more from Robert Boyle

Single Idea 15965

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 1. Powers]

Full Idea

Boyle attacks an idea of powers, held by some modern schoolmen and chemists, that makes powers occult.

Gist of Idea

Boyle attacked a contemporary belief that powers were occult things

Source

report of Robert Boyle (The Origin of Forms and Qualities [1666]) by Peter Alexander - Ideas, Qualities and Corpuscles 03.3

Book Reference

Alexander,Peter: 'Ideas, Qualities and Corpuscles' [CUP 1985], p.72


A Reaction

[This involves Boyle's famous example of a key having the power to turn a lock] On p.86 Alexander says the 'occult' belief is in affinities, antipathies, attractions and repulsions. How did Boyle explain magnetism?