Preface
Acknowledgements
1: An Introduction to Newton's Scientific Method
2: Newton's Phenomena
3: Inferences from Phenomena (Propositions 1 and 2 Book 3)
4: Unification and the Moon-Test (Propositions 3 and 4 Book 3)
5: Christiaan Huygens: A great Natural Philosopher who measured
gravity and an illuminating foil for Newton on method
6: Unification and the Moon-test: Critical Assessment
7: Generalization by Induction (Propositions 5 and 6 Book 3)
8: Gravity as a Universal Force of Interaction (Propositions 7- 13
Book 3)
9: Beyond Hypotheses: Newton's Methodology vs.
Hypothetico-Deductive Methodology
10: Newton's Methodology and the Practice of Science
Bibliography
Index
William L. Harper is Professor Emeritus at the University of
Western Ontario, where he has taught since 1970. He has held
positions as a visiting Professor at the University of Pittsburgh,
Princeton University, and the California Institute of Technology.
From 2002 to 2005 he served as President of the Canadian Society
for History and Philosophy of Science, having served as First Vice
President from 1999 to 2001. He has also served twice on the
Governing Board of
the Philosophy of Science Association, and was Representative of
the Association of Symbolic Logic to the American Association for
the Advancement of Science between 1982 and 1988.
This is a contribution to the history of astronomy that is
exceptionally thorough, well-documented and presented. It might not
be easy going for the average astronomer or physicist, but I should
imagine anyone interested in Newtons great achievements and
seventeenth century science should spend some time understanding
Professor Harpers arguments and analysis. I came away from it even
more impressed with the subtlety of Newtons thought and the
greatness of his achievements.
*Robert D. Joseph, Contemporary Physics,*
Harpers book is an important contribution.
*Katherine Dunlop, Journal of the History of Philosophy*
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