Leibniz’s Correspondence in Science, Technology and Medicine (1676–1701)

Core Themes and Core Texts

Series: 

Author:
James O'Hara
Leibniz’s correspondence from his years spent in Paris (1672-1676) reflects his growth to mathematical maturity whereas that from the years 1676-1701 reveals his growth to maturity in science, technology and medicine in the course of which more than 2000 letters were exchanged with more than 200 correspondents. The remaining years until his death in 1716 witnessed above all the appearance of his major philosophical works.

The focus of the present work is Leibniz's middle period and the core themes and core texts from his multilingual correspondence are presented in English from the following subject areas: mathematics, natural philosophy, physics (and cosmology), power technology (including mining and transport), engineering and engineering science, projects (scientific, technological and economic projects), alchemy and chemistry, geology, biology and medicine.
Copyright Year:
2024
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ISBN:
978-90-04-68736-3
Publication:
29 Jul 2024
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ISBN:
978-90-04-35490-6
Publication:
01 Aug 2024
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James G. O'Hara, Ph.D., (1979), University of Manchester, is an historian of science and technology. During his career, he has taught and done research in Delft, Regensburg, Stuttgart, Munich (Deutsches Museum), Hamburg and Hanover. His research interests include the edition of manuscript papers of historical personages in science and technology (17th–19th centuries). Between 1987 and 2013, he co-edited five volumes of Leibniz’s correspondence in mathematics, science and technology at the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Library (Hanover).
Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Illustrations

Introduction: The Core Themes
 1 Biographical Background (1676–1701)
 2 Mathematics
 3 Natural Philosophy
 4 Physics
 5 Energy Conversion, Transmission, Storage and Power Technology
 6 Engineering
 7 Projects
 8 Alchemy and Chemistry
 9 Earth Sciences: Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology and Ethnography, Etymology
 10 Biology and Life Sciences
 11 Medicine

The Correspondence: Core Texts

1 1676–June 1683
 1 Biographical Background (1676–June 1683)
 2 Mathematics
 3 Natural Philosophy and Physics
 4 Technology: Mining in the Harz District
 5 Projects: Calculating Machines
 6 Techno-Economic Projects
 7 Projects: The Organization of Science
 8 Alchemy and Chemistry
 9 Geology, Mineralogy and Paleontology
 10 Medicine

2 July 1683–1690
 1 Biographical Background (1683–1690)
 2 Mathematics: Infinitesimal Calculus and Other Issues
 3 Natural Philosophy
 4 Physics: Celestial Mechanics, Mechanics, Acoustics, Optics and Sundry Topics
 5 Technology: Mining and Power Technology
 6 Ballistae – Military Engines and Engineering
 7 Engineering Science
 8 Projects: Economics and Administration
 9 Alchemy and Chemistry
 10 Geology, Mineralogy and Paleontology
 11 Biology and Medicine

3 1691–1693
 1 Biographical Background (1691–1693)
 2 Infinitesimal Calculus and Other Mathematics
 3 Natural Philosophy and Dynamics
 4 Physics: Celestial and Terrestrial Mechanics
 5 Physics: Optics
 6 Engineering Science: Hydromechanics and Mechanics of Fluids
 7 Projects: Calculating Machines and Cryptography
 8 Projects: Experiments with Submersible Vessels
 9 Techno-Economic Projects
 10 Projects: The Organization of Science
 11 Medicine

4 1694–June 1696
 1 Biographical Background (1694–June 1696)
 2 Infinitesimal Calculus and Other Mathematics
 3 Dynamics and Natural Philosophy
 4 Physics: Celestial Mechanics, Gravitation
 5 Physics: Optics
 6 Power Technology and Mining
 7 Engineering
 8 Engineering: Ballistae, Military Engines
 9 Projects: Mathematical Instruments and Calculating Machines
 10 Projects: Submersibles, Diving Vessels and Navigation
 11 Projects: Economics and Trade
 12 Projects: The Organization of Science and Education
 13 Medicine and Res Medica

5 July 1696–1698
 1 Biographical Background (July 1696–1698)
 2 Mathematics: The Brachistochrone and Isoperimetric Problems
 3 Mathematics: The Priority Dispute
 4 Mathematics: Criticism of the Differential Calculus
 5 Mathematics: Mathematical Textbooks and Sundry Topics
 6 Natural Philosophy: The Controversy with Papin about “Vis Viva” and “Actio”
 7 Physics: Optics
 8 Power Technology
 9 Civil Engineering, Garden Design and Architecture
 10 Other Engineering Enterprises
 11 Process or Chemical Engineering
 12 Projects: Cryptography
 13 Projects: Brandy Distillation
 14 Alchemy and Chemistry
 15 Paleontology and Earth History
 16 Biology
 17 Medicine

6 1699–1701
 1 Biographical Background (1699–1701)
 2 Mathematics
 3 Natural Philosophy
 4 Physics
 5 Astronomy and Calendar Reform
 6 Power Technology
 7 Engineering: Manufactories
 8 Projects: Calculating Machines
 9 Projects: the Berlin Society of Sciences and the Organization of Science
 10 Alchemy
 11 Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology, Ethnography and Etymology
 12 Biology
 13 Medicine

Epilogue: Core Theses and Conclusion
 1 The Ten Theses
 2 Conclusion and Concluding Thesis
Bibliography
Index of Names
Index of Subjects
Historians of mathematics, science, technology and medicine, but also specialists in these field with an interest in the history of their discipline and occasionally educated laymen or scientific journalists. Leibniz scholars (including post-graduate students and post-doctoral researchers) in general but primarily those with a mathematical or scientific background.
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