In 1687, Isaac Newton published "Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica" (the "Principia") a work which represents the greatest single advance in the history of science and human thought. In 1987, Queen's University, the Royal Military College of Canada, and the Royal Society of Canada sponsored a series of public lectures and seminars to celebrate the tercentenary of the publication of the "Principia."

This lively collection of lectures presented at the symposium by prominent scholars was collected and edited by Marcia Stayer with the assistance of Boris Castel. The chapters outline the influence of the "Principia" on the work of Newton's contemporaries - such as Adam Smith - and on many areas of present-day science: particle physics, optics, astronomy, and non-mechanical fields such as computer theory. Contributors include A.P. French, Werner Israel, W.H. Newton-Smith, David Raphael, Stephen Smale, Steven Weinberg, Richard S. Westfall, and Denys Wilkinson.

This book will be of interest to both general readers and students of science.