Poster Title
P-36 The Theological Motivation of Isaac Newton
Abstract
Isaac Newton, known for his advances in physics, is remembered as a scientist. The lack of religious references in his scientific publications is often seen as a conscientious separation of science from religion. However, Newton was a theologian first and a scientist second, and his motivation for pursuing science came from his religious convictions. The Principia Mathematica was written primarily because of Newton’s theological motivation, not out of a desire to study science for the sake of science. Despite the apparent lack of religion in the Principia Mathematica, it is a deeply religious book that grew out of the theological motivation of its author.
Location
Buller Hallway
Start Date
3-6-2015 2:30 PM
End Date
3-6-2015 4:00 PM
P-36 The Theological Motivation of Isaac Newton
Buller Hallway
Isaac Newton, known for his advances in physics, is remembered as a scientist. The lack of religious references in his scientific publications is often seen as a conscientious separation of science from religion. However, Newton was a theologian first and a scientist second, and his motivation for pursuing science came from his religious convictions. The Principia Mathematica was written primarily because of Newton’s theological motivation, not out of a desire to study science for the sake of science. Despite the apparent lack of religion in the Principia Mathematica, it is a deeply religious book that grew out of the theological motivation of its author.
Acknowledgments
J.N. Andrews Honors Scholar and Issachar Scholar
Advisor: Gary Burdick, Physics