From: scerir (scerir@libero.it)
Date: Tue Dec 24 2002 - 08:45:18 MST
spike :
> I would hate to think Sir Isaac suffered so, going
> on to invent calculus just to inflict bitter pain and
> agony upon future generations of young scholars,
> just because he failed to cash in on the toys every
> year.
Alas!
C.K. Raju, PhD, in 'Calculus, Mathematics, and Astronomy in Medieval
India' (History of Science in India from 15th c. to 20th c., volume
commissioned by PHISPC) writes that calculus was anticipated in India.
It was transmitted from India to Europe through the 'calendrical
manuscripts' imported into Europe (and then translated!) in connection
with the European issue of navigation, and the calendar reform of 1582.
See also something here:
http://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/t_es/t_es_raju_monsoon.htm
I doubt they (in India) knew everything about gravitation and astronomy.
Even if - according to Dr. Kac http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/9804020 -
they already knew much about the speed of light (in vacuum) and cosmology.
Hari-Krishna. Hari-Hari.
s.
<<That gravity should be innate inherent & essential to matter
so yt one body may act upon another at a distance through a vacuum
wthout the mediation of any thing else by & through wch
their action or force may be conveyed from one to another
is to me so great an absurdity that I beleive no man
who has in philosophical matters any competent faculty of thinking
can ever fall into it. Gravity must be caused by an agent acting
constantly according to certain laws, but whether this agent
be material or immaterial is a question I have left to ye consideration
of my readers.>>
- Newton
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