The inverse square law of gravity was not Newton's unique insight but was discussed by multiple contemporaries including Christian Huygens in the Netherlands and Robert Hooke; none of them had Newton's mathematical skill, and it took social pressure from Halley and others for Newton to write up his solution, resulting in the Principia Mathematica.
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Sean CarrollEvidence Quote
“It wasn't only Isaac Newton who had this idea of the inverse square law. Christian Huygens in the Netherlands... Robert Hook... batted around the idea that maybe gravity is described by an inverse square law... And they basically cajjoli who was a young stver at the time to go up to Cambridge from London visit Isaac Newton and say could you please solve this math problem for us... And Newton eventually wrote the Prancipia Mathematica the most important book in the history of physics so even the Great discoveries made by individuals come about because of a social context.”
Created: 8/11/2026, 7:47:10 AM
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