Science, despite its image of rigor and objectivity, has been the scene of some epic rivalries that have fueled the flame of innovation and left stories to remember.
Let’s imagine two intellectual titans, each in their corner of the world, forging a new language to understand the universe. Both, unknowingly, were about to unleash one of the fiercest scientific disputes in history.
More than 300 years ago, Isaac Newton (1643-1727). the reclusive English genius, and Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716), the versatile German philosopher, were in a race against time to decipher the mysteries of continuous change. The result of this competition would be a mathematical tool as powerful as it was revolutionary: infinitesimal calculus.
But the story doesn’t end there. When their paths crossed, and it was discovered that both had reached similar conclusions independently, the harmony transformed into a fierce battle for the paternity of this new branch of knowledge.
Who was the real inventor of calculus? Was it Newton, the solitary genius who developed his ideas in secret for years? Or was it Leibniz, the man of a thousand ideas who spread them rapidly throughout Europe?
The crux of the matter: who invented calculus?
Infinitesimal calculus is like the “superpower” of mathematics: it allows you to analyze continuous change and solve problems that were previously unimaginable. Both Newton and Leibniz, working independently, developed very effective tools to arrive at this calculation. The problem arose when both tried to claim paternity of this invention.
Newton, a serious and somewhat grumpy guy, was a self-taught genius who had developed his version of calculus years before Leibniz. However, he was slower to publish it. Leibniz, for his part, was a more sociable and outgoing guy, who quickly spread his ideas throughout Europe.
The dispute intensified when it was discovered that the notations and methods of both were strikingly similar. Were we facing a coincidence or was it simply plagiarism? The scientific community was divided into two camps, each defending its champion.
The war of words
The rivalry between Newton and Leibniz became a war of words, with mutual accusations of plagiarism, reproaches and personal attacks. Newton, with the support of the Royal Society of London, attempted to discredit Leibniz and his followers. Leibniz, for his part, had the support of the Berlin Academy of Sciences.
This dispute had lasting consequences on the development of mathematics. For decades, English and continental mathematicians refused to use the notations and methods of the other side, which slowed the advancement of the discipline.
In the end, there was no clear winner in this story. Both scientists made fundamental contributions to the development of infinitesimal calculus. However, the rivalry between them left a deep mark on the history of science.
The rivalry between Newton and Leibniz is a fascinating story that shows us the most human side of science. And, although at times it may seem ridiculous and comical, it reminds us that even the most brilliant geniuses can fall into the temptation of vanity and competition.
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