Newton on action at a distance and the cause of gravity

作者：Ducheyne Steffen^*

来源：Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A, 2011, 42(1): 154-159.

DOI：10.1016/j.shpsa.2010.11.003

• Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
• Action at a distance
• Cause of gravity
• Fourth letter to Bentley (25 February 1692/3)

In this discussion paper. I seek to challenge Hylarie Kochiras' recent claims on Newton's attitude towards action at a distance, which will be presented in Section 1. In doing so, I shall include the positions of Andrew Janiak and John Henry in my discussion and present my own tackle on the matter (Section 2). Additionally, I seek to strengthen Kochiras' argument that Newton sought to explain the cause of gravity in terms of secondary causation (Section 3). I also provide some specification on what Kochiras calls 'Newton's substance counting problem' (Section 4). In conclusion, I suggest a historical correction (Section 5).

• 出版日期2011-3