-
Period: to
William Whewell (1794-1866)
Born: May 24,1794, Lancaster, United Kingdom
Died: March 6, 1866, Cambridge, United Kingdom -
Period: to
Academics
Whewell attended Trinity College, Cambridge having earned a scholarship in 1812. In 1814 he wins a price for his poem "Boadicea" and in 1816 his mathematical studies prowesses other prices as well. In 1820 he was elected to the Royal Society and became a priest. He became a Professor of Moral Philosophy in 1838. Becoming a Master of Trinity College in 1841 a Vice- Chancellor of the University in 1842 and again in 1855. -
Astronomy and General Physics
William Whewell continuously brings the question on God and the divinity.Using the term Creator and Governor constantly debates on the laws of nature not to be confused with moral laws. The Natural Law Laws of Nature; they are the rules for that which things are to do and suffer; and this by no consciousness or will of theirs. -
The Plurality of Worlds
Questions on science and religion, the multiplicity of worlds.
Geometry as God's tool of creation. How different other world can be, the search for answers on god and natural laws present themselves through his work. His studies on natural philosophy will come to become the future of science. -
On the Philosophy of Discovery.
With a search for universal knowledge through natural science, Whewell dedicated his life to the pursue of learning, "in every act of knowledge... there are two opposite elements, with we may call Ideas and Perceptions" (1860a, 307) He explains how the mind plays an absolute roll in understanding. " the ideas, the germ of them at least, were in the human mind before; but by the progress of scientific though they are unfolded into clearness ands distinctness" (1860a, 373). -
Work & Media
William Whewell wrote on many topics, including geology, theology, astronomy, mathematics to name a few. In his life time he was acknowledged by other major scientist. Whewell invented the term "anode", "cathode" and "into" for Faraday. He is also credited for inventing the word "scientist", it used to me referred to as "natural philosopher" and "many of Science". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCLXv9EESoc