Abstract
The debate on Newtonianism is one of the key points of Hume's Dialogue concerning natural religion. This paper analyses the apologetic ideology introduced by Newton to the Royal Society during his presidency (1703-1727). It was intended to prove how Newton's scientific theories could provide, through the design argument, a solid foundation to the power of God's. Without doubt this is the background to the polemics between Cleanthes and Philo. The paper suggests, however, that in the criticism of the Holy Alliance between science and religion, the Dialogues could also be reflected in the different orientation which the Royal Society took from 1741, when its new president attempted to separate scientific and religious matters.
Titolo tradotto del contributo | [Autom. eng. transl.] In the background of David Hume's Dialogues: Newtonian science and design argument |
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Lingua originale | Italian |
pagine (da-a) | 89-97 |
Numero di pagine | 9 |
Rivista | Giornale Critico della Filosofia Italiana |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2016 |
Keywords
- Newtonianism, Colin Maclaurin, Royal Society, David Hume, science and natural religion