“It is not therefore the business of philosophy, in our present situation in the universe, to attempt to take in at once, in one view, the whole scheme of nature; but to extend, with great care and circumspection, our knowledge, by just steps, from sensible things, as far as our observations or reasonings from them will carry us, in our enquiries concerning either the greater motions and operations of nature, or her more subtile and hidden works. In this way Sir Isaac Newton proceeded in his discoveries.”
Quote by Colin Maclaurin
Work
An Account of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophical Discoveries. 2. Ed
An Account of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophical Discoveries, second edition, is a comprehensive compilation of Newton's groundbreaking scientific ideas. It delves into his laws of motion and universal gravitation, offering readers an in-depth look at the foundational principles of classical mechanics. This edition is a revised and expanded version of the original work, providing a more detailed exploration of Newton's contributions to the scientific community. more
Author
Colin Maclaurin
Colin Maclaurin (1698-1746) was a distinguished Scottish mathematician and a leading figure in the Newton school of mathematics. He became a professor of mathematics at Marischal College Aberdeen at the remarkably young age of 19. Maclaurin made significant contributions to calculus, geometry, and algebra, and is best remembered for the Maclaurin series, a special case of the Taylor series. His influential work "Treatise on Fluxions" (1742) systematically developed Newton's method of fluxions and addressed issues of convergence. He also contributed to geodesy, astronomy, and physics, winning prizes from the French Academy of Sciences. As a professor at the University of Edinburgh, he trained generations of mathematicians and played a pivotal role in the Scottish Enlightenment's scientific advancement. He died on June 14, 1746, at age 48. more