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Freiheit und Wissenschaft sind zwei Begriffe, die konstitutiv sind für das moderne Selbstverständnis. Betrachtet man die europäische Wissenschaftsgeschichte, so wird deutlich, dass Freiheit und Wissenschaft innig zusammenhängen: Wissenschaft braucht Freiheit, und Freiheit wurde und wird mithilfe der Wissenschaft zu erlangen versucht. Doch ist diese...
The earliest surviving trigonometric tables used to compute numerical values for geometrical magnitudes occur in Ptolemy’s Almagest (composed in the 2nd century AD). Current historical evidence cannot fix with precision the exact origins of such trigonometric tables. However, it seems likely that the Greek astronomer Hipparchos of Nicaea (2nd Centu...
The object of investigation so far has been Aristotle’s theory of inert matter in motion, and therefore, the emphasis has been on the dynamical relationships between active locomotion, force and resistive effects that become manifest only in the presence of active motion. However, the basic dynamical principles between force, motion, and load can a...
As we already saw, in Physics VII.5 Aristotle explains that if effective mover A moves mobile B over distance C in time D, then half of A (call it E) moves half of B (call it Z) over distance C in time D. The same E (½A) will move two Z loads (each being ½B), over half the distance C in time D.
Weight, for Aristotle, is inextricably bound with matter and motion in a way that goes to the very core of his concepts of nature (physis), the student of nature (physicist), and the accompanying body of knowledge, namely, physics.
Most modern scholars see Simplicius’s account as the earliest documentation of the theory of in-body impetus, which, in the Middle Ages gained ascendency over Aristotle’s medium dynamics of motion.
The basic aspect of the relationship between mover, load, distance traveled, and time of travel, is in Physics, VII.v. While the text introduces the relationship by way of particular examples, its generalized linear mathematical proportionality is unmistakable
This book presents a recasting of Aristotle’s theory of spatial displacement of inanimate objects. Aristotle’s claim that projectiles are actively carried by the media through which they move (such as air or water) is well known and has drawn the attention of commentators from ancient to modern times. What is lacking, however, is a systematic inves...
In his book titled Electrical Papers, Heaviside brought together his main writings on circuit theory and the inductive properties of wires, and his thoughts on electromagnetism. The Electrical Papers offers an advanced exposition, as well as many novel contributions to two basic themes: the theory of electromagnetic field dynamics because of Maxwel...
Argument
The past five years have seen revisions of what had been regarded as the single definitive reconstruction of Eudoxus’ homocentric sphere theory. Crucial to these revisions, which present alternative constructions for the moon (Mendell 1998a, 1998b) and the five planets (Yavetz 1998), is a careful assessment of Simplicius’ testimony regardi...
The geometry of the alternative reconstruction of Eudoxan planetary theory is studied. It is shown that in this framework
the hippopede acquires an analytical role, consolidating the theorys geometrical underpinnings. This removes the main point
of incompatibility between the alternative reconstruction and Simpliciuss account of Eudoxan planetary a...
In 1877, Schiaparelli published a classic essay on the homocentric spheres of Eudoxus, which became the standard, definitive historical reconstruction of Eudoxian planetary theory. The purpose of the present paper is to show that the two texts on which Schiaparelli based his reconstruction do not lead in an unequivocal way to this interpretation, a...
This work traces Oliver Heaviside’s electromagnetic investigations from the publication of his first electrical paper in 1872
to the public recognition awarded to him by Lord Kelvin in 1889. By 1891, following Kelvin’s unqualified praise, Heaviside
became established as a leading authority on electrical matters, particularly on the electromagnetic...
In 1892 Heaviside wrote the following comment in accompaniment to the publication of his Electrical Papers: But in the year 1887 I came, for a time. to a dead stop, exactly when I came to making practical applications in detail of
my theory, with novel conclusions of considerable practical significance relating to long-distance telephony (previsous...
In 1872 Oliver Heaviside embarked on what turned into a fascinating career of scientific publication. It was to last until
the early years of the twentieth century. The beginning, however, seems to have been quite humble. The papers he published
between 1872 and 1881 bear little, if any, indication of the radical revision of telegraph and telephone...
In his analysis of signal propagation in telegraph cables Heaviside demonstrated a masterful ability to manipulate the mathematics
of partial differential equations. Maxwell’s theory, to which he turned his full attention at this point, carried overtones
of Hamilton’s powerful, if somewhat abstruse, algebra of quaternions. Having read Heaviside’ ea...
In the defining framework for this volume, we read that, “toward the close of the twentieth century, technological pessimism and post-modern sensibilities appear related as elements of late counter-enlightenment cultural trends.” This creates a powerful image of centuries in conflict, and depicts late twentieth-century technological pessimism as fu...
Between 1886 and 1889, the British scientific and engineering communities witnessed several controversies regarding the principles underlying certain components of electrical circuits. The purpose of this paper is to show that these controversies should be regarded as reflecting a stage in the emergence of basic industrial research as a mediating a...
