Mathematical Modeling: The Whewellian Influence on Maxwell's Geometrical Analogies

Authors

  • Jacob Kovacs-Goodman Stanford University

Keywords:

Maxwell, Whewell, analogy, history of science

Abstract

A critical look at James Clerk Maxwell's usage of mathematical modeling for his thoeretical style. Specific insight highlighted by exposing Maxwell's relationship to William Whewell. Conclusions drawn from works including Maxwell's "Paper of the Description of Oval Curves", "On Faraday's Lines of Force", "Analogies in Nature", The Theory of Molecules, and Whewell's "On Mathemataical Reasoning".

 

Author Biography

  • Jacob Kovacs-Goodman, Stanford University

    Jacob Kovacs-Goodman is a Stanford University student studying Classics and Philosophy.

Downloads

Published

2013-03-25

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2013)

Section

Research Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

    1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

    1. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

  1. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).