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Single Idea 17020

[from 'Principia Mathematica' by Isaac Newton, in 26. Natural Theory / A. Speculations on Nature / 7. Later Matter Theories / b. Corpuscles ]

Full Idea

The attractions of the bodies must be reckoned by assigning proper forces to their individual particles and then taking the sums of those forces.

Gist of Idea

An attraction of a body is the sum of the forces of their particles

Source

Isaac Newton (Principia Mathematica [1687], 1.II.Schol)

Book Reference

Newton,Isaac: 'Philosophical Writings' [CUP 2004], p.86


A Reaction

This is using the parts of bodies to give fundamental explanations, rather than invoking substantial forms. The parts need not be atoms.