What is the reason for calling Newton a genius?

[dodecahedron]

Hi all, I have a question concerning the history of science.

You can hear everywhere that Newton is - together with Einstein - one of the greatest scientific geniuses, one of the greatest physicists, etc. pp. But what exactly is the reason for calling him a genius?

After having read a lot on Newton, I now think that
1. The inverse-square law was found by others before Newton, and he himself learned it from Hooke (1679 letter). So you can't credit him for this idea.
2. His calculus was rather useless, because he didn't use it in the "Principia" and published it after Leibniz, whose notation became much more influential. It is unknown if and to what extent Newton used his Calculus to work out his theory, but the former assumption that he first wrote his work in "fluxional form" is said to have been "laid to rest by D.T. Whiteside" (I haven't read what Whiteside says about it, though).
3. There seem to be many errors and miscalculations in the Principia, for example concering the use of hydrodynamics in shipbuilding.
4. The idea of impetus was developed before Newton, for example by Jean Buridan.
5. Without the inverse-square law of gravitation, there isn't much original or ingenious about the Principia. I don't see any idea that could be called as original as Einstein's idea of time dilation.
6. He couldn't solve the three-body-problem.
7. The famous equation F = ma was invented by Euler and cannot be found anywhere in Newton's work.
8. Much of what is called "Newtonian science" was achieved on the continent during the 18th and 19th centuries.Sure, the Principia involves many calculations which were surely very difficult to do. But who says somebody else in his time couldn't have done it? The argument that no one did it before seems weak to me because it first took the idea of inverse-square gravity, which is Hooke's idea and not Newton's. So he now seems to me rather as a sort of "mathematical labourer" instead of being a great scientific genius.

I would like to hear what you think about it, and if I am wrong at any of these observations.

Thank you very much,
dodecahedron

 

[Bob S]

What original ideas (if any) did Newton contribute to solving the brachistochrone problem in 1696? See http://mathworld.wolfram.com/BrachistochroneProblem.html

 

[Whovian]

1. True.

2. He did co-discover it, though.

3. True, but a necessary consequence of not having a well-developed system of algebra at the time.

4. True.

5. He was actually one of the first to think of the heavens and the Earth as following the same laws, which was rather radical at the time. Not as original as Einstein, but perhaps as crazy in their days' standards.

6. I don't think anyone can.

7. Correct.

8. Correct.

So, basically, what I'm saying here is he had the courage to speak against the belief that the heavens and the Earth were fully separate realms.

 

[D H]

Hi all, I have a question concerning the history of science.

You can hear everywhere that Newton is - together with Einstein - one of the greatest scientific geniuses, one of the greatest physicists, etc. pp. But what exactly is the reason for calling him a genius?

Because he was.

Your list is one piece of baloney atop another.

Thread closed.

 

[PJC01]

I can understand your skepticism and critical analysis of Newton's achievements. However, it is important to recognize that Newton's contributions to science were groundbreaking and revolutionary in their time. Here are some reasons why Newton is considered a genius:

1. Newton's synthesis of ideas: While it is true that the inverse-square law was known before Newton, he was the first to combine it with the laws of motion and develop a comprehensive theory of gravitation. His ability to bring together seemingly unrelated concepts and create a unified theory is what sets him apart.

2. Mathematical rigor: Newton's use of mathematics to describe and explain natural phenomena was a major leap forward in scientific thinking. He developed the branch of mathematics known as calculus, which has been essential in many areas of science, including physics and engineering.

3. Experimental approach: Newton was not just a theorist, but also an experimentalist. He conducted numerous experiments to test his theories and collected data to support his ideas. This approach was not common in his time, and it helped to solidify his theories and make them more credible.

4. Influence on future scientists: Newton's ideas and methods had a significant impact on future scientists and their work. His laws of motion and theory of gravitation have been used as a foundation for many scientific advancements, including Einstein's theory of relativity.

5. Diverse contributions: While Newton is best known for his work in physics, he also made significant contributions to mathematics, optics, and astronomy. His diverse range of interests and expertise is a testament to his genius.

In conclusion, while it is true that some of Newton's ideas were not entirely original, it was his ability to synthesize and apply them in a revolutionary way that makes him a genius. His contributions to science have stood the test of time and continue to influence our understanding of the natural world.