The Janus Faces of Genius: The Role of Alchemy in Newton's Thought

by Betty Jo Teeter Dobbs

In this major reevaluation of Isaac Newton's intellectual life, Betty Jo Teeter Dobbs shows how his pioneering work in mathematics, physics, and cosmology was intertwined with his study of alchemy. Professor Dobbs argues that to Newton those several intellectual pursuits were all ways of approaching Truth, and that Newton's primary goal was not the study of nature for its own sake but rather an attempt to establish a unified system that would have included both natural and divine principles. She also argues that Newton's methodology was much broader than modern scholars have previously supposed, and she traces the evolution of his thought on the intertwined problems of the microcosmic "vegetable spirit" of alchemy and the "cause" of the cosmic principle of gravitation.

Genres: History, Alchemy, Science

374 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Peter Light · Rating 5 out of 5]

I applaud Betty for her excellent masterwork on "The Janus Faces of Genius". She understands alchemy, no doubt, and she understands as well the huge role of Newton played in this regard. This book is one of my favourites on alchemy. I recommend it to serious students. Not only it delivers insight into the hidden history of alchemy, but it also is a good book on beginning the journey of learning what alchemy actually is. She mentions for example little gems like the vegetable spirit, something you will not find in 100 books of alchemy. Definitely a recommandation!