The Practical Tradition of Dutch Newtonianism

Abstract

Dutch natural philosophers played a crucial role in interpreting and disseminating Isaac Newton's ideas throughout Europe. The chapter discusses how their views of Newton related to older Dutch traditions, most notably the so-called Dutch Mathematics - practical mathematics taught at universities in the vernacular for aspiring surveyors and military engineers. Within this field, a new understanding of natural philosophy had emerged, into which Newtonian science could be easily integrated.