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Newton on Matter and Space in De gravitatione et aequipondio fluidorum

Kochiras, H. (2012) Newton on Matter and Space in De gravitatione et aequipondio fluidorum. In: UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

This paper explicates the concepts of matter and space that Newton develops in De gravitatione. As I interpret Newton’s account of created substances, bodies are constructed from qualities alone, as configured by God. Although regions of space and then “determined quantities of extension” appear to replace the Aristotelian substrate by functioning as property-bearers, they actually serve only as logical subjects. An implication of the interpretation I develop is that only space is extended by having parts outside parts; material bodies are spatially extended only in a derivative sense, via the presence of their constitutive qualities or powers in space.

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Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Kochiras, H.kochiras@nec.ro
Additional Information: This paper, presented on June 14, 2012 at the 7th Quadrennial Fellows Conference, is an excerpt from Kochiras: “By ye Divine Arm: God and Substance in De gravitatione“, currently under review.
Keywords: Isaac Newton, Matter, Space
Subjects: General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science
Depositing User: Dr. H. Kochiras
Date Deposited: 20 Jun 2012 12:38
Last Modified: 13 Jul 2012 00:00
Item ID: 9176
Subjects: General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science
Date: 2012
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9176

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