Hegel and Newtonianism

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This is a comprehensive survey of the way in which Hegel reacted to the pervasive Newtonianism of his day. Various 18th-century developments in metaphysics, the foundations of mathematics, mechanics, optics and chemistry are considered, together with Hegel’s assessment of them. It becomes apparent that the criticism he levels at several of the prevailing attitudes of his day assumes a new significance once a proper distinction is drawn between Newton’s own views and those of his professed followers. One of the most remarkable results of the survey is the way in which it brings out the basic convergence of many of Hegel’s views with those of the historical Newton. The work is rounded off with a fully annotated bibliography of the relevant sections of Hegel’s private library.