Robert Hatch

SUBTOPIC:

 Newton’s Rules of Reasoning in Philosophy

OBJECTIVES:

The students will:

1. form logical foundations for analysis of observations
2. improve analytic reading abilities
3. understand that modern science is dependent upon the past thought
4. identify the difference between “old” and “new” science
5. The students will understand that presumptions are necessary and desireable for scientific thought

Background Information 

If one were asked to name the most important scientist of Western Civilization, the name Isaac Newton would more than likely roll off the tongue. Newton’s synthesis of previous science knowledge-work into a consistent mathematical theory of the world was the crown jewel of the Scientific Revolution and a key to the Enlightenment.

Newton also merged the two opposing trends of 17th century science–the empirical inductive method and the rational deductive method. Through the proper balance of the two, Newton created a basis for scientific methodology which exists in all of the natural philosophies today.

Newton’s influence extends into the social sciences and has had a major influence on the structure of the American governmental and other national experiences.

Although current research in physics indicates fallacies and limitations to the Newtonian view, Isaac Newton is recalled as a founding father of modern thought. As Newton “stood on the shoulders of giants” for a better view, now we too may search for the truth, and our vantage is from above his shoulders.

Newton began his investigations into natural science by establishing rules to guide his scientific and philosophical observation. Students often have difficulty determining what may be presumed as consistent and constant, and what factors may be deemed as variables in their experience. 

Newton’s Rules of Reasoning in Philosophy:

1. Nature does nothing in vain, and more is vain when less will do.
2. Therefore, to the same natural effects we must, as far as possible, assign the same causes.
3. Properties common to all bodies within reach of our experiments are assumed to apply to all bodies in general, until proven otherwise.
4. In experiential philosophy, hypotheses based on experience should be accepted as “accurate or very nearly true,” unless a contrary hypothesis may be imagined.

ACTIVITY #1:

Reasoning Rules

           1 class period

MATERIALS:

 COPIES OF THE RULES, ITEMS NEEDED FOR CHOSEN EXPERIENCE

PROCEDURE:

1. Hand out copies of Newton’s Rules of Reasoning. Have students carefully read them, and rewrite them, so they achieve a better understanding of the rules.
2. Brainstorm the edited rules and list a group interpretation for them on the board/overhead projector.
3. Select an experiment or experience (new to the students) where there are both constants and variables, such as any textbook experiment on wind, temperature, etc. Ask the students to list the constants and variables.
4. Conduct the experiments.
5. Divide the students into small groups and help each group determine how this experience fits or does not fit Newton’s Rules of Reasoning.
6. What are the deficiencies of Newton’s Rules?

Bibliography

Capra, Fritjof. Turning Point: Science, Society and the Rising Culture. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1982.

Project Physics. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1971.