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.