On the Properties and Actions of the Motive Virtue

Abstract

The logic of the theory requests that we enquire on the nature of that force which is diffused by the throwing subject and transmitted to the projectile, and on what effect of velocity it produces. The motive virtue of course seems to be of the kind of those which can be increased not only in intensity but also in extension. The motive force can expand and contract according to the size of the subject in which it is present. Moreover, it seems to be able to increase and decrease in intensity in one and the same subject.

I at first wonder every time I notice that a whole stone is moved at a well-determined velocity. I perceive clearly that its different particles are displaced at an equal velocity. Since the whole stone is impelled by some well-determined motive virtue, it appears necessary that any particle of the stone be impelled by a particle of the motive virtue. Therefore, the motive force is considered as subdivided into as many equal particles as there are particles in the displaced body.