Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1109-1122 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Synthese |
| Volume | 198 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| Early online date | 16 Jan 2019 |
| Publication status | Published - Feb 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
Wilson [Dialectica 63(4):525–554, 2009], Moore [Int Stud Philos Sci 26(4):359–380, 2012], and Massin [Br J Philos Sci 68(3):805–846, 2017] identify an overdetermination problem arising from the principle of composition in Newtonian physics. I argue that the principle of composition is a red herring: what’s really at issue are contrasting metaphysical views about how to interpret the science. One of these views—that real forces are to be tied to physical interactions like pushes and pulls—is a superior guide to real forces than the alternative, which demands that real forces are tied to “realized” accelerations. Not only is the former view employed in the actual construction of Newtonian models, the latter is both unmotivated and inconsistent with the foundations and testing of the science.
Keywords
- Force composition, Metaphysics of forces, Newton, Newtonian physics, Overdetermination
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Arts and Humanities(all)
- Philosophy
- Social Sciences(all)
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In: Synthese, Vol. 198, No. 2, 2, 02.2021, p. 1109-1122.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Forces in a True and Physical Sense: From Mathematical Models to Metaphysical Conclusions
AU - Dethier, Corey Nathaniel
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2019, Springer Nature B.V.
PY - 2021/2
Y1 - 2021/2
N2 - Wilson [Dialectica 63(4):525–554, 2009], Moore [Int Stud Philos Sci 26(4):359–380, 2012], and Massin [Br J Philos Sci 68(3):805–846, 2017] identify an overdetermination problem arising from the principle of composition in Newtonian physics. I argue that the principle of composition is a red herring: what’s really at issue are contrasting metaphysical views about how to interpret the science. One of these views—that real forces are to be tied to physical interactions like pushes and pulls—is a superior guide to real forces than the alternative, which demands that real forces are tied to “realized” accelerations. Not only is the former view employed in the actual construction of Newtonian models, the latter is both unmotivated and inconsistent with the foundations and testing of the science.
AB - Wilson [Dialectica 63(4):525–554, 2009], Moore [Int Stud Philos Sci 26(4):359–380, 2012], and Massin [Br J Philos Sci 68(3):805–846, 2017] identify an overdetermination problem arising from the principle of composition in Newtonian physics. I argue that the principle of composition is a red herring: what’s really at issue are contrasting metaphysical views about how to interpret the science. One of these views—that real forces are to be tied to physical interactions like pushes and pulls—is a superior guide to real forces than the alternative, which demands that real forces are tied to “realized” accelerations. Not only is the former view employed in the actual construction of Newtonian models, the latter is both unmotivated and inconsistent with the foundations and testing of the science.
KW - Force composition
KW - Metaphysics of forces
KW - Newton
KW - Newtonian physics
KW - Overdetermination
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85060179712&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11229-019-02086-z
DO - 10.1007/s11229-019-02086-z
M3 - Article
VL - 198
SP - 1109
EP - 1122
JO - Synthese
JF - Synthese
SN - 0039-7857
IS - 2
M1 - 2
ER -