Overview
- Shows that Descartes created a consistent system of mathematical physics that is used in theoretical physics even today
- Corrects misconceptions connected with the interpretation of Descartes’ mathematical and physical work
- Offers a new interpretation of the Cartesian method by relating it to the analytic method as later developed by Leibniz
Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Philosophy (BRIEFSPHILOSOPH)
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Table of contents (7 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
This book argues that Descartes’ physics was a milestone on the road to modern mathematical physics. After Newton introduced a completely different approach to mathematical description of motion, Descartes’ physics became obsolete and even difficult to comprehend. This text follows the language of Descartes and the means of which motion can be described. It argues that Descartes achieved almost everything that later Newton was able to do—to describe the motion of interacting bodies- by different (i.e. algebraic) means. This volume completely refutes the received view according to which Descartes’ physics was merely a kind of discursive natural philosophy. To make this interpretation more plausible the book follows Descartes’ ideas from his early work in mathematics, through his invention of the analytic method towards his mature physics. It shows that Descartes followed a similar heuristic pattern.
The volume appeals to students and researchers; it invites the reader equippedwith minimal understanding of college mathematics to follow Descartes on his intellectual journey through the Scientific Revolution. The reader will gain a deeper understanding of the role of mathematical language in the creation of modern physics and a glimpse into the fascinating world of Descartes’ scientific thought. Several of Descartes’ philosophical ideas can be traced back to his scientific interests and thus the book elucidates the motivation behind some of Descartes’ key positions in the area of epistemology and method. In the penultimate chapter the book presents four arguments in favor of seeing Descartes as a physicist on par with Galileo and Newton.
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Ladislav Kvasz studied mathematics and philosophy at Comenius University. He spent longer sojourns at the University of Vienna, King’s College London, University of California at Berkeley and Technical University in Berlin. His book Patterns of Change (2008) was awarded the International Fernando Gil Prize for the Philosophy of Science. He is interested in the changes of the formal language of science and the consequences which linguistic innovations (such as invention of variables, or introduction of functions) had on scientific method and thought.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: Descartes on Mathematics, Method and Motion
Book Subtitle: On the Role of Cartesian Physics in the Scientific Revolution
Authors: Ladislav Kvasz
Series Title: SpringerBriefs in Philosophy
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-57061-2
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Religion and Philosophy, Philosophy and Religion (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-031-57060-5Published: 27 April 2024
eBook ISBN: 978-3-031-57061-2Published: 26 April 2024
Series ISSN: 2211-4548
Series E-ISSN: 2211-4556
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XII, 76
Number of Illustrations: 1 b/w illustrations
Topics: History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics, Philosophy of Science, History of Philosophy, History of Mathematical Sciences, History of Science