Single Idea 17009

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / c. Essence and laws]

Full Idea

If someone explains gravity along with all its laws by the action of some subtle matter, and shows that the motion of the planets and comets will not be disturbed by this matter, I shall be far from objecting.

Gist of Idea

I won't object if someone shows that gravity consistently arises from the action of matter

Source

Isaac Newton (Letters to Leibniz 1 [1693], 1693.10.16)

Book Reference

Newton,Isaac: 'Philosophical Writings' [CUP 2004], p.109


A Reaction

Important if you think that Newton is the hero of the descriptive regularity theory of laws. Newton probably thought laws came from God, but he wouldn't object to Leibniz's view, that God planted the laws within the matter.

Related Idea

Idea 17023 I am not saying gravity is essential to bodies [Newton]