The purpose of this volume is to give the reader a collection of the writings of Isaac Newton, together with commentaries that extend over four centuries and display the continuing importance of his thought. In conformity with the goals of the series, this edition attempts to show why Newton has been almost universally hailed as one of the greatest scientists who ever lived, while at the same time illustrating why his achievements came to symbolize the rationality of the Enlightenment at its highest form, justifying the subsidiary title of the Age of Reason.

At last an illuminating and accessible edition of Isaac Newton's writings, intended for nonspecialist readers. I. Bernard Cohen and Richard S. Westfall have meticulously col]ected representative works from eve major aspect of Newton's intellectual life.

The book is divided into nine parts Natural Philosophy, Scientific Method. Experimental Procedure. Optics. Rational Mechanics, System of the World. Alchemy and Theory of Matter. Theology; and Mathematics. Text and commentary are woven together, enabling readers to concentrate on the aspects of Newton's astoundingly diverse career they prefer. For each part. the edilors provide an introductory essay and texlual annolation. In addition, the text is amply illustrated.

The "General Introduction" lo the book sketches Newton's life and offers an interpretation of his scientific achievements. The "Biographical Register" identifies the many people Newton cites in his writings. The "Glossary and "Glossary of Chemical Terms" explicate scientific terms and concepts. Finally, the "Selected Bibliography" offers suggestions for further readings of and about Newton.

Prefacc

General Introduction

Part 1: Natural Philosophy

  Introduction

  From "Quaestiones quaedam philosophicae"

 Conjunction of Bodies

 Of the Celestial Matter and Orbs

 Of the Sun, Stars, Planets, and Comets

Of Gravity and Levity

Of Light

Of Sensation

Of the Flux and Reflux of the Sea

  Hypothesis of Light

  De Aere et Aethere

  Queries 1-7 and 31

  Queries 18-22

  Alexandre Koyre · The Significance of the Newtonian Synthesis

  A. Rupert Hall and Marie Boas Hall · Newton and the

Theory of Matter

  Arnold Thackray · Matter in a Nut-Shell: Newton's Opticks and

Eighteenth-Century Chemistry

  J. E. McGuire and P. M. Rattansi · Newton and the 'Pipes of Pan'

Part 2: Scientific Method

  Introduction

  A Note by David Gregory

  From Query 31

  Rules of Reasoning in Philosophy

  From the General Scholium

  From Newton to Cotes, March 28, 1713

  From Newton to Oldenburg, February 6, 1672

  From Newton to Oldenburg, June 10, 1672

  From Newton to Oldenburg, July 6, 1672

  Colin Maclaurin · From An Account of Sir Isaac Newton's

Philosophical Discoveries

  I. Bernard Cohen · Newton's Method and Newton's Style

Part 3: Experimental Procedure

  Introduction

  From "Of Colours"

  From Newton to Oldenburg, June 11, 1672

  From Proposition 6, Book 3 of the Principia

  From the General Scholium to Section 6, Book 2 of the Principia

  From "An Account of the Book entituled Commercium

Epistolicum"

Part 4: Optics

  Introduction

  Newton to Oldenburg, February 6, 1672

  From a Paper on Rings

  Queries 28 and 29

  Alan E. Shapiro · Experiment and Mathematics in Newton's

Theory of Color

  Simon Schaffer · Class works

Part 5: Rational Mechanics

  Introduction

  Newton's "Author's Preface to the Reader" of the Principia

  Paper of Directions Given by Newton to Bentley Respecting

the Books to Be Read before Endeavouring to Read and

Understand the Principia

  Definitions

  Laws of Motion

  Selected Propositioas from the Principia, Book 1

Proposition 1

Proposition 2

Proposition 3

Proposition 4

Scholiuln

Proposition 6

Proposition 11

Proposition 41

Introduction, Section 11

Proposition 57

Proposition 63

Proposition 66

Concluding Scholium to Section 11

Proposition 70

Proposition 71

  Scholium to Section 9, Book 2 of the Prineipia

  Alfred'North Whitehead · From Science and the Modern World

Part 6: System of the World

  Introduction

  Book 3: On the System of the World

  From The System of the World

  Colin Maclaurin · From An Account of Sir Isaac Newton's

Philosophical Discoveries

  David Kubrin · Newton and the Cyclical Cosmos:

Providence and the Mechanical Philosophy

Part 7: Alchemy and Theory of Matter

  Introduction

  From "Of Natures Obvious Laws and Processes in Vegetation"

  Chapter 5 of Praxis

  "De Natura Acidorum"

  John Maynard Keynes · From "Newton, the Man"

  Betty Jo Teeter Dobbs · From "Newton's Alchemy and His Theory

 of Matter"

Part 8: Theology

  Introduction

  From a Memorandum by David Gregory

  Four Letters to Richard Bentley

  General Scholium

  An Early Theological Manuscript

  A Short Schem of the True Religion

  Twelve Articles

  Introduction to a Treatise on Revelation

  Richard S. Wesffall · Newton and Christianity

Part 9: Mathematics

  Introduction

  The Tract of October 1666

  Section 1, Book a of the Principia

  Lemma 2, Book 2 of the Principia

  Leibniz's Judgment of Newton as a Mathematician

  Colson's Account of the Method of Fluxions

  George Berkeley · From The Analyst

  D. T. Whiteside · Newton the Mathematician

Postscript: Albert Einstein on Newton's Opticks

Biographical Register

Glossary

Glossary of Chemical Terms

Isaac Newton: A Chronology

Selected Bibliography