Michael Faraday: Sandemanian and Scientist : A Study of Science and Religion in the Nineteenth Century

Annotation 'Deserves to be as popular with non-specialists as with those who have a science background ... I can think of sixth-formers I would offer it to, and I know of an eighty-year-old (non-specialist) who would not let me finish my copy in peace' - Elspeth Crawford, Physics Education 'Cantor ... achieves a level of insight into Farday's life which far surpasses all other biographies. It will form the basis on which future studies of all aspects of Faraday's life and work will have to be built' - Frank A.J. James, British Journal for the History of Science 'A sympathetic and accessible treatment of Faraday's life and work' - David Gooding, Physics World 'For those who want to know more about one of the UK's greatest figures, it is essential reading' - A.R. Butler, Chemistry in Britain 'Excellent Biography' - John Kerr, Scientific and Medical Network Newsletter This book locates Faraday and his science in the context of the Sandemanians. We gain both a new interpretation of one of the most important scientists of the nineteenth century and a fascinating insight into the relation between science and religion This is a short biographical study of Michael Faraday, one of the most important scientists of the nineteenth century. Without his invention of the electric motor, transformer, and dynamo, life as we live it would not be possible. Yet Faraday's ideas, particularly his bold, encompassing vision of natural powers as fields of force - challenged the traditional Newtonian views and paved the way for the work of Einstein and Maxwell. This book describes, in nontechnical language, how this major scientist lived and worked and how his everyday scientific practice was informed by his abilities as an experimentalist, his religious beliefs, and the rapidly changing world of nineteenth century Europe. The authors show how Faraday himself contributed to that change by promoting science to the public, making important discoveries in almost every major area of chemistry and physics, so shaping the conceptions of science that we have all inherited. Students will find this overview of the life and work of one of the giants of scientific discovery immensely valuable. Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-10 Anglicans, Dissenters and Sandemanians....Pages 11-36 The London Sandemanian Fellowship....Pages 37-54 Faraday among the Sandemanians....Pages 55-85 Faraday in Society....Pages 86-118 Scientific Institutions....Pages 119-160 A Theology of Nature....Pages 161-195 Faraday on Scientific Method....Pages 196-224 Scientific Investigations....Pages 225-258 Faraday’s Personality Revisited....Pages 259-288 Epilogue: Science and Religion....Pages 289-295 Back Matter....Pages 296-359 A work which places Faraday and his innovative science in the context of the Sandemanians, the small Christian sect to which he belonged. His allegiance to this obscure fundamentalist sect was the foundation of both his social and political views and many aspects of his science.