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Single Idea 12724

[from 'Principia Mathematica' by Isaac Newton, in 27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 1. Mechanics / c. Forces ]

Full Idea

The basic problem of philosophy seems to be to discover the forces of nature from the phenomena of motions and then to demonstrate the other phenomena from these forces.

Gist of Idea

The aim is to discover forces from motions, and use forces to demonstrate other phenomena

Source

Isaac Newton (Principia Mathematica [1687], Pref 1st ed), quoted by Daniel Garber - Leibniz:Body,Substance,Monad 4

Book Reference

Garber,Daniel: 'Leibniz: Body, Substance, Monad' [OUP 2009], p.173


A Reaction

This fits in with the description-of-regularity approach to laws which Newton had acquired from Galileo, rather than the essentialist attitude to forces of Leibniz, though Newton has smatterings of essentialism.