Single Idea 14171

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 1. Mechanics / c. Forces]

Full Idea

A force is the supposed cause of acceleration, ...but an acceleration is a mere mathematical fiction, a number, not a physical fact.

Gist of Idea

Force is supposed to cause acceleration, but acceleration is a mathematical fiction

Source

Bertrand Russell (The Principles of Mathematics [1903], §448)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Principles of Mathematics' [Routledge 1992], p.474


A Reaction

This rests on his at-at theory of motion, in Idea 14168. I'm not sure that if I fell off a cliff I could be reassured on the way down that my acceleration was just a mathematical fiction.

Related Idea

Idea 14168 Occupying a place and change are prior to motion, so motion is just occupying places at continuous times [Russell]