The Uses of Science in the Age of Newton

The Uses of Science in the Age of Newton edited by John G. Burke explores the relationship between knowledge, utility, and society in seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century England, challenging the assumption that science developed in isolation from political, religious, and practical concerns. The volume engages with the "new contextualist" arguments of Margaret and James Jacob and others who claim that natural philosophy, particularly Newtonianism, was deeply intertwined with Whig politics, Anglican theology, and broader social interests. The essays address this problem from multiple vantage points, including poets' responses to Copernican astronomy, the Royal Society's Baconian histories of trades, the revolution in instrumentation, Robert Hooke's successes and failures in applying theory to technology, early studies of gunnery and ballistics, the centuries-long challenge of solving longitude, and the politics of Newtonianism across Whig and Tory divides. The contributors show both the promise and the limits of contextualist explanations, while technical innovation, methodological reform, and the drive for knowledge itself were equally decisive in shaping outcomes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 27 May 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

The Uses of Science in the Age of Newton, edited by John G. Burke, brings together leading historians of science to examine the contested relationship between knowledge, utility, and society in seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century England. Moving beyond the older assumption that science developed in isolation from political, religious, and practical concerns, the volume engages with the "new contextualist" arguments of Margaret and James Jacob and others who claim that natural philosophy—Newtonianism above all—was deeply intertwined with Whig politics, Anglican theology, and broader social interests. At stake is whether science in the Newtonian age can be understood primarily as the disinterested pursuit of truth or whether it must be analyzed as a body of knowledge shaped by and deployed for social and ideological purposes.

The essays address this problem from multiple vantage points: poets' responses to Copernican astronomy; the Royal Society's Baconian histories of trades; the revolution in instrumentation from microscopes to precision clocks; Robert Hooke's successes and failures in applying theory to technology; early studies of gunnery and ballistics; the centuries-long challenge of solving longitude; and the politics of Newtonianism across Whig and Tory divides. Collectively, the contributors show both the promise and the limits of contextualist explanations. While ideological and social pressures clearly influenced the reception and institutionalization of science, technical innovation, methodological reform, and the drive for knowledge itself were equally decisive in shaping outcomes. Rich in case studies and historiographical debate, The Uses of Science in the Age of Newton provides a nuanced account of how science functioned within the fabric of early modern society.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of science in shaping the political landscape of the time. The Royal Society, for example, was founded in 1660 with the explicit goal of promoting scientific knowledge and advancing the interests of the English state. The Society's Baconian histories of trades, which sought to document the origins and development of various industries, were intended to provide a basis for government policy and regulation. However, the Society's members were also deeply involved in Whig politics, and their histories were often used to justify the policies of the Whig government.

Another important theme of the book is the relationship between science and religion. While the Royal Society was officially secular, many of its members were religious, and their beliefs influenced their scientific work. For example, Isaac Newton, who is widely regarded as the father of modern physics, was a devout Christian who believed that God had created the universe and that science was a way of discovering His laws. This belief had a significant impact on his work, and it led to the development of the Newtonian system of mechanics, which is still used today.

However, the relationship between science and religion was not always harmonious. Some religious leaders, such as the Catholic Church, were skeptical of science and its claims, and they often opposed the development of scientific knowledge. This led to a period of conflict known as the Scientific Revolution, which lasted from the mid-17th century to the mid-18th century. During this period, scientists such as Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler challenged the traditional beliefs of the Catholic Church and developed new theories that challenged the authority of the Bible.

Despite these challenges, science continued to grow and develop in the Newtonian age. The invention of the microscope in the 17th century allowed scientists to observe the microscopic world for the first time, and this led to a revolution in biology and medicine. The invention of the clock in the 18th century allowed scientists to measure time more accurately, and this led to the development of the scientific method. The development of the steam engine in the 19th century allowed scientists to harness the power of steam to drive machinery, and this led to the Industrial Revolution.

However, science also had its negative consequences. The development of nuclear weapons in the 20th century led to the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and it has since been used as a tool of war and terrorism. The development of genetically modified organisms has raised concerns about the safety of food and the environment, and it has led to a debate about the ethics of scientific research.

In conclusion, The Uses of Science in the Age of Newton provides a comprehensive and nuanced account of the relationship between knowledge, utility, and society in seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century England. The book engages with the "new contextualist" arguments of Margaret and James Jacob and others and shows that science was deeply intertwined with Whig politics, Anglican theology, and broader social interests. While science had its positive consequences, it also had its negative consequences, and it is important to continue to evaluate the impact of science on society.

Weight: 499g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520362703