Single Idea 20967

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 1. Mechanics / c. Forces]

Full Idea

Newton has a general law about the effects of his forces, ...but there is no corresponding general principle about the causes of such forces.

Gist of Idea

Newton's laws cover the effects of forces, but not their causes

Source

report of Isaac Newton (Principia Mathematica [1687]) by David Papineau - Thinking about Consciousness App 3

Book Reference

Papineau,David: 'Thinking about Consciousness' [OUP 2004], p.238


A Reaction

I'm not sure that Einstein gives a cause of gravity either. This seems to be part of the scientific 'instrumentalist' view of nature, which is incredibly useful but very superficial.