Essay on Machines in General (1786) - (Logic, Epistemology, and the Unity of Science) by Raffaele Pisano & Jennifer Coopersmith & Murray Peake

Book Synopsis

This book offers insights relevant to modern history and epistemology of physics,

mathematics and, indeed, to all the sciences and engineering disciplines emerging

of 19th century. This research volume is the first of a set of three Springer books on

Lazare Nicolas Marguérite Carnot's (1753-1823) remarkable work: Essay on Machines in

General (Essai sur les machines en général [1783] 1786). The other two forthcoming

volumes are: Principes fondamentaux de l'équilibre et du mouvement (1803) and

Géométrie de position (1803).

Lazare Carnot - l'organisateur de la victoire - in Essai sur le machine en général (1786)

assumed that the generalization of machines was a necessity for society and its economic

development. Subsequently, his new coming science applied to machines attracted

considerable interest for technician, as well, already in the 1780's. With no lack in

rigour, Carnot used geometric and trigonometric rather than algebraic arguments, and

usually went on to explain in words what the formulae contained. His main physical-

mathematical concepts were the Geometric motion and Moment of activity-concept of

Work . In particular, he found the invariants of the transmission of motion (by stating

the principle of the moment of the quantity of motion) and theorized the condition of

the maximum efficiency of mechanical machines (i.e., principle of continuity in the

transmission of power).

While the core theme remains the theories and historical studies of the text, the book

contains an extensive Introduction and an accurate critical English Translation -

including the parallel text edition and substantive critical/explicative notes - of Essai

sur les machines en général (1786). The authors offer much-needed insight into the

relation between mechanics, mathematics and engineering from a conceptual, empirical

and methodological, and universalis point of view. As a cutting-edge writing by

leading authorities on the history of physics and mathematics, and epistemological

aspects, it appeals to historians, epistemologist-philosophers and scientists (physicists,

mathematicians and applied sciences and technology).

From the Back Cover

This book offers insights relevant to modern history and epistemology of physics,

mathematics and, indeed, to all the sciences and engineering disciplines emerging

of 19th century. This research volume is the first of a set of three Springer books on

Lazare Nicolas Marguérite Carnot's (1753-1823) remarkable work: Essay on Machines in

General (Essai sur les machines en général [1783] 1786). The other two forthcoming

volumes are: Principes fondamentaux de l'équilibre et du mouvement (1803) and

Géométrie de position (1803).

Lazare Carnot - l'organisateur de la victoire - in Essai sur le machine en général (1786)

assumed that the generalization of machines was a necessity for society and its economic

development. Subsequently, his new coming science applied to machines attracted

considerable interest for technician, as well, already in the 1780's. With no lack in

rigour, Carnot used geometric and trigonometric rather than algebraic arguments, and

usually went on to explain in words what the formulae contained. His main physical-

mathematical concepts were the Geometric motion and Moment of activity-concept of

Work . In particular, he found the invariants of the transmission of motion (by stating

the principle of the moment of the quantity of motion) and theorized the condition of

the maximum efficiency of mechanical machines (i.e., principle of continuity in the

transmission of power).

While the core theme remains the theories and historical studies of the text, the book

contains an extensive Introduction and an accurate critical English Translation -

including the parallel text edition and substantive critical/explicative notes - of Essai

sur les machines en général (1786). The authors offer much-needed insight into the

relation between mechanics, mathematics and engineering from a conceptual, empirical

and methodological, and universalis point of view. As a cutting-edge writing by

leading authorities on the history of physics and mathematics, and epistemological

aspects, it appeals to historians, epistemologist-philosophers and scientists (physicists,

mathematicians and applied sciences and technology).

About the Author

Prof. Dr. Raffaele Pisano, HDR (Italy, 1970) is a Physicist and Full Professor at the IEMN CNRS-Lille University, Lille, France. His fields of research teaching are: History of Physics, History of Physics-Mathematics/Theoretical Physics, History of Applied Sciences and Technology, Historical Epistemology of Science, Comparative and Intellectual History, NoS History of Science & Teaching. Since 2017, he is elected President of the Inter-Divisional Teaching Commission(DLMPST/IUHPST/DHST).

Dr. Jennifer Coopersmith is a physicist, philosopher, and writer of general physics books. Honorary Research Associate, University of La Trobe, Melbourne, Australia.

Murray Peake is a retired Information Technology consultant now living in Brittany.