Readings in the History of Science

About this event

The history of science meetup group has opened a new chapter. We've now discussed scientific developments up to and including Newton at some length. The focus going forward will be post-Newton. The 19th century was a golden age for analytical work in mathematics. Correspondingly analytical mechanics and thermodynamics also developed and, not surprisingly, these met the needs of the burgeoning industrial revolution. New concepts of work and energy were developed. These and related issues will be the focus of our new chapter. • • The history of science meetup is now meeting every two weeks. The next meeting is September 3, 6 pm to 8 pm (Pacific time). We are currently reading and discussing Judith Grabiner’s ‘The Origins of Cauchy’s Rigorous Calculus'. In our last meeting we made it up to page 64 in chapter 3\. We will continue where we left off and proceed into Chapter 4. We can expect to make it half way through chapter 4, give or take.. Chapter 3 focuses on approximation methods and chapter 4 on continuity. If you wish to join us you can get a pdf of the book by sending a request to [email protected]. • • • Subsequent readings will include: Jan Rychlewski, ‘The origins of Newton’s mechanics. mass, force, and gravity’ Sandro Caparrini and Craig Fraser, ‘Mechanics in the Eighteenth Century’ Helmut Pulte, ‘Jacobi’s Criticism of Lagrange: The Changing Role of Mathematics. If you need a copy of the Janiak or Ducheyne articles send a note to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) with Janiak Ducheyne in the subject line. • • *