Patricia Fara on Newton, Scientific Progress, and the Benefits of Unhistoric Acts

Feb 24, 2021

Patricia Fara, a Cambridge University historian of science, delves into the life of Isaac Newton beyond the apple tree myth, highlighting his role at The Royal Mint and productivity during the Great Plague. She examines the gradual nature of the Scientific Revolution and the ancient Antikythera device's significance. Fara also discusses the vital contributions of women in science, shares insights from her startup experience, and argues for integrated education that blends art with science to enhance learning.

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ANECDOTE

The Noisy Mint

The Royal Mint was located within the Tower of London, near the river and parliament, ideal for receiving gold and interacting with authorities.
Newton found the Mint's location noisy due to the zoo, machinery, and soldiers, so he worked from home.

insights

INSIGHT

Newton's Alchemy

Newton's alchemy studies weren't craziness, but serious pursuits exploring change in the natural world, influencing his physics theories.
His alchemical beliefs informed his view of a dynamic universe, with God's presence and influence.

insights

INSIGHT

Newton's Ether

Newton's concept of ether as a medium for gravity, presented in his "Optics" queries, was a serious scientific idea, not craziness.
The ether theory persisted among scientists until Einstein's relativity theory in 1905.

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Exploring Science Through Caricatures

Zoonomia is a comprehensive two-volume medical work by Erasmus Darwin, published in 1794-1796. It delves into topics such as pathology, anatomy, psychology, and the functioning of the body, with early ideas on evolution. The book is notable for its poetic style and philosophical musings, laying groundwork for future discussions on evolution and the interconnectedness of life.

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Principles of Geology

Charles Lyell

Charles Lyell's 'Principles of Geology' is a seminal work published in three volumes from 1830 to 1833. It presents a comprehensive overview of geological processes, emphasizing uniformitarianism as a method to understand Earth's history by referencing current processes. This theory significantly influenced Charles Darwin and laid the groundwork for modern geological thought by distancing geology from biblical interpretations and promoting a scientific approach.

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Entangled Life

How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds and Shape Our Futures

Merlin Sheldrake

In 'Entangled Life,' Merlin Sheldrake delves into the fascinating world of fungi, discussing their roles in decomposition, fermentation, nutrient distribution, and the production of psilocybin. The book examines how fungi interact with plants and animals, including their ability to manipulate insect behavior and form vast underground networks known as the 'Wood Wide Web.' Sheldrake also explores the historical and modern uses of fungi, from food and medicine to their potential in environmental remediation. The book is both a scientific exploration and a personal account, challenging traditional concepts of intelligence and individuality and offering a new perspective on the interconnectedness of life.

The Optics

Isaac Newton

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The Structure of Scientific Revolutions

Thomas Kuhn

In 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions', Thomas S. Kuhn argues that scientific progress does not occur through a gradual accumulation of facts, but rather through periodic revolutions that disrupt existing paradigms. Kuhn introduces the concept of 'normal science' and 'revolutionary science', where normal science involves puzzle-solving within an established paradigm, and revolutionary science involves a paradigm shift that fundamentally changes the way scientists view the world. He explains that these revolutions are driven by the accumulation of anomalies that cannot be explained by the current paradigm, leading to a crisis and eventually a new paradigm that offers a different perspective and new ways of conducting research.

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Life after Gravity

Patricia Fara

This book delves into Isaac Newton's decades in London, a period often overlooked in standard biographies. It portrays Newton as a different figure from the reclusive academic, instead showing him as an ambitious cosmopolitan gentleman. Fara details Newton's involvement in the Royal Mint, the Royal Society, and his participation in fashionable London society. The book also addresses Newton's awareness of and connection to the slave trade, which was integral to Britain's economic prosperity during that time. Fara aims to provide a more realistic image of Newton, one that is both unique and a product of his times.

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Middlemarch

George Eliot

Middlemarch, written by George Eliot, is a novel that delves into the complexities of provincial life in 19th-century England. The story revolves around the intersecting lives of its characters, particularly Dorothea Brooke and Dr. Tertius Lydgate, as they navigate marriage, vocation, and social class. Eliot critiques the conventional romance narratives of her time by portraying marriage as a complex and often problematic institution. The novel also explores themes of idealism, self-interest, hypocrisy, and the constraints on women's lives. Set in the fictional town of Middlemarch between 1829 and 1832, the novel incorporates historical events such as the Great Reform Act of 1832 and early developments in medicine. Eliot's realistic portrayal of ordinary human life, with its quiet tragedies and small triumphs, has made 'Middlemarch' a masterpiece of English literature.

Patricia Fara is a historian of science at Cambridge University and well-known for her writings on women in science. Her forthcoming book, Life After Gravity: Isaac Newton's London Career, details the life of the titan of the so-called Scientific Revolution after his famous (though perhaps mythological) discovery under the apple tree. Her work emphasizes science as a long, continuous process composed of incremental contributions–in which women throughout history have taken a crucial part–rather than the sole province of a few monolithic innovators.

Patricia joined Tyler to discuss why Newton left Cambridge to run The Royal Mint, why he was so productive during the Great Plague, why the "Scientific Revolution" should instead be understood as a gradual process, what the Antikythera device tells us about science in the ancient world, the influence of Erasmus Darwin on his grandson, why more people should know Dorothy Hodgkin, how George Eliot inspired her to commit unhistoric acts, why she opposes any kind of sex-segregated schooling, her early experience in a startup, what modern students of science can learn from studying Renaissance art, the reasons she considers Madame Lavoisier to be the greatest female science illustrator, the unusual work habit brought to her attention by house guests, the book of caricatures she'd like to write next, and more.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video.

Recorded January 15th, 2021 Other ways to connect

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