Honor Thy Newton

How far has Newtonian scholarship progressed in course of two decades? Until 1990s, those students of other Sir Isaac New ton-the theologian and alchemist wrote as if an apology might in order, or at least a self-justification. Today, opposite appears to case. Theology is at front and center of Newtonian industry, Margaret Jacob informs us in her introduction to Newton and Newtonianism, followed by alchemical-chemical, and ever persistent questions about Newton's legacy (p. ix). This radical shift of scholarly interests away from mathematical and physical sciences, viewed approvingly by Jacob, coincides with passing of the greats of older generation-albeit Jacob is a bit premature in pronounc ing Tom Whiteside's demise. It also dovetails with position held by Betty Jo Dobbs that there existed a unified Newton, held together by fabric of his deep religiosity (p. xi). While such a position is open to debate, Jacob's comment that Dobbs' own religious core situated her closer to her subject than more secularist scholars might hope to be (p. xi) is cause for some concern. The implication that secular

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• Isaac Newton, scholar

  Open Access•Paul Greenham•History Compass•2017

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• Clarifying divine discourse in early modern science

  Paul Greenham•The Seventeenth Century•2017

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