Science & Technology in Literature, Physics - General & Miscellaneous, Ancient Roman Literature - Literary Criticism, Roman Philosophy, Ancient Roman Poetry - Literary Criticism
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Overview
The Birth of Physicsfocuses on the largest text still intact to reach us from the Ancient Greek Atomists- Lucretius' De Rerum Nahra- but mobilises everything we know about the related scientific work of the time (Archemides, Epicurus et al) in order to demand a complete reappraisal of the legacy. Serres argues that the Greeks had all the mathematical resources to formulate an adequate picture of the physical principles acting on matter. Crucial to his reconception of the Atomists' thought is a recognition that thier model of atomic matter is essentially a fluid one- they are describing the actions of turbulence. This book is truly a landmark in the study of ancient physics and will promote not only more work in the are but also stimulate a more general rebirth of philosophical interest in the ancients.Synopsis
This work focuses on the largest text from the Ancient Greek Atomists - Lucretius' De Rerum Natura - and mobilizes knowledge about the related scientific work of the time (Archimedes, Epicurus et al) in order to demand a complete reappraisal of the legacy. Serres argues that the Greeks had all the mathematical resources to formulate an adequate picture of the physical principles acting on matter. Crucial to his reconception of the Atomists' thought is a recognition that their model of atomic matter is essentially a fluid one - they are describing the actions of turbulence. Recognition of this fact throws in relief the force of this ancient thought with respect to the disciplines of chaos and complexity. It explains the continuing presence of Lucretius in the work of such scientific giants as Nobel Laureates Schroedinger and Prigogine.Book Details
Published
January 8, 2001
Publisher
Clinamen Press Ltd
Pages
256
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9781903083031