Newton on the Beach: Principia Mathematica

Simon Schaffer, a professor of history of science at Cambridge, is introduced as a highly respected historian of science. His notable work, 'Leviathan and the Air-Pump,' co-authored with Steven Shapin, is highlighted for its significant contribution to the social and cultural approach to the history of science. The book provides a social and political analysis of the rise of experimental science, focusing on Robert Boyle's experiments with the air pump and the political challenges of the Restoration in England. Schaffer's work has been influential, earning him and Shapin the Dutch Erasmus Prize in 2005. Schaffer's academic interests also extend to the history of Newtonian astronomy, experimental instrumentation, and the role of scientific instruments in naval pursuits, among others.

The speaker delves into Schaffer's work on Newton's prism experiments, which challenged the perceived self-evidence of Newton's discoveries. The paper 'Glassworks, Newton's Prisms and the Uses of Experiment' is mentioned as a key contribution to the contextual approach to the history of experiments. The speaker also discusses the broader implications of Newton's work and his individuality, touching upon the iconic imagery associated with Newton as a solitary figure, which is contrasted with the collaborative and global nature of knowledge accumulation during his time.

The discussion shifts to Newton's 'Principia Mathematica,' emphasizing its global reach and the reliance on a wide range of observations from across the Atlantic. The speaker describes how Newton used data from various sources, including the Royal Africa Company and the company into Senegal, to inform his work on tides, comets, and pendulum lengths. This reliance on global information networks challenges the traditional view of Newton as a solitary figure, presenting him instead as a central figure in a vast, collaborative knowledge-gathering effort.

The speaker focuses on Newton's work with tidal data, highlighting the challenges of assessing the reliability of various observers. Samuel Sturmy, a mariner from Plymouth, is mentioned as a key informant for Newton's tidal studies. The speaker discusses how Newton had to navigate issues of trustworthiness and accuracy in the data he received, which came from a variety of sources, including those with questionable credibility.

The concept of the 'information order' is introduced, describing the decentralized and overlapping knowledge communities in early modern societies. The speaker discusses the role of information brokers like Bacon, Mersenne, and Oldenburg in facilitating the exchange of knowledge. The speaker also touches upon the iconography of global networks and the self-conscious representation of information and commercial orders in early modern societies.

The Atlantic triangle, a system of trade and knowledge exchange, is presented as a significant factor in the development of Newton's 'Principia Mathematica.' The speaker argues that Newton's work must be understood within the context of this global information order, which included the circulation of commodities and knowledge. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of considering the perspectives of those who were part of these networks, such as Salomon Urban Juggler, a translator and agent for Newton and Hans Sloane.

The speaker discusses the process by which Newton and his editors assessed the credibility of the data used in the 'Principia Mathematica.' This involved evaluating the sources of the data, the methods of observation, and the fit with Newton's theoretical models. The speaker highlights the active role Newton played in gathering data and the challenges he faced in determining the reliability of various informants.

The speaker concludes by connecting Newton's work on the 'Principia Mathematica' to his spiritual writings, suggesting that Newton's scientific endeavors were part of a broader quest for understanding. The speaker presents a quote from Newton's writings that reflects his vision of heaven and the freedom of beings to move throughout the universe, drawing a parallel to the global scope of the 'Principia Mathematica' and its integration of diverse knowledge sources.

In response to a question, the speaker explores the origins of the famous misattributed quote about Newton being like a boy playing on the seashore. The speaker traces the evolution of the quote and its attribution to Newton, discussing how it has been altered and perpetuated over time, and reflecting on the significance of this misattribution in the context of Newton's legacy.

The speaker addresses questions about the social context of the 'Principia Mathematica,' discussing how the work should be understood as part of a larger project that includes the analysis of data and the development of theoretical principles. The speaker emphasizes the importance of considering the concurrent development of Newton's ideas and the accumulation of data, as well as the historiographical implications of this approach.

The speaker delves into the criteria Newton used to determine the creditworthiness of informants and the acceptability of the data they provided. The speaker discusses the importance of provenance, the active recruitment of data by Newton, and the lack of a concept of error in his analysis. The speaker also highlights the need for a reasoned history of the notion of agreement in early modern sciences, pointing to the ongoing work of scholars in this area.