Newton's General Scholium in 17th & 18th Century Religion
TLDRIn this scholarly discussion, Scott Mandelbrote, a renowned Newton scholar, explores the reception of Isaac Newton's 'General Scholium' in 17th and 18th century religious thought. Mandelbrote argues that many readers, including Voltaire, misunderstood Newton's metaphysical views, often attributing to him ideas he opposed, such as Spinozism. He suggests that the 'General Scholium' was overshadowed by Newton's 'Opticks' and correspondence with Bentley, influencing how it was interpreted. The talk delves into various contexts affecting the 'Scholium's' reception, including Newton's quarrel with Leibniz, Samuel Clarke's 'Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity,' and the perception of Newton's religious beliefs. Mandelbrote's analysis uncovers a complex history of misinterpretation and the enduring impact of these readings on modern scholarship.
Takeaways
- 📚 Scott Mandelbrote's work has significantly contributed to Newton's scholarship, particularly in the areas of Newton's correspondence, his role as a patristic and Biblical scholar, and his influence on 18th-century natural theology.
- 🔍 The reception of Newton's General Scholium was often influenced by preconceived notions about his views on metaphysics, leading to a variety of interpretations that may not have aligned with Newton's original intentions.
- 🌐 The misunderstanding of Newton's work was not limited to a single region; it spanned across different countries and was influenced by various contexts, including the work of contemporaries like Samuel Clarke and the broader theological debates of the time.
- 📜 The Latin edition of Newton's Optics, particularly Query 31, played a significant role in shaping how people read and interpreted the General Scholium, often leading to misinterpretations based on what readers already believed about Newton's views.
- ✍️ John Maxwell's translation and discourse concerning God in 1715 was an early and significant interpretation of the General Scholium, which presented Newton as an opponent of Descartes and linked his ideas to a broader theological context.
- 🤔 The idea that Newton's natural philosophy was influenced by or derived from Islamic sources was a recurring theme in the reception of his work, reflecting the complex interplay between science and religion in the 18th century.
- 📈 The publication of Newton's letters with Bentley in 1756 provided new insights into Newton's thoughts, which influenced the subsequent interpretation of his work, including the General Scholium.
- 📉 Criticisms of Newton's theological views, including accusations of materialism and Spinozism, were common in the 18th century, with some Enlightenment thinkers rejecting his ideas as nonsensical or dangerous to religious orthodoxy.
- 📝 The use of Acts 17:27-28 as a proof text in discussions of Newton's natural philosophy was a strategic choice that allowed interpreters to present Newton's ideas in a more orthodox light, avoiding controversy.
- 🌟 Newton's reputation as a natural philosopher was both praised and criticized, with some seeing him as a threat to liberty and social order due to his definition of God, while others viewed him as a champion of natural law and order.
- ❓ The question of whether Newton's General Scholium was widely read and understood in its own right or overshadowed by his other works, such as the Optics, remains a point of debate and highlights the complexity of the reception of his ideas.
Q & A
Who is Scott Mandelbrote and what is his contribution to Newton's scholarship?
-Scott Mandelbrote is a parent librarian and a fellow of Peterhouse College in Cambridge. He has made a significant contribution to Newton's scholarship, working on Newton as a patristic and Biblical scholar, among other things. His work on Newton's correspondence with Thomas Burnett influenced many scholars, and he is also known for editing a vast collection on the reception of Newton and co-organizing the Newton project, which has been an invaluable resource for scholars.
What is the significance of the General Scholium in Newton's work?
-The General Scholium is significant in Newton's work as it discusses the philosophical and theological implications of his scientific discoveries. It has been a subject of debate and interpretation, particularly in relation to Newton's views on God and the natural world.
How did the understanding of natural theology change in the 17th century English universities?
-In 17th century English universities, there was a tradition of thinking of metaphysics as natural theology. This language and understanding evolved over time, influenced by Newton's work and the commentaries of scholars like Richard Bentley, who argued about the lawfulness of the universe and what could be learned about God from it.
What is the role of the General Scholium in shaping Newton's reputation as a natural theologian?
-The General Scholium has been a point of contention in shaping Newton's reputation as a natural theologian. While it is recognized as important, the extent to which it specifically influences his reputation is debated. Some scholars, like Scott Mandelbrote, argue that many readers misunderstood or deliberately misinterpreted Newton's intentions in the General Scholium.
What was the impact of Newton's correspondence with Bentley on the understanding of his work?
-Newton's correspondence with Bentley became publicly available in 1756 and significantly influenced the understanding of his work. It provided insights into Newton's thoughts on the lawful nature of the universe and his theological views, which helped to clarify and shape the interpretation of his scientific and philosophical writings.
How did Voltaire interpret Newton's General Scholium?
-Voltaire interpreted Newton's General Scholium as a renewal of Gassendism, presenting Newton as the new Gassendi. He saw Newton's work as an effective response to philosophical atheism, not because of new ideas about God, but because Newton had revived and Christianized atomist natural philosophy.
What was the controversy surrounding Newton's views on God and the natural world?
-The controversy surrounding Newton's views on God and the natural world centered on interpretations of his General Scholium and other writings. Some critics saw Newton as a Spinosist or materialist, suggesting that he presented a view of nature where God was indistinguishable from creation, which was contrary to Newton's actual views.
What is the significance of the verse Acts 17:27-28 in the context of the General Scholium?
-The verse Acts 17:27-28 is significant in the context of the General Scholium because it was used by Newton to describe the relationship between God and creation. It has been a focal point for many readers and interpreters of the General Scholium, who often used it to support various theological arguments.
How did the Hutchinsonians view Newton's General Scholium?
-The Hutchinsonians, particularly John Hutchinson, viewed Newton's General Scholium as problematic. Hutchinson believed that Arabic scholarship had distorted understandings of the Hebrew Bible, and he saw Newton's ideas as essentially materialistic, which he opposed. He also noted a connection between the General Scholium and the Scholium to the Definitions, which he interpreted differently.
What are some of the modern scholarly themes that were present in the 18th-century reception of the General Scholium?
-Some modern scholarly themes that were present in the 18th-century reception of the General Scholium include the debate over Newton's theological views, the influence of the Optics on interpretations of Newton's ideas, and the controversy over whether Newton's views on God were heterodox or even heretical. These themes continue to be relevant in contemporary scholarship on Newton.
Outlines
📚 Introduction to Scott Mandelbrote and His Contributions
The session begins with an introduction by Dimitri, who apologizes for the frequent hearing of his voice. He introduces Scott Mandelbrote, a renowned scholar from Peterhouse College, Cambridge, known for his extensive work on Isaac Newton's scholarship. Dimitri praises Scott's contributions to Newtonian studies, including his work on Newton's biblical and patristic scholarship and his role in editing a vast collection on Newton's reception. Scott is also a co-organizer of the Newton Project, which has been invaluable to scholars.
🧩 Scott Mandelbrote Begins His Talk
Scott Mandelbrote begins his talk by humorously downplaying Dimitri's introduction and mentioning his reluctance to tackle the topic given to him. He explains his initial hesitation due to the broad scope of the topic but decided to narrow it down. Scott aims to deliver an iconoclastic take on Newton's importance to 18th-century natural theology, questioning the extent to which Newton's 'General Scholium' contributed to his reputation as a natural theologian.
🔍 Misinterpretations of Newton's General Scholium
Scott explores the common misinterpretations of Newton's 'General Scholium,' noting that readers often misunderstood or deliberately misrepresented Newton's views. He highlights that many attributed ideas to Newton that he explicitly opposed, influenced by other texts and broader debates of the time. Scott argues that the majority of interpretations were shaped by preconceptions rather than careful reading of the 'General Scholium' itself.
📜 Contextual Influences on the Reception of the General Scholium
Scott delves into the historical and contextual factors that influenced the reception of Newton's 'General Scholium,' including the Newton-Leibniz controversy and Samuel Clarke's 'Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity.' He also touches upon the planned but unpublished 'Two Notable Corruptions of Scripture' and its potential impact on how Newton was perceived, particularly regarding his anti-Trinitarian views.
🌍 Early Translations and Misunderstandings
Scott discusses the early translations and interpretations of the 'General Scholium,' focusing on John Maxwell's 1715 translation, which aimed to make Newton's ideas accessible to non-Latin readers. Maxwell's work, although insightful, contributed to the misinterpretation of Newton's views, often framing him as an opponent of atheism and a proponent of a particular metaphysical stance that Newton himself did not endorse.
🧠 Voltaire's Interpretation and Its Impact
Scott examines Voltaire's interpretation of Newton's metaphysics in his 1740 publication, where he portrayed Newton as a renewer of Gassendi's atomism, positioning him against philosophical atheism. Voltaire's view, although influential, was based on a misreading that aligned Newton with atomist natural philosophy rather than his actual intentions.
⚖️ Criticisms and Misunderstandings in the 18th Century
Scott outlines various criticisms and misunderstandings of Newton's 'General Scholium' by 18th-century scholars. These included concerns about Newton's views on God's omnipresence and the relationship between God and creation. Critics like Christian Wolff and Emmanuel Kant raised doubts about Newton's metaphysical claims, often linking him to Spinoza's pantheism, which Newton explicitly rejected.
📖 Hutchinsonians and Their Critique of Newton
Scott discusses the Hutchinsonians, a group critical of Newton, particularly focusing on John Hutchinson's Treatise. Hutchinson criticized Newton for allegedly deriving his ideas from Arabic sources and distorting the Hebrew Bible. Despite Hutchinson's own misunderstandings, his critiques contributed to the broader debate on Newton's metaphysical and theological positions.
🧐 Analysis of Specific Textual Misreadings
Scott provides a detailed analysis of specific textual misreadings of Newton's 'General Scholium,' particularly focusing on Acts 17:27-28. He argues that this verse was commonly cited because it was seen as the least controversial and could be easily aligned with various interpretations of Newton's metaphysics. Scott emphasizes how this selective reading influenced subsequent theological debates.
🏆 Conclusion and Final Reflections
Scott concludes by summarizing the key points of his talk, reiterating the widespread misinterpretations of Newton's 'General Scholium.' He acknowledges the complexity of Newton's theological reception and the importance of examining these historical misreadings to understand the broader impact of Newton's work. The session ends with Scott opening the floor for questions, leading to further discussions on the nuances of his arguments.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Newton's General Scholium
💡Natural Theology
💡Metaphysics
💡Newtonianism
💡Opticks
💡Sammelbuch
💡Newton's Correspondence with Bentley
💡Hutchinsonians
💡Deism
💡Spinozism
Highlights
Introduction of Scott Mandelbrote as a significant contributor to Newton's scholarship with a focus on his work as a patristic and Biblical scholar.
Mandelbrote's influence on the perception of Newton's work, particularly his correspondence with Thomas Burnett, and its impact on the field of history.
The role of Scott as an editor of a vast collection on the reception of Newton and his co-organization of a Newton project, highly valued by the academic community.
Scott's discussion on Newton's General Scholium in the context of 17th and 18th-century religion, and its significance in natural theology.
The evolution of the concept of natural theology in the 17th century and its transformation during Newton's lifetime.
The argument about the lawfulness of the universe and its implications for understanding God, associated with both Newton and Richard Bentley.
Mandelbrote's assertion that many readers of the General Scholium misunderstood Newton's intentions and presented him as the opposite of what he actually was.
The exploration of the reception of the General Scholium and the potential reasons behind the widespread misunderstanding of Newton's views.
Analysis of the early reception of the Principia, particularly the influence of Leibniz, Bernoulli, and their circle on Newton's ideas about God.
The significance of the publication of Samuel Clark's 'Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity' in shaping the perception of Newton's religious views.
The potential influence of Newton's unpublished letters on the 'Two Notable Corruptions of Scripture' on the reception of the General Scholium.
John Maxwell's discourse on God, a translation and interpretation of the General Scholium, and its implications for understanding Newton's views.
The critique of Newton's theology by figures such as William Warburton and Alexander Pope, and their influence on the perception of Newton's religious ideas.
Voltaire's interpretation of Newton as a modern Gasendi, a renewal of atomist natural philosophy, and its reception by German theologians and metaphysicians.
The Hutchinsonian perspective on Newton's work, particularly John Hutchinson's critique of Newton's understanding of the Hebrew Bible and its impact on natural philosophy.
The shift in the understanding of Newton's natural theology in the late 18th century, with figures like Richard Price and Lord Kames expressing doubts about his ideas.
The argument that many 18th-century readers may have been influenced more by the Optics and the theological discourse of the time rather than a direct reading of the General Scholium.
The closing remarks on the diverse and sometimes critical reception of Newton's ideas throughout the 18th century, highlighting the complexity of his influence on natural theology.
Transcripts
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