Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
9742624 | Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A | 2005 | 18 Pages |
Abstract
In this paper I deal with a neglected topic with respect to unification in Newton's Principia. I will clarify Newton's notion (as can be found in Newton's utterances on unification) and practice of unification (its actual occurrence in his scientific work). In order to do so, I will use the recent theories on unification as tools of analysis (Kitcher, Salmon and Schurz). I will argue, after showing that neither Kitcher's nor Schurz's account aptly capture Newton's notion and practice of unification, that Salmon's later work is a good starting point for analysing this notion and its practice in the Principia. Finally, I will supplement Salmon's account in order to answer the question at stake.
Related Topics
Social Sciences and Humanities
Arts and Humanities
History
Authors
Steffen Ducheyne,