Franz Aepinus’ Mathematization
摘要
This chapter investigates Franz Aepinus’ theory of electrical phenomena. His ideas were based on Benjamin Franklin’s one fluid theory, but with a Newtonian action-at-a-distance replacing Franklin’s electrical atmospheres. His explanations, most heavily mathematized, and the influence of mathematics in devising arguments and experiments show that his theory was mathematics-oriented instead of mechanistic-oriented (Johann Euler’s case).