A fascinating study of how Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin,
John Adams, and James Madison applied science to their political
thinking. In terms of scientific competence, Cohen (History of
Science/Harvard Univ.) finds much to praise in Jefferson and
Franklin. Jefferson the polymath persuaded George Washington to
adopt his method of apportioning members to the House of
Representatives rather than one proposed by Alexander Hamilton. The
Declaration of Independence pays homage to Isaac Newton with its
"self-evident truths" (i.e., axioms) and its opening lines
concerning the "Laws of Nature and Nature's God." Franklin's
contributions to the field of electricity go well beyond flying a
kite in a thunderstorm, Cohen shows. The French idolized him as a
scientist and a self-made man, making him extraordinarily effective
in ensuring French aid in 1776. Franklin also anticipated Malthus
with statements about population growth in relation to sustenance,
and he provided powerful demographic arguments as to why England
should annex Canada after the French and Indian War. Adams, while
well taught and an aficionado of science, got his physics wrong; he
thought he was referencing Newton's laws of motion in speaking of
the "balance of powers" or "checks and balances" in the
Constitution, but the correct analogy is to laws of statics and
equilibrium. Still, he foresaw a future for America in which his
sons should master mathematics and practical sciences so that their
children in turn could study painting, poetry, and music. In brief
comments on The Federalist, Cohen notes that Madison's science
metaphors were largely medical - a "nerveless empire," an "ailing
government," etc. At times the text is repetitious; at times, Cohen
wields a heavy hand in attacking earlier commentators (including
Woodrow Wilson). Nevertheless, the founding fathers appear in an
interesting new light, thanks to Cohen's fresh, not to say
iconoclastic, vision. (Kirkus Reviews)
Science in the Political Thought of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and James Madison
"Intellectually engaging . . . deftly written" (Boston Globe). . . . "The founding fathers appear in an interesting new light, thanks to Cohen's fresh, not to say iconoclastic, vision."--Kirkus Reviews
Thomas Jefferson was the only president who could read and understand Newton's Principia. Benjamin Franklin is credited with establishing the science of electricity. John Adams had the finest education in science that the new country could provide, including "Pnewmaticks, Hydrostaticks, Mechanicks, Staticks, Opticks." James Madison, chief architect of the Constitution, peppered his Federalist Papers with reference to physics, chemistry, and the life sciences.
For these men science was an integral part of life--including political life. This is the story of their scientific education and of how they employed that knowledge in shaping the political issues of the day, incorporating scientific reasoning into the Constitution. General readers, students of American history, and professional historians alike will profit from reading this engaging presentation of an aspect of American history conspicuously absent from the usual textbooks and popular presentations of the political thought of this crucial period.
I. Bernard Cohen is Victor S. Thomas Professor Emeritus of the History of Science at Harvard University. He lives in Belmont, Massachusetts.
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