R. DESCARTES AND I. NEWTON: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEIR SYSTEMS OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY Cover Image

R. DESCARTES IR I. NEWTONAS: GAMTOS FILOSOFIJOS SISTEMŲ PANAŠUMAI IR SKIRTUMAI (LAIKO IR ERDVĖS ASPEKTAI)
R. DESCARTES AND I. NEWTON: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEIR SYSTEMS OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY

Author(s): Jonas Čiurlionis
Subject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Vilniaus Universiteto Leidykla
Keywords: space; time; laws of motion; relativity.

Summary/Abstract: Throughout the history of undertanding space and time, I. Newton is undoubtedly one of the most important figures. His ideas of absolute space and time were widely accepted and refused only in the beginning of the 20th century with the rise of special theory of reliativity. However, in order to be recognized, Newtonian mechanics had to win the competition against Cartesian natural philosophy. On the other hand, can it be that views of both philosophers are more similar than contradictory? Can it be that I. Newton used the ideas of R. Descartes while constructing his famous laws of motion – the foundation for the absolute space and time? These and similar problematic questions are discussed in the article.

  • Issue Year: 2006
  • Issue No: 69
  • Page Range: 39-46
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Lithuanian