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In 1734 Swedenborg dedicated his book The Infinite and Final Cause of Creation
to Benzelius:
"In you I acknowledge the source of personal benefit, inasmuch as it was
by your advice and wishes, that my mind, then opening and eager for study, although
at that early age, as it is wont to be, hesitating and ignorant as to what pursuits
to turn, was directed to the present and similar subjects, which were auguries
of a personal career in literature And as it was at your instigation that I
applied myself to these studies, so I hope you will in a measure acknowledge
this offspring of my powers, poor though it be, as in some part your own, and
therefore allow that of right it should be dedicated to no one but yourself."
Although Swedenborg's interest in the natural sciences and mathematics may
be attributed to Benzelius' influence, his fascination with the factual and
the concrete also seems quite similar to his father's vigorous concern for a
“down to earth,” practical theology; and his distaste for the purely
abstract in the realm of science is reminiscent of his father's animosity toward
brain only faith and dogmatics in religion. Therefore, it is possible to see
evidence of his father's ecclesiaticism in his scientifical thinking as well
as to hear echoes of Benzelius' rationalism in his theological writing.
SWEDENBORG'S STUDIES ABROAD
In 1710, on the advice of Benzelius, Swedenborg left for England to immerse
himself in the most modern scientific currents of his day; he stayed there for
two years studying mathematics and astronomy. During his stay he also frequented
the shops of booksellers and instrument makers in order to enlarge his library
and his knowledge, and while in London he lived with a variety of different
journeymen in order to learn their trades. In this way he learned the arts of
engraving, making mathematical instruments and cabinetry, and later in Holland
he learned glass-grinding as well.
While in England Swedenborg studied with the astronomers John Flamsteed and
Edmund Halley and, perhaps during conversations with them, became intrigued
by the competition seeking a reliable means to find the longitude at sea. He
devoted considerable time and energy to solving the problem, and it is clear
from his letters that he discussed his solution with both Flamsteed and Halley.
His method required exact lunar tables, which were unavailable at the time.
In spite of the criticism his method received, he continued to have confidence
in his idea, perhaps because the problem was not finally resolved until the
1740s, when John Harrison perfected a chronometer, successfully used by James
Cook. Swedenborg published his method in 1718 and again in 1769. At the time
of his second publication, he presented his method to the Royal Society in England.
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