Article ID: CBB389180363

Early Modern Mathematics in a Letter: Adriaen Verwer to David Gregory on Mathematics and Natural Philosophy (2017)

unapi

This paper argues that the Dutch Menonnite merchant Adriaen Verwer (1654-1717) found an example of a new mathematical method in Newton’s Principia that enabled him to counter mathematical philosophical arguments of Spinoza. The argument is based partly on a hitherto unpublished letter that Verwer wrote to the Scottish Newtonian mathematician David Gregory (1659-1708) and that is edited in the appendix. This letter sheds light on the idea of ‘usefulness’ of the Principia’s mathematical philosophy, as experienced by a Dutch group of Newtonian popularisers. The group, including Verwer, used Newton to vindicate the mathematical method from Spinozist rationalism. The argument also draws on Verwer’s own publications, his further correspondence with Gregory and his annotations in the first edition of Newton’s Principia.

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Authors & Contributors
Anfray, Jean-Pascal
Alves Diniz, Marcio
Palomo, Miguel
Casini, Paolo
Charlotte Wahl
Berns, Andrew
Concepts
Natural philosophy
Correspondence and corresponding
Mathematics
Science and religion
Newtonianism
Philosophy
Time Periods
17th century
18th century
16th century
Early modern
19th century
Places
Italy
Europe
England
Scotland
Netherlands
Great Britain
Institutions
Royal Society of London
Jesuits (Society of Jesus)
Académie des Sciences, Paris
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