Join us on November 11th as New College Franklin hosts a collegium lecture by Dr. Phillip Johnson entitled "James Clark Maxwell: Presbyterian Elder, Trained Classicist, Greater than Newton"
"Though known today almost exclusively, if at all, for the fundamental equations which govern electro-magnetic theory, James Clerk Maxwell's breadth of scientific discovery and general intellectual interests were combined with a deep personal piety that has not been seen since his time. He discovered the nature of Saturn's rings, the velocity distribution of molecules in the air, the RGB color theory, and united the fields of electricity, magnetism, and light. This latter discovery would be the seminal idea in overcoming the mechanical philosophy of his time. Yet this was a man who did not study science until his late teenage years, would continually add references to Plato's dialogues (in Greek) in his personal correspondence and would administer communion while spending his Sunday afternoon reading the 'divines'. This biographical talk will present Maxwell's life and ideas from science, philosophy, and religion, and their intersections with insights gleaned for an approach to such topics in our time."
Can’t join us in person? Check out our live stream here: