Essay/Term paper: Sir isaac newton and gottfried wilhelm leibniz

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Science

Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz


Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz are two of the most supreme
intellects of the 17th century. They are both considered to be the inventors
of Calculus. However, after a terrible dispute, Sir Isaac Newton took most of
the credit.

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716) was a German philosopher, mathematician,
and statesman born in the country of Leipzig. He received his education at the
universities of Leipzig, Jena, and Altdorf. He received a doctorate in law. He
devoted much of his time to the principle studies of mathematics, science, and
philosophy.

Leibniz's contribution in mathematics was in the year 1675, when he discovered
the fundamental principles of infinitesimal calculus. He arrived at this
discovery independently at the same time along with the English scientist Sir
Isaac Newton in 1666. However, Leibniz's system was published in 1684, three
years before Newton published his. Also at this time Leibniz's method of
notation, known as mathematical symbols, were adopted universally. He also
contributed in 1672 by inventing a calculating machine that was capable of
multiplying, dividing, and extracting square roots. All this made him to be
considered a pioneer in the developement of mathematical logic.

Sir Isaac Newton is the other major figure in the development of Calculus. He
was an English mathemetician and physcist, whose considered to be one of the
greatest scientists in history. Newton was born on December 25, 1642 at
Woolsthorpe, near Grantham in Lincolnshire. He attended Trinity College, at
the University of Cambridge. He received his bachelor's degree in 1665 and
received his master's degree in 1668. However, there he ignored much of the
universities established curriculum to pursue his own interests: mathematics and
natural philosophy. Almost immediately, he made fundamental discoveries in both
areas.

Newtons dicoveries was made up of several different things. It consisted of
combined infinite sums which are known as infinite series. It also consisted of
the binomial theorem for frational exponents and the algebraic expression of the
inverse relation between tangents and areas into methods that we refer to today
as calculus.

However, the story is not that simple. Being that both men were so-called
universal geniuses, they realized that in different ways they were entitled to
have the credit for "inventing calculus". Both engaged in a violent dispute
over priority in the invention of calculus. Unfortunately, Newton had the
upper hand, considering that he was the president of the Royal Society. He used
this position to to select a committee that would investigate the unsolved
question. Apparently, Newton included himself on this committee (illegally)
and submitted a false report that charged Leibniz with deliberate plagiarism.
He was also the one who compiled the book of evidence that the "society" was
supposed to publish.

In my opinion, I believe that Leibniz was entitled to the credit more than
Newton was. For one, the phrase "First come, First serve". I also think that
anyone who has to go about getting things in a scandulous way doesn't deserve
any recognition at all. Consequently, because of Newton's sneaky actions he
got the glamour he wanted. For example, when I was doing my research I read
where they haad distinctively put Newton before Leibniz by using the phrase "
respectively". In conclusion, I believe that over the years credit has been
given to the wrong person.