A1 Journal article (refereed)
Universal Gravitation and the (Un)Intelligibility of Natural Philosophy (2020)

Slavov, Matias (2020). Universal Gravitation and the (Un)Intelligibility of Natural Philosophy. Pacific Philosophical Quarterly, 101 (1), 129-157. DOI: 10.1111/papq.12300

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Slavov, Matias

Journal or series: Pacific Philosophical Quarterly

ISSN: 0279-0750

eISSN: 1468-0114

Publication year: 2020

Volume: 101

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 129-157

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/papq.12300

Open Access: Publication channel is not openly available

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/67867

Abstract

This article centers on Hume's position on the intelligibility of natural philosophy. To that end, the controversy surrounding universal gravitation shall be scrutinized. It is very well known that Hume sides with the Newtonian experimentalist approach rather than with the Leibnizian demand for intelligibility. However, what is not clear is Hume's overall position on the intelligibility of natural philosophy. It shall be argued that Hume declines Leibniz's principle of intelligibility. However, Hume does not eschew intelligibility altogether; his concept of causation itself stipulates mechanical intelligibility.

Keywords: natural philosophy; natural laws; gravitation; empiricism; rationalism

Free keywords: Hume, David; Newton, Isaac; Leibniz, Gottfried Wilhelm

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2020

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2