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Descartes, Spacetime, and Relational Motion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2022

Edward Slowik
Edward Slowik*
Affiliation:
Department of Philosophy, Winona State University
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Abstract

This paper examines Descartes' problematic relational theory of motion, especially when viewed within the context of his dynamics, the Cartesian natural laws. The work of various commentators on Cartesian motion is also surveyed, with particular emphasis placed upon the recent important texts of Garber and Des Chene. In contrast to the methodology of most previous interpretations, however, this essay employs a modern “spacetime” approach to the problem. By this means, the role of dynamics in Descartes' theory, which has often been neglected in favor of kinematic factors, is shown to be central to finding a solution to the puzzle of Cartesian motion.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 66 , Issue 1 , March 1999 , pp. 117 - 139
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 by the Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

†

Send requests for reprints to the author, Department of Philosophy, Winona State University, 329 Minne Hall, P.O Box 5838, Winona, MN 55987–5838.

‡

I would like to thank Mark Wilson and Calvin Normore for helpful discussions, and two anonymous referees from the Philosophy of Science for comments on earlier version of this paper.

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