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Full Idea
17th century mechanists said that interactions governed by chemical, electrical or gravitational forces would have to be explicable in terms of the operation of some atomistic (or corpuscular) kinetic mechanism.
Gist of Idea
17th century mechanists explained everything by the kinetic physical fundamentals
Source
Stuart Glennan (Mechanisms [2008], 'Intro')
Book Ref
'Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Science', ed/tr. Psillos,S/Curd,M [Routledge 2010], p.377
A Reaction
Glennan says science has rejected this, so modern mechanists do not reduce mechanisms to anything in particular.
| 17494 | Since causal events are related by mechanisms, causation can be analysed in that way [Glennan] |
| 17493 | Modern mechanism need parts with spatial, temporal and function facts, and diagrams [Glennan] |
| 17487 | Mechanistic philosophy of science is an alternative to the empiricist law-based tradition [Glennan] |
| 17489 | Mechanisms are either systems of parts or sequences of activities [Glennan] |
| 17490 | 17th century mechanists explained everything by the kinetic physical fundamentals [Glennan] |
| 17488 | Empiricist theories are sets of laws, which give explanations and reductions [Glennan] |
| 17491 | Unlike the lawlike approach, mechanistic explanation can allow for exceptions [Glennan] |