Calculus Wars: Newton vs Leibnitz

  • Thread starter DiracPool
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Newton
In summary: I don't think it's plausible that Leibnitz just stumbled onto these concepts and then started writing about them.
  • #36
DiracPool said:
I thought we knew Newton was born in 1642, the year Galileo died. Is that contested?
No date of birth, 25th of December 1642 and 04th of January 1643. Due to Christmas it is officially given DOB of Newton is 25th of December,Year 1642.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #37
DiracPool said:
I want to state this here in Physics Forums for the record and have this quote petrified in history as what I, DiracPool, personally thinks, and here it is..."if I have seen further, then it is because I have stood taller than others." Thank you everyone.

...by standing on stilts."

and since all this discussion is kept on hard drives somewhere in the world remember:

"On a clear disk, you can seek forever..."
 
  • #38
...by standing on stilts."

Shaky stilts at that.:confused:
 
  • #39
DiracPool said:
Hmm..interesting. But, my god, to know that an ocean existed and not make that several mile trek to see it in 80 years?

You don't seem to understand the culture of Newton's time. "Nature" was generally considered to be something yucky and horrible that you avoided as much as poissible, unless you were a peasant and didn't have any option.

Actually, Newton's father was a "peasant" in that sense. He owned a farm, but he was illiterate. His father died three months before Isaac was born. His mother moved up from being a "peasant" by her second marriage to a clergyman - otherwise Isaac would probably have become another illiterate farmer.

The next stage was considering "nature" as something that you could improve on rather that look at in its natural yucky state, but http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lancelot_"Capability"_Brown was later than Newton.

If you read "Principia" you will find that Newton was well aware of the different behaviours of ocean tides along coastlines all over the planet, but he didn't have to actually go there see for himself.
 
Last edited:
  • #40
otherwise Isaac would probably have become another illiterate farmer.

This could be a whole "nother" thread of itself. Do you really think circumstance dictates destiny. I would argue the counter, people like Newton, Einstein, and Galileo are cursed to see their visions through, these are obligations brought upon great men who are typically reluctant to be great. That is the truth.
 
<h2>1. What is the significance of "Calculus Wars: Newton vs Leibnitz" in the history of mathematics?</h2><p>"Calculus Wars: Newton vs Leibnitz" refers to the heated dispute between Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz over who truly invented calculus. This debate had a significant impact on the development of mathematics and the understanding of calculus as a fundamental tool in modern science and engineering.</p><h2>2. Who is credited as the true inventor of calculus?</h2><p>Both Newton and Leibniz are credited as the inventors of calculus. However, Newton developed his ideas first and published them in his work "Principia Mathematica" in 1687, while Leibniz published his ideas in 1684. Due to this timing, Newton is often considered the primary inventor of calculus.</p><h2>3. What were the main differences in Newton and Leibniz's approaches to calculus?</h2><p>Newton's approach to calculus was based on his theory of fluxions, which involved the use of infinitesimals. Leibniz, on the other hand, used his own notation of differentials and integrals. While their approaches were different, they both arrived at the same fundamental principles of calculus.</p><h2>4. Did Newton and Leibniz ever resolve their dispute?</h2><p>No, the dispute between Newton and Leibniz was never fully resolved. The two continued to argue over the invention of calculus until their deaths. However, in the 18th century, the Royal Society of London declared Newton as the true inventor of calculus, which further fueled the rivalry between the two.</p><h2>5. How did the "Calculus Wars" impact the development of mathematics?</h2><p>The "Calculus Wars" had a significant impact on the development of mathematics. It led to the rise of calculus as a fundamental tool in science and engineering, as well as the development of new mathematical notations and methods. It also sparked debates and discussions about the nature of mathematical discovery and the importance of giving credit to the original inventors of ideas.</p>

1. What is the significance of "Calculus Wars: Newton vs Leibnitz" in the history of mathematics?

"Calculus Wars: Newton vs Leibnitz" refers to the heated dispute between Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz over who truly invented calculus. This debate had a significant impact on the development of mathematics and the understanding of calculus as a fundamental tool in modern science and engineering.

2. Who is credited as the true inventor of calculus?

Both Newton and Leibniz are credited as the inventors of calculus. However, Newton developed his ideas first and published them in his work "Principia Mathematica" in 1687, while Leibniz published his ideas in 1684. Due to this timing, Newton is often considered the primary inventor of calculus.

3. What were the main differences in Newton and Leibniz's approaches to calculus?

Newton's approach to calculus was based on his theory of fluxions, which involved the use of infinitesimals. Leibniz, on the other hand, used his own notation of differentials and integrals. While their approaches were different, they both arrived at the same fundamental principles of calculus.

4. Did Newton and Leibniz ever resolve their dispute?

No, the dispute between Newton and Leibniz was never fully resolved. The two continued to argue over the invention of calculus until their deaths. However, in the 18th century, the Royal Society of London declared Newton as the true inventor of calculus, which further fueled the rivalry between the two.

5. How did the "Calculus Wars" impact the development of mathematics?

The "Calculus Wars" had a significant impact on the development of mathematics. It led to the rise of calculus as a fundamental tool in science and engineering, as well as the development of new mathematical notations and methods. It also sparked debates and discussions about the nature of mathematical discovery and the importance of giving credit to the original inventors of ideas.

Similar threads

Replies
25
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
66
Views
8K
  • General Discussion
Replies
25
Views
37K
Replies
20
Views
5K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • Art, Music, History, and Linguistics
Replies
1
Views
1K
Back
Top