Western history - Essay Example

Principia or The Mathematical Principles of Natural Knowledge is a book that was published by Isaac Newton in 1687. It contained a principle he formulated now known as the law of universal attraction or gravitation. The law simply states: “Every particle of matter in the universe attracts every other particle with a force varying inversely as the square of the distance between them and directly proportional to the product of their masses.” 1. Condorcet and the future of humanity. Marquis de Condorcet, French mathematician and philosophe, had three hopes: one, that all nations will be one day equal to each other; two, that there will be equality in each of the nations themselves, and; three, that mankind will be perfect.

Condorcet’s basis for believing that one day, all these will happen is the fact that based on the historical past, men and states were set free and liberated from ignorance and superstition by the emergence of enlightened men who saw reason as their only master. 2. a) The painting implies that all people of all classes are influenced by the books of enlightenment because everyone included in the scene seem to be holding one or near one. The poor couple on the right lower portion, one sitting down on some really huge ones and the woman bending over to him with books strewn all over her feet.

On the left side lower portion, a clergyman with a book tucked under an arm is talking to some men, perhaps about the book he is holding. A woman holding a book can be seen gaily conversing with a traveler resting in front of the bookstore and all over its facade are probably advertisements of books on sale in the bookstore. b) The clergy is obviously an important and authoritative figure in the community, even beyond the pulpit. Everything that he says, people listen and the fact that the clergy in the picture is holding a book implies that his exposure to the ideas in the book will most likely be communicated to the community which