Full Idea
The moderns - rejecting substantial forms and occult qualities - have undertaken to reduce the phenomena of nature to mathematical laws.
Gist of Idea
We have given up substantial forms, and now aim for mathematical laws
Source
Isaac Newton (Principia Mathematica [1687], Preface)
Book Reference
Newton,Isaac: 'Philosophical Writings' [CUP 2004], p.41
A Reaction
This is the simplest statement of the apparent anti-Aristotelian revolution in the seventeenth century.
Related Idea
Idea 17009 I won't object if someone shows that gravity consistently arises from the action of matter [Newton]