The New Science

I. Defining the New Science

A. The search for ordered knowledge

1. a time of theological dispute

2. questions about old knowledge

3. Descartes starts from scratch

B. Rediscovery of mathematical philosophy

1. Plato and geometric harmonies

2. questions of induction and deduction

a. Francis Bacon compared with Descartes

3. fusion of mathematics and experimentation

a. astronomers and physicists from Copernicus to Newton

II. The Order of the Universe

A. Copernicus rethinks old thoughts

1. Ptolemy's theory based on geometric harmony of circles

2. Copernicus discovers that sun-centered system is more harmonious

B. Kepler confirms Copernicus's harmonic system

1. Kepler's three laws

2. symmetry and proportion in planetary motion

C. Galileo combines mathematics and observation

1. observation of moon identifies it as matter

2. planets are like earth - earth can move like them

III. A New Science of Motion

A. Galileo works out basic rules

1. principle of inertia

2. imagines tides caused by movement of earth

B. Descartes presumes mechanical world

1. all motion caused by mechanical interactions

2. deduces the presence of invisible ether

C. Newton's mathematical synthesis

1. Newton's rules of reasoning

2. defining motion in mathematical terms--three laws

3. Universal gravitation makes sense mathematically

D. Dispute between Newtonians and Cartesians

1. Newton's system does not make sense mechanically

a. Cartesians oppose magical "action at a distance"

2. Newton trusts that God is mathematical

3. Newton's prediction of a compressed globe is demonstrated

4. Gravity can explain the tides

E. Triumph of mathematical model of nature

1. Scientific method