The career of teleology in physics : from Aristotle to Newton, 2004

Item — Call Number: MU Thesis Nas

Identifier: b2088325

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection consists of theses written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate History program. The holdings are bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Master of Arts degree.

From the Collection:

During the fall 2022 semester (in instances where the requisite waivers were received from consenting student authors), the Monmouth University Library, together with the University's Graduate School and Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences, began providing open access to select full-text digital versions of current theses and dissertations through links to the ProQuest Dissertations Publishing website in the Library's Online Public Access Catalog. Links to these open access digital publications can also be found in the "External Documents" section under any conforming titles that are listed among the holdings itemized in the collection inventory for this finding aid.

Dates

Creation: 2004

Creator

Nassar, Gene (1975- ) (Author, Person)
Stunkel, Kenneth R. (1931-2019) (Thesis advisor, Person)
Schwerin, Alan K. (Thesis advisor, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Access is by appointment only.

Access to the collection is confined to the Monmouth University Library and is subject to patron policies approved by the Monmouth University Library.

Collection holdings may not be borrowed through interlibrary loan.

Research appointments are scheduled by the Monmouth University Library Archives Collections Manager (723-923-4526). A minimum of three days advance notice is required to arrange a research appointment for access to the collection.

Patrons must complete a Researcher Registration Form and provide appropriate identification to gain access to the collection holdings. Copies of these documents will be kept on file at the Monmouth University Library.

Extent

1 Items (print book) : 88 pages ; 8.5 x 11.0 inches (28 cm).

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Introduction [excerpt]

This essay traces the diminishing visibility of Aristotle's qualitative physics in Western Europe from the Middle Ages to the modern era, examining various interpretations offered by major thinkers during this time period. Over this stage in history Aristotle's qualitative physics as a visible theory, one that is able to explain the motion of bodies in two realms, the earth and the heavens, is enervated until it is eventually overthrown and replaced by a single quantitative theory governing motion in both realms....

By tracing the fading visibility of Aristotle's qualitative physics over this time period I argue that the European world changed when it was understood quantitatively, in the language of mathematics, how bodies moved on the earth and in the heavens under the same set of mathematical laws. Aristotle's physics were qualitative; the motion of bodies was purposeful, natural motion was always for a specific end. The particular end depended on the qualitative make-up of the object and location in the universe. The overriding reason for the downfall of Aristotle's qualitiative physics was the underlying teleological assumption that the motion of bodies is purposeful. The road to objective, mathematical knowledge was an arduous one. Using teleology to explain the motion of bodies was a convincing explanation that held a powerful dominion over men's minds for centuries.

Partial Contents

1. Introduction -- 2. Aristotle's qualitative physics -- 3. Aristotle's qualitative physics in the high Middle Ages -- 4. Cosmology of the Middle Ages -- 5. Mechanics and astronomy in the fourteenth century -- 6. New cosmological theories -- 7. The new methodology -- 8. The Newtonian revolution -- 9. Conclusion.