Was Archimedes short on Principles?

Answer 1

"give me a lever long enough and i can lift the world " was one of his famous principles of leverage..... "dont walk on my circles" was what he said to roman soldiers as they marched past his drawings in the sand when he discovered the mathematical square root to everything, 1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34,55 and so on... this mathematical principle is still used even today by scientists astrologers and even n.a.s.a..... so no is the answer to your question because alot of his principles are still in use today from someone who lived over 2000 years ago

Answer 2

Happy tequila knows entirely too much information about Archemides sexual life.


Back to the question:

Archimedes possessed so high a spirit, so profound a soul, and such treasures of scientific knowledge, that though these inventions had now obtained him the renown of more than human sagacity, he yet would not deign to leave behind him any commentary or writing on such subjects; but, repudiating as sordid and ignoble the whole trade of engineering, and every sort of art that lends itself to mere use and profit, he placed his whole affection and ambition in those purer speculations where there can be no reference to the vulgar needs of life; studies, the superiority of which to all others is unquestioned, and in which the only doubt can be whether the beauty and grandeur of the subjects examined, of the precision and cogency of the methods and means of proof, most deserve our admiration.

In this paragraph where Plutarch describes Archimedes dedication to geometry it is evident that although Archimedes used his knowledge for inventing machines of war, he did not want to be remembered in such a way. Instead he dedicated himself to geometry because Archemedes believed that pure mathematics was the only worthy pursuit. So, to answer the question of Archimedes being short on principles. I beleive that although his principles should have guided him towards mathematics, they instead guided him toward the invention of war engines. These inventions were more appreciated by the people of Archimedes time than that of mathematics.
Which leads to the conclusion that yes Archimedes may have been short on principles and maybe he had his reasons for doing what he did.

Answer 3

Archimedes short on Principles ... no but he did like a good screw

Answer 4

no i don't think Archimedes was short for Principles? why would anyone think that?

Answer 5

I should say so - running through the streets starkers, yelling at the top of his voice - positively uncouth.

Answer 6

hmm lets check the yellow pages.

Answer 7

No he was just short. (cksq)