RESHEL T. RESPLANDOR PhD IN SCIENCE EDUCATION DR. MARIETA VILLAVERDE SED 615 TOPIC 6: DESCARTES’ AND NEWTON’S VIEW OF THE UNIVERSE Cartesians and Newtonians were looking at the same data, and the same phenomena, but their different perspectives led to very different approaches. RENE DESCARTES SIR ISAAC NEWTON Cartesians looked for direct causes Newtonians looked to precisely describe the and all explored mechanical hypotheses for the interaction in mathematical terms, leading to interaction of planets. results that do not easily conform with mechanical interaction, at least of the sort proposed by mechanical philosophers. Cartesians believe space is filled with matter, Newtonians are convinced space is void of matter. What appears to us as empty space is merely a low-density, translucent substance. Everything in this universe is subject to a strict law of causality (even god!). Cartesian model Newtonian of the Universe relies on this subtle matter filling system relies on there being nothing to hinder the space to push the planets, motion of planets in space. The motion of any object is only possible if another nature was pervaded by some mysterious force moving object pushes against it; the translucent that works at great distances. Descartes’ causality substance that fills up space causes the motion of principle was cast aside, only to make way for a planets mystical actio in distans. formulated Principles of Philosophy Formulated the three Laws of motion The first law of nature: each and every thing, in so Law I – Everybody perseveres in its state of rest, or far as it can, always continues in the same state; of uniform motion in a right line, unless it is and thus, what is once in motion always continues compelled to change that state by forces to move. impressed thereon. The second law of nature: all motion is in itself Law II – The alteration of motion is ever rectilinear; and hence anybody moving in a circle proportional to the motive force impressed; and is always tends to move away from the center of the made in the direction of the right line in which that circle which it describes. force is impressed. The third law of nature: if a body collides with Law III – To every action there is always opposed another body that is stronger than itself, it loses an equal reaction: or the mutual actions of two none of its motion; but if it collides with a weaker bodies upon each other are always equal, and body, it loses a quantity of motion equal to that directed to contrary parts. which it imparts to the other body.