Full Idea
There is no doubt that the nature of cold and hot are taken from the swiftness and slowness of the motion of corpuscules.
Gist of Idea
Cold and hot are the swiftness and slowness of corpuscular motion
Source
Isaac Beeckman (Journals [1617], I:132), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 19.6
Book Reference
Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.420
A Reaction
This is so right it takes your breath away. For 'corpuscles' we should normally read 'molecules'. Atomism is a further refinement. This is the rejection of the orthodox view of separate qualities.