Single Idea 15958

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 1. Mechanics / b. Laws of motion]

Full Idea

Newton's principle of inertia implies a rejection of the Aristotelian idea of natural states to which things naturally return.

Gist of Idea

Inertia rejects the Aristotelian idea of things having natural states, to which they return

Source

report of Isaac Newton (Principia Mathematica [1687]) by Peter Alexander - Ideas, Qualities and Corpuscles 02.3

Book Reference

Alexander,Peter: 'Ideas, Qualities and Corpuscles' [CUP 1985], p.57


A Reaction

I think we can safely say that Aristotle was wrong about this. Aristotle made too much (such as the gravity acting on a thing) intrinsic to the bodies, when the whole context must be seen.