Mechanizing magnetism in restoration England—the decline of magnetic philosophy

摘要: Summary The magnet served three interests of Restoration mechanical philosophers: it provided a model cosmic forces, suggested solution to the problem longitude determination, and evidence its corpuscular mechanism would silence critics. An implicit condition William Gilbert's ‘magnetic philosophy’ was existence unique, immaterial magnetic virtue. philosophers, while claiming descent from their compatriot, worked successfully disprove this, following an experimental regime Henry Power. Magnetic philosophy lost coherence became subsumed in study effluvia. This contradiction distinct, yet came head 1684 argument between Robert Hooke Martin Lister. effluvial explanation magnetism introduced great complexity North-seeking behaviour compass needles, undermined already troubled programme. Thus no longer furthered which had...