Isaac Newton and the Origins of Civilization: Jed Z. Buchwald

Isaac Newton, Solomon's Kingdom,
and the Origins of Civilization

This event was digitally recorded and is available for viewing on the Caltech Theater site. Many past Watson Lectures are available for viewing online on the Caltech Theater site, and are available for purchase: DVD Order Form (PDF)

Isaac Newton renovated the foundations of mathematics, optics, and mechanics in the 17th century. He also attempted to overturn the history of civilization. Newton, convinced that Egyptians and Greeks studied at the feet of ancient Hebrews, sought to prove that Solomon's kingdom set the pattern for organized social life. Newton reconstructed the plan of Solomon's temple. He canvassed ancient texts for words to transform into supporting evidence, and deployed the earliest known procedures for handling discrepant data.

Buchwald will discuss the complicated interaction between Newton's unorthodox religious ideas and his experimental science methods, and how sophisticated techniques produce error when data is "massaged" to fit conviction.

Jed Z. Buchwald is the Doris and Henry Dreyfuss Professor of History at Caltech.

Jed Z. Buchwald

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