Newton’s endless legacy

By Herman M. Lagon

Every now and then, humanity comes across a profoundly transformed mind that makes the world never look the same again. As someone who has spent 23 years teaching physics in high school and college, Sir Isaac Newton is the ultimate example for me. Teaching his laws of motion or solving the riddle of universal gravitation always feels like revealing a masterwork—each idea sharp, clear, and yet endlessly significant. Calling Newton the rock star of physics and science is not hyperbole; his work not only shaped current science but still shapes our understanding of the universe.

Born prematurely on Christmas Day in 1642, Newton’s life was not destined for brilliance—at least not by traditional criteria. Before his birth, his father passed away; his mother left him in the care of his grandparents while preoccupied with her problems. Newton displayed early indications of an intense curiosity. Most kids played, but Newton created sundials, toy windmills, and complex mechanical devices. Still, his intellectual fire burned most during his time at Cambridge University and subsequently during his two years alone as the Great Plague tore over England.

Newton’s period of solitude was almost a creative explosion. Just twenty-three years old, he established the basis of calculus, investigated the nature of light, and thought of the universal law of gravitation. Imagine a young man staring at a falling apple not just as fruit falling to the Earth’s pull but also as a symbol of the cosmic laws guiding everything from small pebbles to the moon itself, isolated from the tumult of the world. Captured in the law of universal gravitation, that insight linked the heavens and the Earth under the same physical laws—a remarkable leap in scientific knowledge redefining our position in the universe.

Every physics student has to memorize their three laws of motion, which are pretty basic but infinitely relevant. These rules are the foundation of mechanics, whether one explains why a jeepney stops and throws passengers forward or why basketball players must use force to change direction mid-dribble. Newton distilled complex events into graceful, generally applicable truths. His work is timeless in the academic halls of MIT or Oxford and the beaches of Boracay, thanks significantly to this clarity and universality.

Newton’s genius went much beyond apples and formulas. His work in optics revealed that white light is not pure but rather a mix of colors—a discovery that turned our perspective of light upside down. Apart from being a technical wonder, his creation of the reflecting telescope was a helpful tool that increased human capacity to view the universe. In a time when superstition occasionally controlled science, Newton’s painstaking experiments were a lighthouse of logical inquiry and intellectual courage.

Even with his extraordinary intelligence, Newton was very human, full of self-doubt and emotional conflict. He was famously reticent, prone to intense rivalries, and went through mental crises. Accounts of his disputes with mathematician Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz over the development of calculus highlight a fiercely competitive side that reminds us that even the best brains are not immune to pettiness and insecurity. These shortcomings, however, also make him relevant—proof that only constant curiosity and endurance define brilliance rather than perfection.

For teachers like me, Newton’s writings provide a framework for fostering inquiry and intellectual courage rather than only scientific rules. When students understand the great simplicity behind F=ma (Force equals mass times acceleration) or realize the same laws controlling a rolling tire apply to satellites orbiting the Earth, their eyes brighten. Every inquisitive question, every student who wonders why objects move or why the universe behaves the way it does, reflects Newton’s legacy, which is not limited to textbooks.

One cannot address Newton without considering his strong spiritual beliefs. Though his religious beliefs were unusual, he thought spirituality and science were entwined. His constant search for knowledge stemmed from his view of the laws of nature as proof of a logical Creator’s design. This reflects, in many respects, the kind of introspective learning I urge in my students—an awareness that, whether spiritual or scientific, research usually results in more humility and a better respect of the complexity of life.

Newton’s influence goes beyond the scientific community. From the physics of cellphones to the trajectory calculations used by NASA’s space missions, his work set the stage for technological breakthroughs that define our current world. Our knowledge of motion, energy, and forces would be crude at best without Newton’s observations. From engineering to economics, even the mathematical instruments he created, including calculus, are still indispensable.

Such basic contributions are easy to overlook in today’s fast-paced, technologically advanced society. Without stopping to honor the intellectual giants who made it possible, we swipe on screens, launch rockets, and model difficult systems. Newton’s life reminds us that behind every scientific advance are many hours of contemplation, failed effort, and unrelenting experimentation. His path from a quiet, reflective young man living in rural England to the most honored scientist in history is evidence of the transforming power of knowledge.

Thinking back on Newton’s legacy the day following his March 20 death anniversary invites us to rekindle a spirit of inquiry in our own lives, not only pay respect. As lifelong learners, we all share a legacy of inventiveness and fortitude—qualities Newton personally embodied. Newton’s example provides direction and hope, whether your interests are those of a teacher trying to inspire, a student struggling with physics, or just someone fascinated about how the world works.

Newton’s best gift was not only his theory of gravitation or laws of motion, but also his show of what human intellect, driven by curiosity and tenacity, can produce. His writings remind us that once discovered, knowledge belongs to everyone; it cuts across generations, languages, and boundaries. So, the next time you see something fall, pause and remember the man who saw the universe’s hidden laws in that simple motion. Beyond any formula or invention, that insight is Newton’s true legacy.

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Doc H fondly describes himself as a “student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.