Cartesian Spacetime: Descartes Physics and the Relational Theory of Space and Motion (International Archives of the History of Ideas Archives internationales d'histoire des ides, 181)

Although Descartes' natural philosophy marked an advance in the development of modern science, many critics over the years, such as Newton, have rejected his particular 'relational' theory of space and motion. Nevertheless, it is also true that most historians and philosophers have not sufficiently investigated the viability of the Cartesian theory. This book explores, consequently, the success of the arguments against Descartes' theory of space and motion by determining if it is possible to formulate a version that can eliminate its alleged problems. In essence, this book comprises the first sustained attempt to construct a consistent 'Cartesian' spacetime theory: that is, a theory of space and time that consistently incorporates Descartes' various physical and metaphysical concepts. Intended for students in the history of philosophy and science, this study reveals the sophisticated insights, and often quite successful elements, in Descartes' unjustly neglected relational theory of space and motion. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction....Pages 1-6 Front Matter....Pages 7-7 Newton’s De Gravitatione Argument Against Cartesian Dynamics....Pages 9-17 The Structure of Spacetime Theories....Pages 19-41 Front Matter....Pages 43-43 The Cartesian Natural Laws....Pages 45-74 Matter and Substance in the Cartesian Universe....Pages 75-107 Quantity of Motion: The Origin and Function of the Cartesian Conservation Principle....Pages 109-134 Front Matter....Pages 135-135 Relational Spacetimes and Cartesian Dynamics....Pages 137-161 The Kinematic Logic of Relational Transfer: An Unwritten Chapter in the History of Cartesian Motion....Pages 163-175 Constructing a Cartesian Dynamics without “Fixed” Reference Frames: Collisions in the Center-of-Mass Frame....Pages 177-200 Constructing a Cartesian Dynamics with “Fixed” Reference Frames: The “Kinematics of Mechanisms” Theory....Pages 201-226 Conclusion....Pages 227-228 Back Matter....Pages 229-251