The Newton Wars and the Beginning of the French Enlightenment (original) (raw)

The paper discusses the 'Newton Wars' in France, which pitted supporters of Newton's gravitational theory against Cartesian theorists during the early 18th century. It emphasizes the reinterpretation of this historical conflict and its influence on the emergence of the French Enlightenment, highlighting key figures like Maupertuis, Voltaire, Clairaut, and d'Alembert. The battles in scientific thought during this period illustrate a significant shift in the acceptance of Newton's ideas over Cartesian philosophy.