Abstract

Over the last thirty years, great advances have been made in Newton scholarship, in our understanding of the scientific culture of the eighteenth century, and in the appraisal of the present significance of Hegel’s treatment of the natural sciences. Newton’s influence upon the eighteenth century was profound and pervasive. Hegel’s assessment of the Newtonianism of his day has now become a matter of some importance to philosophers of science, both east and west of the ideological divide in Europe. It is essential, therefore, that some attempt should be made to bring together those historians and philosophers of science who have been transforming our conception of these three distinct but closely interrelated fields. And where better than in Newton’s own college?