Re: Newton's Principia: Rules of Reasoning in Philosophy

From: Mike (eleatis_at_yahoo.gr)
Date: 11/14/04 

Date: 14 Nov 2004 13:27:40 -0800

Isaac Newton <eric_baird@compuserve.com> wrote in message news:<44ldp05a31oqcfnaqf9m1bn4o8s4elf6sb@4ax.com>...
> [quote starts]
> :: RULES OF REASONING IN PHILOSOPHY
>
>
> : RULE I
> : We are to admit no m ore causes of natural things than such as
> : are both true and sufficient to explain their appearances.
>
> To this purpose the philosophers say that Nature does nothing in vain,
> and more is in vain when less will serve: for Nature is pleased with
> simplicity, and affects not the pomp of superfluous causes.
>
> [snip]

The hidden premise here is that there exist 'first causes'. Otherwise,
there is an infinite regression of causes for a given effect.

Since nothing can be proved along these line, Newton's statements were
Theological rather than pertraining to physics.

Mike

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