Revisiting the Mathematisation Thesis. Galileo, Descartes, Newton, and the Language of Nature

0480601 - FLÚ 2018 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Kvasz, Ladislav
Revisiting the Mathematisation Thesis. Galileo, Descartes, Newton, and the Language of Nature.
International studies in the philosophy of science. Roč. 30, č. 4 (2016), s. 399-406. ISSN 0269-8595
Institutional support: RVO:67985955
Keywords : mathematization of motion * Koyré * Galilei * Newton
OECD category: Philosophy, History and Philosophy of science and technology

The paper discusses the state of art of the historical debate concerning Koyré's thesis of mathematization of nature. On the basis of a critical survey of the current debate the paper proposes a diagnosis of the disagreements in the assessment of the thesis and proposes an alternative approach that is able to overcome the disagreements. The diagnosis of the disagreements consists in the fact that Koyré was correct in pointing to a major discontinuity in the use of mathematics that separates ancient and modern science. Therefore all advocates of his theses can present cogent analyses of historical episodes, illustrating Koyré's thesis. On the other hand Koyré seems to have formulated his thesis too broadly, speaking about mathematization of nature. In fact the mathematization concerned our description of motion and thus many aspects of nature remained unchanged. Therefore many opponents of the thesis can present equally cogent case studies, refuting the thesis. The solution, according the paper, consists in a restriction of the validity of the thesis to the area of mathematization of motion. In this restricted area the thesis can be defended against all arguments put forward in the debate.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0276369