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It
is beyond any doubt that Sir Isaac Newton was not only one of the most
brilliant scientific minds the world has ever encountered, but also one
of the most influential. His incredible volume of work, and his
remarkable theories helped to define modern science. Sir Isaac Newton
is rightfully renowned for his work as a philosopher (Newton was a
deeply devote man of Christianity, reputed to have spent more time with
his bible than his science books), mathematician, alchemist, and
perhaps his most famous role, a groundbreaking physicist.
Like many of the wisest men in history Newton is a reported recluse -
only one small romance is ever credited to his name, a teenage
relationship with the stepdaughter of a man he was lodging with at the
time. The relationship was short lived and from thereon out Newton is
said to have lived his life as a bachelor. However a thoroughly modern
theory has developed as of late which may begin to shed some light on
the reasons behind why Newton was - despite all his fame, brilliance,
and reputation - such a secluded, quiet, and perhaps even withdrawn
person. Asperger's syndrome.
Hundreds of years after the great scientist passed away, the idea that
he may have suffered from this unique form of autism (a heritable
condition, that is sometimes seen in families of people who have
particularly high interests in maths and science) sprang to life. It is
a condition that is thought to be present from birth, and which is
classified as a form of "high functioning autism". In other words those
who suffer from this condition are believed to be able to function
relatively "normally" in society, yet they share certain characteristic
traits.
Many with Asperger's (which is thought to be more prevalent in men than
women) have above average intelligence. For example Albert Einstein,
Carl Jung, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Nikola Tesla are among the
growing list of great minds that are also suspected of having had this
condition. They display an atypical personality, often having highly
focused, concentrated interests in only a few subjects (which they
engross themselves in rigorously), and a late development of speech and
language skills, or other language oddities. In a nutshell it appears
that those with Asperger's are somehow devoid of the innate capacity to
see and follow the usual ways of social interaction, and do not
inherently know how to share and express their own feelings in social
situations (lack of "normal" body language, etc). In other words they
become fast targets for the somewhat misguided term "loner", a word
that is repeatedly linked to Isaac Newton.
Many with Asperger's develop an almost obsessive level of interest in a
particular field or subject (which can be virtually anything) or two,
they may spend every available moment of their time on this subject and
rarely seem to have patience for things that are not related to their
passions. So engrossed was he in his work that Newton invented the cat
flap (a hinged "door" or flap of material that a cat can enter and
leave the house from) just to avoid having to get up and let the cat
out.
Under these guidelines it seems that Newton was a hallmark example of
Asperger's syndrome. A quiet and subdued man, Isaac Newton is said to
have rarely spoken. In fact, despite being a member of the British
parliament for two years, the only comment ever credited to him in the
Parliamentary records was a request that a drafty window be closed.
When it came to his friends, they were somewhat few and far between,
and those he did have were often treated with only a moderate level of
friendship. Deeply devoted to his beliefs and the subjects he studied
and wrote on, Newton even gave lectures to vacant halls when no one
showed up at his speeches.
In the later half of his eighty four year life, Newton suffered a
nervous breakdown, depression, and perhaps even paranoia. All these
things give weight to the idea that he may have suffered from
Asperger's Syndrome, yet they do not for a second detract from the
brilliant, influential work that Newton carried out in his lifetime.
For whether he did in fact have some form of autism or whether he was
just exceptionally zealous and devoted to his interests is of little
relevance. What matters are the extraordinary discoveries, ideas and
legacy that this quiet English genius has given to the world.
An avid and deeply passionate medical writer, Jessica Cander was
delighted to be able to tie the subject of Sir Isaac Newton to
Asperger's Syndrome, as well as some of the scientific aspects of this
great mastermind's life. Whether she is writing about health, the
latest medical research findings or looking up facts about Isaac Newton
Jessica enjoys turning to http://www.answers.com for great information.
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