Method versus calculus in Newton’s criticisms of Descartes and Leibniz
Niccolo Guicciardini
Universita di Siena, Italy
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Abstract
In my talk I will consider Newton’s views on mathematical method. Newton never wrote extensively about this issue. However, in his polemic writings addressed against Descartes and Leibniz he expressed the idea that his method was superior to the ones proposed by the French and the German. Considering these writings can help us in understanding the role attributed to algebra and calculus in Newton’s mathematical thought.