Hume’s Natural Philosophy and Philosophy of Physical Science

Description

This book contextualizes David Hume’s philosophy of physical science, exploring both Hume’s background in the history of early modern natural philosophy and its subsequent impact on the scientific tradition. Drawing on Cartesian cosmology and Einstein’s special relativity, and taking in topics including experimentalism, causation, laws of nature, metaphysics of forces, mathematics’ relation to nature, and the concepts of space and time, this book deepens our understanding of Hume’s relation to natural philosophy. It does so in addition by situating Hume’s thought within the context of other major philosophers, including Descartes, Locke, Boyle and Kant, and scientists including Newton and Leibniz. Demonstrating above all Hume’s understanding of the fluid relationship between philosophy and science, Hume’s Natural Philosophy and Philosophy of Physical Science will provide new insights for historians and philosophers of science. Cover page Halftitle page Series page Title page Copyright page Dedication Contents Figures Preface Acknowledgements Copyright Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction Method and Viewpoint Chapter Outlines 1 The Concept of Natural Philosophy Philosophy and Physics Early Modern Natural Philosophy On the Early Modern Notions of Science and Philosophy 2 Science of Human Nature and Natural Philosophy Hume’s Ambition: Science of Human Nature 3 Experimentalism Boyle on Probability and the Category of Fact Newton’s Experimentalism and Criticism of Hypotheses Hume’s Experimentalism Matters of Fact: Experience, Testimony, and Probability 4 Laws of Nature, Causation, and the Ontology of Forces The Notion of a Law of Nature Mechanism and Causal Power in Laws of Nature Separability of Causes and Effects 5 The Relation of Mathematics to Nature The Doctrine of Relations and Hume’s Fork The Application of Mathematics Mixed Mathematics Instantiates Epistemic Virtues Is the Book of Nature Written in the Language of Mathematics? 6 Space and Time The Absolutist Argument Newton’s Criticism of Descartes Hume on Space as Extension From the Idea of Time to a Full-fledged Relationist Ontology 7 Hume’s Impact Special Relativity Humeanism and NonHumeanism about Laws of Nature Causation and Laws Physics and Intelligibility Notes Bibliography Index