Boyle on science and the mechanical philosophy: a reply to Chalmers

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 33 (1):171-186 (2002)
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Abstract

Robert Boyle thought that his scientific achievements in pneumatics and chemistry depended on, and thus provided support for, his mechanical philosophy. In a recent article in this journal, Alan Chalmers has challenged this view. This paper consists of a reply to Chalmers on two fronts. First it tries to specify precisely what ‘the mechanical philosophy’ meant for Boyle. Then it goes on to defend, against Chalmers, the view that Boyle's science does support his natural philosophy.Keywords: Robert Boyle; Mechanical philosophy; Reductionism.

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10.1016/s0039-3681(01)00035-8

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Andrew Pyle
University of Bristol

Citations of this work

Mechanism and purpose: A case for natural teleology.Denis Walsh - 2012 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences 43 (1):173-181.
Boyle and the origins of modern chemistry: Newman tried in the fire.Alan F. Chalmers - 2010 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 41 (1):1-10.
How not to integrate the history and philosophy of science: a reply to Chalmers.William R. Newman - 2010 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 41 (2):203-213.

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References found in this work

The lack of excellency of Boyle's mechanical philosophy.Alan Chalmers - 1993 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 24 (4):541-564.
The Foundations of Newton's Philosophy of Nature.Richard S. Westfall - 1962 - British Journal for the History of Science 1 (2):171-182.
Supernaturalism and the Mechanical Philosophy.Keith Hutchison - 1983 - History of Science 21 (3):297-333.

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