Jean Antoine Nollet's contributions to the institutionalization of physics during the 18th century

Cibelle Celestino Silva

pp. 131-140

in: Décio Krause, Antonio A. Passos Videira (eds), Brazilian studies in philosophy and history of science, Berlin, Springer, 2011

Abstract

It is a commonplace to regard eighteenth century as the triumph of the Newtonian scientific program. However, in the past few years, historians of science have increasingly acknowledged that eighteenth-century science cannot be resumed as the age of Newtonianism. In the case of experimental physics, assuming that Newton's world views prevailed throughout the eighteenth century is a naïve historiographic interpretation. At this period, different areas of science were not clearly defined and well developed in the same extension. One cannot deny the influence of Newtonian studies on optics and word view on celestial mechanics studies all over the Europe, however, in order to develop a broader apprehension of modern science development it is necessary to look upon other realms and avoid focusing too intently upon Newtonian celestial mechanics.