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Three concepts of causation in Newton

Publication ,  Journal Article
Janiak, A
Published in: Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A
September 1, 2013

In this paper, I argue that recent debates about Newton's attitude toward action at a distance have been hampered by a lack of conceptual clarity. To clarify the metaphysical background of the debates, I distinguish three kinds of causes within Newton's work: mechanical, dynamical, and substantial causes. This threefold distinction enables us to recognize that although Newton clearly regards gravity as an impressed force that operates across vast distances, he denies that this commitment requires him to think that some substance acts at a distance on another substance. (Dynamical causation is distinct from substantial causation.) Newton's denial of substantial action at a distance may strike his interpreters as questionable, so I provide an argument to show that it is in fact acceptable. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

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Published In

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A

DOI

EISSN

1879-2510

ISSN

0039-3681

Publication Date

September 1, 2013

Volume

44

Issue

3

Start / End Page

396 / 407

Related Subject Headings

  • Science Studies
  • 5003 Philosophy
  • 5002 History and philosophy of specific fields
  • 2203 Philosophy
  • 2202 History and Philosophy of Specific Fields
  • 2103 Historical Studies
 

Citation

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Janiak, A. (2013). Three concepts of causation in Newton. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A, 44(3), 396–407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsa.2012.10.009
Janiak, A. “Three concepts of causation in Newton.” Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A 44, no. 3 (September 1, 2013): 396–407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsa.2012.10.009.
Janiak A. Three concepts of causation in Newton. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A. 2013 Sep 1;44(3):396–407.
Janiak, A. “Three concepts of causation in Newton.” Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A, vol. 44, no. 3, Sept. 2013, pp. 396–407. Scopus, doi:10.1016/j.shpsa.2012.10.009.
Janiak A. Three concepts of causation in Newton. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A. 2013 Sep 1;44(3):396–407.
Journal cover image

Published In

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A

DOI

EISSN

1879-2510

ISSN

0039-3681

Publication Date

September 1, 2013

Volume

44

Issue

3

Start / End Page

396 / 407

Related Subject Headings

  • Science Studies
  • 5003 Philosophy
  • 5002 History and philosophy of specific fields
  • 2203 Philosophy
  • 2202 History and Philosophy of Specific Fields
  • 2103 Historical Studies