical assumptions, and the heretical form of his Christianity and writings on prophecy. But several articles are devoted mainly to his scientific work: not only the Principia mathematica (1687) but also his optics and alchemy.
After the editor’s introduction, 15 articles by leading experts in Newton scholarship cover all these topics. The standard of writing is generally high and well referenced in endnotes to each article. A good general bibliography ends the volume; a chronological table of his life and career would also have been welcome.

MSC:

01A45 History of mathematics in the 17th century
01-02 Research exposition (monographs, survey articles) pertaining to history and biography
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