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A Comet of the EnlightenmentSetting the Scene

A Comet of the Enlightenment: Setting the Scene [Before exploring the life and work of the Swedish astronomer and mathematician Anders Johan Lexell (1740–1784), it is instructive to put him into perspective in history in general and in the history of sciences in particular. Lexell grew up in eighteenth-century Finland, at that time an integrated part of the kingdom of Sweden. Educated in Åbo (Turku in Finnish), in a small provincial university with a relatively short history of natural sciences, Lexell nevertheless managed to reach the summit of international mathematical and astronomical research of his time. Without being in any way radical in his thought, he adopted and virtually embodied the scientific ideals of rationality and logic, to a degree matching the achievements of European colleagues in the intellectual “hot spots” of the Age of Enlightenment. It is the humble intention of this book to give an account of how this was possible.] http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

A Comet of the EnlightenmentSetting the Scene

Part of the Vita Mathematica Book Series (volume 17)
Stén, Johan C.-E.
Springer Journals — Jan 6, 2014
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18 pages

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Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Copyright
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014
ISBN
978-3-319-00617-8
Pages
1 –18
DOI
10.1007/978-3-319-00618-5_1
Publisher site
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Abstract

[Before exploring the life and work of the Swedish astronomer and mathematician Anders Johan Lexell (1740–1784), it is instructive to put him into perspective in history in general and in the history of sciences in particular. Lexell grew up in eighteenth-century Finland, at that time an integrated part of the kingdom of Sweden. Educated in Åbo (Turku in Finnish), in a small provincial university with a relatively short history of natural sciences, Lexell nevertheless managed to reach the summit of international mathematical and astronomical research of his time. Without being in any way radical in his thought, he adopted and virtually embodied the scientific ideals of rationality and logic, to a degree matching the achievements of European colleagues in the intellectual “hot spots” of the Age of Enlightenment. It is the humble intention of this book to give an account of how this was possible.]

Published: Jan 6, 2014

Keywords: Eighteenth Century; Scientific Society; Early Eighteenth Century; Pendulum Clock; Imperial Academy

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