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Full Idea
When I wrote my treatise about our system, I had an eye upon such principles as might work with considering men, for the belief of a deity.
Gist of Idea
The principles of my treatise are designed to fit with a belief in God
Source
Isaac Newton (Letters to Bentley [1692], 1692.12.10)
Book Ref
Newton,Isaac: 'Philosophical Writings' [CUP 2004], p.94
A Reaction
Harré quotes this, and it shows that the rather passive view of nature Newton developed was to be supplemented by the active power of God. Without God, we need a more active view of nature.
| 15863 | The principles of my treatise are designed to fit with a belief in God [Newton] |
| 13150 | The motions of the planets could only derive from an intelligent agent [Newton] |
| 8340 | I do not pretend to know the cause of gravity [Newton] |
| 13151 | Not all infinites are equal [Newton] |
| 13152 | We can talk of 'innumerable number', about the infinite points on a line [Newton] |
| 12178 | That gravity should be innate and essential to matter is absurd [Newton] |