Newton on action at a distance and the cause of gravity

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 42 (1):154-159 (2011)
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Abstract

In this discussion paper, I seek to challenge Hylarie Kochiras’ recent claims on Newton’s attitude towards action at a distance, which will be presented in Section 1. In doing so, I shall include the positions of Andrew Janiak and John Henry in my discussion and present my own tackle on the matter . Additionally, I seek to strengthen Kochiras’ argument that Newton sought to explain the cause of gravity in terms of secondary causation . I also provide some specification on what Kochiras calls ‘Newton’s substance counting problem’ . In conclusion, I suggest a historical correction .Keywords: Isaac Newton ; Action at a distance; Cause of gravity; Fourth letter to Bentley

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2012-02-25

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Steffen Ducheyne
University of Ghent

Citations of this work

Three concepts of causation in Newton.Andrew Janiak - 2013 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 44 (3):396-407.
Gravity’s cause and substance counting: contextualizing the problems.Hylarie Kochiras - 2011 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 42 (1):167-184.
Gravity’s cause and substance counting: contextualizing the problems.Hylarie Kochiras - 2011 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 42 (1):167-184.
Newton's “law-first” epistemology and “matter-first” metaphysics.Caleb Hazelwood - 2023 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 101 (C):40-47.

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References found in this work

Newton as Philosopher.Andrew Janiak - 2008 - New York: Cambridge University Press.
The Correspondence of Isaac Newton.Isaac Newton & H. W. Turnbull - 1961 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 12 (47):255-258.
Newton and the reality of force.Andrew Janiak - 2007 - Journal of the History of Philosophy 45 (1):127-147.
Newton on Matter and Activity.Ralph C. S. Walker & Ernan McMullin - 1980 - Philosophical Quarterly 30 (120):249.
Gravity and Newton’s Substance Counting Problem.Hylarie Kochiras - 2009 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 40 (3):267-280.

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