Epilogue

Abstract

Classical mechanics indeed has its origin in the 17th century. The period we have studied here is not merely a prelude to the Scientific Revolution but an essential part of it. In the three studies presented here, we have tried to illuminate some aspects of these origins, in particular, the question of what it means for classical mechanics to originate. However, contrary to the widespread view that at least Galileo crossed the borderline between medieval and modern scientific thinking, we have tried to show in the preceding chapters that this period of science was in fact still deeply rooted in medieval traditions. Although in the problems and results we can clearly identify constitutive elements of classical mechanics, the arguments and derivations are still based on the conceptual tools of medieval natural philosophy. Even Galileo’s most celebrated achievements turn out to have been obtained by twisting and squeezing a patchwork of inadequate traditional concepts. However, the specific uses of these tools and the knowledge produced cannot be imagined as outcomes of medieval scholarship.