Abstract
What is commonly termed ‘Newton’s theory of gravitation’ is presented in his book Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy (1687) in the following way. Eight definitions are first given, including, for example, the definition of quantity of matter (mass) as the product of density and volume. These definitions afforded, Newton next presents three axioms, or laws of motion, which are:
-
1.
Every body continues in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a straight line, unless it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed on it.
-
2.
Change of motion is proportional to the force impressed, and is made in the direction of the straight line in which the force is impressed.
-
3.
The forces two bodies exert on each other are always equal and opposite in direction.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Cf. e.g. Hanson (1958), pp. 97ff., and Ellis (1965), pp. 61–62.
For the sake of readability none of the laws considered in the present chapter have been expressed as equations.
For a distinction between laws and theories along this line, see Feyerabend (1962), p. 28 n. We note that, as remarked in earlier chapters, Popper’s conception of science does not afford the making of this distinction, and that Popper himself treats Kepler’s laws as constituting a scientific theory: cf. e.g. Popper (1957), p. 198.
Cf. Duhem (1906), p. 193, and Popper (1957), pp. 200ff.
For comments on Galileo’s two laws in this regard see Krajewski (1977), pp. 18 & 26. (We note however that it may be the case that the depiction of an idealized model need not in itself suffice for an expression’s being that of a theory, though this question will not be pursued here.)
Cf. the scholium following Proposition X, Problem V in Book I of Newton (1687).
Popper (1957), p. 202.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Dilworth, G. (1986). Application of the Perspectivist Conception to the Views of Newton Kepler and Galileo. In: Scientific Progress. Synthese Library, vol 153. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2966-6_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2966-6_13
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-017-2968-0
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-2966-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive