Cartesian Spacetime. Descartes' Physics and the Relational Theory of Space and Motion [International Archives of the History of Ideas, volume 181]

Slowik, Edward

ISBN 10: 1402002653 / ISBN 13: 9781402002656

Published by Dordrecht, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2002

About this Item

cloth, duatjacket, 8vo xii+242 pp., 30 ills. this book comprises the first sustained attempt to construct a consistent 'Cartesian' spacetime theory; very good condition (almost unused).

Seller Inventory # 30644

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Cartesian Spacetime. Descartes' Physics and the Relational Theory of Space and Motion [International Archives of the History of Ideas, volume 181]
• Publisher: Dordrecht, Kluwer Academic Publishers
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1402002653
• ISBN 13: 9781402002656
• Binding: Hardcover
• Seller catalogs:
  • History of science

About this title

Synopsis

Although Descartes' natural philosophy marked an advance in the development of modern science, many critics over the years, such as Newton, have rejected his particular `relational' theory of space and motion. Nevertheless, it is also true that most historians and philosophers have not sufficiently investigated the viability of the Cartesian theory.
This book explores, consequently, the success of the arguments against Descartes' theory of space and motion by determining if it is possible to formulate a version that can eliminate its alleged problems. In essence, this book comprises the first sustained attempt to construct a consistent `Cartesian' spacetime theory: that is, a theory of space and time that consistently incorporates Descartes' various physical and metaphysical concepts.
Intended for students in the history of philosophy and science, this study reveals the sophisticated insights, and often quite successful elements, in Descartes' unjustly neglected relational theory of space and motion.