Description: Pierre-Simon Laplace, 1749-1827 by Charles Coulston Gillispie Pierre-Simon Laplace was among the nfluential scientists in history. This book traces the development of Laplaces research program and of his participation in the Academy of Science during the last decades of the Old Regime into the early years of the French Revolution. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Pierre-Simon Laplace was among the most influential scientists in history. Often referred to as the lawgiver of French science, he is known for his technical contributions to exact science, for the philosophical point of view he developed in the presentation of his work, and for the leading part he took in forming the modern discipline of mathematical physics. His two most famous treatises were the five-volume Traite de mecanique celeste (1799-1825) and Theorie analytique des probabilites (1812). In the former he demonstrated mathematically the stability of the solar system in service to the universal Newtonian law of gravity. In the latter he developed probability from a set of miscellaneous problems concerning games, averages, mortality, and insurance risks into the branch of mathematics that permitted the quantification of estimates of error and the drawing of statistical inferences, wherever data warranted, in social, medical, and juridical matters, as well as in the physical sciences.This book traces the development of Laplaces research program and of his participation in the Academy of Science during the last decades of the Old Regime into the early years of the French Revolution. A scientific biography by Charles Gillispie comprises the major portion of the book. Robert Fox contributes an account of Laplaces attempt to form a school of young physicists who would extend the Newtonian model from astronomy to physics, and Ivor Grattan-Guinness summarizes the history of the scientists most important single mathematical contribution, the Laplace Transform. Author Biography Charles Coulston Gillispie is Dayton-Stockton Professor of History Emeritus at Princeton University, where he founded the Program in History of Science in 1960. He is the author or numerous books, including The Edge of Objectivity (Princeton). He is the editor of the sixteen-volume Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Robert Fox is Professor of History of Science at the University of Oxford. Ivor Grattan-Guinness is Professor of the History of Mathmatics and Logic at Middlesex Polytechnic University in London. Table of Contents PrefaceAcknowledgmentsPt. IEarly Career, 1768-1778Ch. 1Youth, Education, and Election to the Academy3Ch. 2Finite Differences, Recurrent Series, and Theory of Chance7Ch. 3Probability of Events and of Their Causes: The Origin of Statistical Inference13Ch. 4Universal Gravitation29Ch. 5Distribution of Comets38Ch. 6Partial Differential Equations, Determinants, and Variation of Constants44Ch. 7The Figure of the Earth and the Motion of the Seas51Pt. IILaplace in his Prime, 1778-1789Ch. 8Influence and Reputation67Ch. 9Variation of Constants, Differential Operators70Ch. 10Probability Matured72Ch. 11Generating Functions and Definite Integrals86Ch. 12Population93Ch. 13Determination of the Orbits of Comets96Ch. 14Lavoisier and Laplace: Chemical Physics of Heat101Ch. 15Attraction of Spheroids109Ch. 16Planetary Astronomy124Pt. IIISynthesis and Scientific StatesmanshipCh. 17The Revolution and the Metric System149Ch. 18Scientific Work in the Early Revolution156Ch. 19Exposition du systeme du monde166Ch. 20A Scientific Eminence176Ch. 21Traite de mecanique celeste184Pt. IVLaplacian Physics and ProbabilityCh. 22The Velocity of Sound199Ch. 23Short-Range Forces203Ch. 24The Laplacian School209Ch. 25Theory of Error216Ch. 26Probability: Theorie analytique and Essai philosophique224Ch. 27Loss of Influence243Ch. 28The Last Analysis250Pt. VThe Laplace TransformCh. 29Laplaces Integral Solutions to Partial Differential Equations259Conclusion271Abbreviations280Bibliography281Index319 Review "Gillispies distinguished biography is a magisterial survey of one of the most influential scientists of the past two centuries. It is also a history of science at its most challenging."--William R. Shea, Nature "This is a rich and extremely well documented presentation of Laplaces works, which will surely prompt many scientists to go back to the original texts themselves and find out more about this great French scientist."--Jean-Bernard Robert, Physics World "This book will decidedly be the definitive one-volume work on Laplace, and will be of particular value to mathematicians and physicists who wish to know the mathematical details of the origins of a number of significant parts of their subjects."--R. L. Cooke, Mathematical Reviews "This book provides a scholarly and human view of the scientific life of Laplace, seen through the intellectual, political, and social environment of his time."--Lorenzo J. Curtis, Naturvetenskap Long Description Pierre-Simon Laplace was among the most influential scientists in history. Often referred to as the lawgiver of French science, he is known for his technical contributions to exact science, for the philosophical point of view he developed in the presentation of his work, and for the leading part he took in forming the modern discipline of mathematical physics. His two most famous treatises were the five-volume Traite de mecanique celeste (1799-1825) and Theorie analytique des probabilites (1812). In the former he demonstrated mathematically the stability of the solar system in service to the universal Newtonian law of gravity. In the latter he developed probability from a set of miscellaneous problems concerning games, averages, mortality, and insurance risks into the branch of mathematics that permitted the quantification of estimates of error and the drawing of statistical inferences, wherever data warranted, in social, medical, and juridical matters, as well as in the physical sciences.This book traces the development of Laplaces research program and of his participation in the Academy of Science during the last decades of the Old Regime into the early years of the French Revolution. A scientific biography by Charles Gillispie comprises the major portion of the book. Robert Fox contributes an account of Laplaces attempt to form a school of young physicists who would extend the Newtonian model from astronomy to physics, and Ivor Grattan-Guinness summarizes the history of the scientists most important single mathematical contribution, the Laplace Transform. Review Quote This is a rich and extremely well documented presentation of Laplaces works, which will surely prompt many scientists to go back to the original texts themselves and find out more about this great French scientist. -- Jean-Bernard Robert, Physics World Details ISBN0691050279 Author Charles Coulston Gillispie Pages 336 Publisher Princeton University Press Language English ISBN-10 0691050279 ISBN-13 9780691050270 Media Book Format Paperback Year 2000 Imprint Princeton University Press Subtitle A Life in Exact Science Place of Publication New Jersey Country of Publication United States Short Title PIERRE-SIMON LAPLACE 1749-1827 Residence NJ, US Edition Description Revised Translated from English DOI 10.1604/9780691050270 UK Release Date 2000-02-27 NZ Release Date 2000-02-27 US Release Date 2000-02-27 Publication Date 2000-02-27 Alternative 9780691011851 DEWEY 509.2 Illustrations 8 line illus., 1 halftone Audience Professional & Vocational AU Release Date 2000-05-08 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. 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ISBN-13: 9780691050270
Book Title: Pierre-Simon Laplace, 1749-1827
Number of Pages: 336 Pages
Publication Name: Pierre-Simon Laplace, 1749-1827 :A Life in Exact Science
Language: English
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Item Height: 254 mm
Subject: Science
Publication Year: 2000
Type: Textbook
Item Weight: 454 g
Author: Charles Coulston Gillispie
Item Width: 197 mm
Format: Paperback
