Gabrielle Emilie Le Tonnelier de Breteuil Du Châtelet
Dissertation sur la nature et la propagation du feu
"Dissertation sur la nature et la propagation du feu" by Du Châtelet is a scientific publication written in the early 18th century. The work delves into the nature of fire, exploring its properties and effects, as well as its interactions with various materials. It aims to clarify misconceptions and provide a systematic analysis of fire, challenging the prevailing notions of the time. The opening of this dissertation introduces the author’s intent and the academic context in which it was created. It explains that the work was composed for an academic prize and subsequently printed due to its intellectual merit, despite not winning. Du Châtelet begins her examination by questioning the common associations of fire with heat and light, arguing that these are not its essential qualities. She presents various experiments and observations to discuss the complexity of fire, asserting that it cannot be solely defined by sensory perceptions, thereby setting the stage for a deeper philosophical and scientific investigation into its true essence and behavior.