BOOK REVIEW - Isaac Newton's Freemasonry

Isaac Newton's Freemasonry by Alain Bauer © 2007 Inner Traditions ISBN
1-59477-172-3 146 pages Paperback $14.95

Isaac Newton is best known to the work-a-day world as a scientist who
devoted his time and efforts to bringing enlightenment to the world. He was
all of this, and more. This book explored the relationship between Newton
and Freemasonry. What gives it unusual authority is the fact that Monsieur
Bauer was, at the time he authored this work (2003), the Grand master of the
Grand Orient of France. This is a translation of his work, the original of
which was produced under the authority of the Masonic Institute of France.

M. Bauer draws a needed distinction between secret societies, which
Freemasonry is, and occult groups as they are normally perceived. The
secret rituals of Freemasonry are designed to convey information, not
magickal power.

One must bear in mind the difference between the scientific worlds of the
17th and 21st centuries. In the 17th century astrology and alchemy were as
much a part of scientific education as string theory and quantum mechanics
are in this century. The "scientific method" had not yet become a
foundation of experimental science. Thus Sir Isaac Newton could write on
optics, gravity, and alchemical theory without fear of losing standing in
any of those fields. It was not yet a time of specialization in scientific
endeavors.

Newton was instrumental in the formation of speculative (or non-operative)
Masonry, and saw it as a method of encouraging and promoting free thought.

It is not necessary to be a Mason to appreciate the work and research which
has gone into this book. In fact, in some cases it can be advantageous to
be an outsider. There have been years of propaganda, both pro and con,
which have affected the perceptions of Masonry. Much of this propaganda has
come from anti-Masonic forces, but there has been disinformation put forth
by Masons as well.

The appendices, which form a large portion of this book consist of a summary
of the history of Freemasonry (both mythological and scientific); lists of
the Grand Masters of England (Grand Lodge of England, Grand Lodge of York,
Grand Lodge of Ancients, and Grand Lodge of Scotland); a timeline of events
leading to the Grand Lodge of England; a timeline of the Grand Lodge of
France; and a dialogue between a Town Mason and a Traveling Mason, which
explains how Masons recognized one another.