Springs of scientific creativity : essays on founders of modern science

Springs of Scientific Creativity was first published in 1983. Mathematician Henri Poincar? was boarding a bus when he realized that the transformations of non-Euclidian geometry were just those he needed in his research on the theory of functions. He did not have to interrupt his conversation, still less to verify the equation in detail; his insight was complete at that point. Poincar?'s insight into his own creativity -- his awareness that preliminary cogitation and the working of the subconscious had prepared his mind for an intuitive flash of recognition -- is just one of many possible analyses of scientific creativity, a subject as fascinating as it is elusive. The authors of this book have chosen to search for the springs of scientific creativity by examining the lives and work of a dozen innovative thinkers in the fields of mathematics, physics, and chemistry from the seventeenth down to the mid-twentieth century. First prepared for delivery in a lecture series held at the University of Minnesota, these essays delve into the social, psychological, and intellectual factors that fostered creativity in the lives of Galilei Galileo, Isaac Newton, J. P. Joule, James Cler Maxwell, Josiah Willard Gibbs, Lord Rayleigh, Elmer Sperry and Adrian Leverk?hn, Walter Nernst, Albert Einstein, Erwin Schr?dinger, Michael Polyani, and John von Neumann. The contributors are Thomas B. Settle, Richard S. Westfall, Donald S. L. Cardwell, C. W. F. Everitt, Martin J. Klein, John N. Howard, Thomas P. Hughes, Erwin N. Hiebert, Stanley Goldberg, Linda Wessels, William T. Scott, and Herman H. Goldstine. Mathematician Henri Poincaré Was Boarding A Bus When He Realized That The Transformations Of Non-euclidean Geometry Were Just Those He Needed In His Research On The Theory Of Functions. He Did Not Have To Interrupt His Conversation, Still Less To Verify The Equation In Detail; His Insight Was Complete At That Point. Poincaré's Insight Into His Own Creativity -- His Awareness That Preliminary Cogitation And The Working Of The Subconscious Had Prepared His Mind For An Intuitive Flash Of Recognition -- Is Just One Of Many Possible Analyses Of Scientific Creativity, A Subject As Fascinating As It Is Elusive. The Authors Of This Book Have Chosen To Search For The Springs Of Scientific Creativity By Examining The Lives And Work Of A Dozen Innovative Thinkers In The Fields Of Mathematics, Physics, And Chemistry From The Seventeenth Down To The Mid-twentieth Century. Galileo And Early Experimentation / Thomas B. Settle -- Newton's Development Of The Principia / Richard S. Westfall -- The Origins And Consequences Of Certain Of J.p. Johle's Scientific Ideas / Donald S.l. Cardwell -- Maxwell's Scientific Creativity / C.w.f. Everitt -- The Scientific Style Of Josiah Willard Gibbs / Martin J. Klein -- Principle Scientific Contributions Of John William Strutt, Third Baron Rayleigh / John N. Howard -- Elmer Sperry And Adrian Leverkühn: A Comparison Of Creative Styles / Thomas P. Hughes -- Walther Nernst And The Application Of Physics To Chemistry / Erwin N. Hiebert -- Albert Einstein And The Creative Act: The Case Of Special Relativity / Stanley Goldberg -- Erwin Schrödinger And The Descriptive Tradition / Linda Wessels -- Michael Polanyi's Creativity In Chemistry / William T. Scott -- The Role Of John Von Neumann In The Computer Field / Herman H. Goldstine. Rutherford Aris, H. Ted Davis, Roger H. Stuewer, Editors. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Springs of Scientific Creativity was first published in 1983. Mathematician Henri Poincaré was boarding a bus when he realized that the transformations of non-Euclidian geometry were just those he needed in his research on the theory of functions. He did not have to interrupt his conversation, still less to verify the equation in detail; his insight was complete at that point. Poincaré's insight into his own creativity -- his awareness that preliminary cogitation and the working of the subconscious had prepared his mind for an intuitive flash of recognition -- is just one of many possible anal. Better than the previous version by having correct information about the editors. The previous version omits the first editor Rutherford Aris and therefore is not found if searched by this name. If the information about the previous version is corrected, this one can be removed