Posted by Michael (199.60.107.1) on September 03, 2003 at 13:10:36:
In Reply to: Re: Newton posted by Lurker on September 02, 2003 at 18:15:58:
I think we need to distinguish the difference between Newton - and post Newton. Between what Newton freely gave out for the love of humanity, and what he worked on and gave out to further his advancement, and what the Royal Society gave out at a later date. I don't know where to draw the line...do you? Newton had his own share of secrets, he was a practising alchemist. As well, he was also incorrect on some things. My point was his base knowledge regarding his laws was already known. How much did he come to himself, and how much was from "standing on the shoulders of giants?" What I find irriatating is because the label has been thrown down, the mass majority thinks it was then and only then mankind became enlightened (and I am not just refering to Newton, but anyone), and the real history, and meaning itself is washed away. We think we are better and superior to our past ancestors. Are we? For instence, most modern day people when hearing the term spirit think it means ghost or some such thing. I am of the opinion it held the meaning of energy, to the philosopher scientist of the past. Substitute energy for spirit and sentences such as the spirit manifests, but affects observers differently, The spirit moves me, make sense. Leonardo Da-Vinci had one, Matter creates spirit and spirit creates matter. Sounds like pre Einstien to me.
Michael
: : I laugh at Newtons laws. Simply because I find it very annoying that a lable has been given to some observations regarding nature, a person's name applied 'AS IF' he were the first to put it all together. When in fact the knowledge is very old, and can be traced through alchemetic sources.
: : Michael
:
: Newton deserves every bit of fame that has history has given to him. NOT because he discovered the "laws" which bear his name, but because he gave those laws to the world so that they would no longer be the secrets of old cranks who horded such secrets for their sole personal benefit.
: Compare Newton to Bessler. Who would YOU say is the better man, and who has had the greatest benefit to the world? If Bessler had never been born, the world would be the same that it is now. However, if NEWTON had never been born, the world would be a much more primitive place than it is now.
: Discovering something is NOT as important as bringing it to the world so that it actually benefit peoples lives. Newton is a hero. Bessler was nothing more than a sour old man with a secret.
: Lurker.