Introduction

Abstract

Although Descartes’ natural philosophy marked an important advance in the development of modem science, many of his specific concepts of science—most notably, his concepts of space, time, and motion—have been largely discarded, and consequently neglected, since their introduction in the seventeenth century. Many critics over the years, such as Newton (in his early paper De gravitatione), have presented a series of apparently devastating arguments against Descartes’ theory of space and motion; a generally negative historical verdict which, moreover, most contemporary scholars seem happy to accept. Nevertheless, it is also true that most historians and philosophers of science have not sufficiently investigated the viability and effectiveness of the case against Cartesian space and motion. This book, consequently, explores the success of the arguments against Descartes’ theory of space and motion by determining if it is possible to formulate a Cartesian theory of science that can avoid the problems raised by Newton, as well as by a host of other past and contemporary philosophers either sympathetic or hostile to the overall design of Cartesian science. In particular, if Descartes’ theory of motion can be reconciled with his hypotheses on dynamics (i.e., the branch of physics that deals with the motions of bodies under forces), then a Cartesian can successfully resolve the difficulties imposed by his critics. This book will comprise, therefore, a sustained attempt to construct a consistent “Cartesian” spacetime theory: i.e., a theory of space and time that incorporates Descartes’ various theories of physics and nature without falling into the kinds of problems and contradictions as charged by, for example, Newton. Amazingly, the present investigation comprises the only known (book-length) treatise that exclusively focuses upon Descartes’ theory of space and motion, as well as the possibility of its rehabilitation in the wake of much later criticism. Given the extremely important contribution of Descartes’ theory of space, time, and motion to later such theories (such as Newton’s, ironically), and given Descartes’ preeminent importance in the overall history of Western philosophy, it is incredible that no previous commentators have devoted an exhaustive study of the potential for resurrecting Descartes’ concept of space, time, and motion.