Isaac Newton latest historical figure swept up in ‘decolonisation’ drive
Sir Isaac Newton has been labelled as a potential beneficiary of colonial-era activity in draft plans to decolonise the engineering curriculum at Sheffield University.
Students learning about the mathematician and scientist s three laws of motion, the core of modern physics, could see changes in their teaching to explain the global origins and historical context of his theories, documents suggest.
The plans form part of the engineering faculty s efforts to challenge long-standing conscious and unconscious biases among students to tackle Eurocentric and white saviour approaches to science and maths, and promote inclusive design .
A leaked copy of the draft inclusive curriculum development plan at the Russell Group institution says that much important engineering content and curriculum resources is based on maths developed in the 18/19th century.”
It claims pioneering scientists including Paul Dirac, Pierre-Simon Laplace, Newton, and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz could be considered as benefiting from colonial era activity .
Goodness this is confusing. If we throw out Newton, can we keep his laws? Because they work pretty well, I understand.