The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern World
by Edward Dolnick
In "The Clockwork Universe," Edward Dolnick explores the transformative era of the 17th century, highlighting the profound influence of Isaac Newton and his contemporaries on our understanding of the universe. Central to the narrative is the stark contrast between Newton's austere, methodical approach to life and the exuberance of his rival, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. While Newton was dismissive of art and leisure, focusing solely on the mathematical and rational, Leibniz embodied a more spirited, creative intellect. The book delves into the philosophical shift from a world governed by chance and divine whim to one described by precise, mathematical laws,a hallmark of the emerging scientific worldview. Dolnick emphasizes that this shift was not merely a triumph of reason but a revolutionary reimagining of existence itself, where originality was initially perceived as a threat rather than an asset. Dolnick also critiques the historical narrative shaped by victorious scientific thought, suggesting that the richness of alternative viewpoints, particularly those of figures like Leibniz, has been overshadowed. He portrays the 17th century as a battleground of ideas, where the fear of damnation coexisted with a burgeoning belief in an orderly universe, laying the groundwork for modern science. Ultimately, "The Clockwork Universe" presents a vivid portrait of the era that birthed the modern world, underscoring the tension between rationality and creativity in shaping human thought.
4 popular highlights from this book
Key Insights & Memorable Quotes
Below are the most popular and impactful highlights and quotes from The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern World:
The usual consolations of life, friendship and sex included, appealed to Newton hardly at all. Art, literature, and music had scarcely more allure. He dismissed the classical sculptures in the Earl of Pembroke's renowned collection as "stone dolls." He waved poetry aside as "a kind of ingenious nonsense." He rejected opera after a single encounter. "The first Act I heard with pleasure, the 2d stretch'd my patience, at the 3d I ran away.
In the century of Kepler, Galileo, Descartes, Pascal, and Newton,” one historian wrote, “the most versatile genius of all was Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.
It’s always the case that history is a tale told by the victors. But the triumph of the scientific worldview has been so complete that we’ve lost more than the losing side’s version of history. We’ve lost the idea that a view different from ours is even possible. Today we take for granted that originality is a word of praise. New strikes us as nearly synonymous with improved. But for nearly all of human history, a new idea was a dangerous idea.
Even supremely able and ambitious men quailed at the thought of Leibniz's powers. "When one ... compares one's own small talents with those of a Leibniz," wrote Denis Diderot, the philosopher/poet who had compiled an encyclopedia of all human knowledge, "one is tempted to throw away one's books and go die peacefully in the depths of some dark corner.
