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On Force in Cartesian Physics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2022

John Byron Manchak
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Abstract

There does not seem to be a consistent way to ground the concept of “force” in Cartesian first principles. In this article, I first review the literature on the subject. Then, I offer an alternative interpretation of force—one that seems to be coherent and consistent with Descartes’ project. Not only does the new position avoid the problems of previous interpretations, but it does so in such a way as to support and justify those previous interpretations.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 76 , Issue 3 , July 2009 , pp. 295 - 306
Copyright
Copyright © The Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

‡

I wish to thank Alice Sowaal and an anonymous referee for valuable suggestions. I am especially grateful to Alan Nelson for his tremendous help and encouragement.

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