Complex Itinerary of Leibniz’s Planetary Theory

Paolo Bussotti's research includes history of mathematics, physics and astronomy; philosophy of mathematics; mathematics education and history of technology. He is the author of numerous scientific publications, among them books on the history of number theory and history of geometry as well as articles that appeared in important journals (Studies in History and Philosophy of Science; Rendiconti Lincei: Matematica e Applicazioni).He received the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship from the Ludwig Maximilians University (Munich) and from the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Science (Berlin).

• Foreword.- 1.An Introduction: The Historical-Conceptual Reference Frame.- 2.Description of the most Important Elements of Leibniz’s Planetary Theory.- 3.An Interlude: Leibniz’s Concept of Inertia.- 4.The Final Version of Leibniz’s Planetary Theory.- 5.Gravity and Cosmology.- 6.Kepler’s Influence on Leibniz’s Planetary Theory, Physics and Philosophy.- 7.Conclusions.- References.

“Bussotti has made a determined effort to convey its technical content in both the published and unpublished sources. His book will be a standard source for understanding ethereal physics and the reception of Newton's dynamics at the end of the seventeenth century. The fascination of the material is evident in the detailed exposition provided by the author. The book also breaks welcome new ground in documenting the influence of Kepler on Leibniz.” (Craig G. Fraser, Mathematical Reviews, May, 2016)