Letters On Different Subjects In Natural Philosophy: Addressed To A German Princess

by Leonhard Euler

Letters On Different Subjects In Natural Addressed To A German Princess by Leonhard Euler. Euler's Letters On Natural Philosophy present a systematic exposition of science and the method of inquiry in a dialogue-like format addressed to a German Princess. The text blends epistemology with physics and astronomy, explaining how knowledge is obtained from senses, reasoning, and testimony, and distinguishing physical, demonstrative, and moral certainty. It surveys the nature of matter, space, and extension; discusses the divisibility of extension and the monad controversy; then moves through electricity and magnetism with experiments like the Leyden jar and magnetic effects, explains the ether as a medium, and outlines the interactions of electric and magnetic phenomena. It then covers optics, dioptrics, the camera obscura, and telescopes; astronomy topics include determining longitude by lunar and Jovian satellites; the mariner's compass; and the dispersion of light into colours. Euler also explores the structure of devices such as microscopes and the telescope and includes a glossary. The work aims to popularize rigorous scientific reasoning while presenting a wealth of experimental topics and mathematical arguments, bridging philosophy and natural philosophy.

Genres: Science, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Physics

458 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1787

About the author

Noted Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler worked in analysis and algebra, including complex numbers and logarithms, and he introduced much of the basic notation in mathematics.

This pioneering physicist made important discoveries in fields as diverse as infinitesimal calculus and graph theory. He also introduced much of the modern terminology, particularly for analysis, such as the notion of a function. He is also renowned for his work in mechanics, fluid dynamics, optics, astronomy, and music theory.

People considered Euler the preeminent mathematician of the 18th century and one of the greatest who ever lived. He is also one of the most prolific mathematicians; his collected works fill sixty to eighty quarto volumes. He spent most of his adult life in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and in Berlin, Prussia.

A statement, attributed to Pierre Simon de Laplace, expresses influence of Euler on mathematics: "Read Euler, read Euler, he is the master of us all."

Reviews

[Samuel]

Wonderful!

[Temuulen]

One of the books about which I have fondest memories of reading as a kid.

[Juan Elías Millas Vera]

Lo marco como leído aunque no haya leído ni el 20% de todo el inmenso trabajo de cartas recopiladas. Y es que este libro está realmente obsoleto en cuanto a conocimiento, como nos podremos imaginar que estarán obsoletos casi todos los libros actuales de divulgación científica dentro de 200 años. Y es que, la única razón que podría alguien para meterse entre pecho y espalda estas 600 páginas de ciencia clásica es para intentar comprender qué sabían los eruditos y gente culta del siglo XVIII... Y no me malinterpreteís, el libro está bien escrito, quizás exceptuando la excesiva pleitesía y sus referencias teológicas Euler tiene un ritmo ensayístico realmente interesante y además, la edición muy bien traducida y maquetada con los dibujos de referencia. Pero, se hace pesado, más que nada porque es casi imposible no pensar paralelamente a lo que se lee cual es la explicación contemporanea basada en relatividad o cuántica de cada tema que trata, y la contempranea siempre es más precisa y correcta. Así que como libro de "Historia de la ciencia" bien, como ensayo que pueda aportar algo al saber cientifico actual no se lo recomendaría ni a chavales de estudios de segunda etapa educativa.

[Álvaro Nieto]

Una obra genial para los interesados en la historia de la ciencia en la época de Euler, la claridad con la que expone sus ideas es sensacional. El libro me ha hecho sentirme totalmente como una princesa