The Kantian Interpretation of Newton's Laws
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25247/P1982-999X.2023.v23n1.p76-96Keywords:
Analogies, Physics, Metaphysics, Kant, NewtonAbstract
Our objective in this article is to show how the metaphysical foundation of Newton's three laws of motion by Kant takes place. Firstly, the place where Kant does this is not in the Critique of Pure Reason but in the Metaphysical Principles of Natural Science. Then, Kant does not find Newton's three laws like a derivation of his three analogies of experience. In fact, Kant finds his (and not Newton's) three laws of motion, which, after a due comparison, can be understood as another way of expressing Newton's laws. This is easy to defend when we note that Kant finds a law of conservation among the laws of motion, something totally alien to Newton's laws of motion. Thus, we manage to absolve Kant of the accusation of artificiality of his philosophy when taken as a system made in tow of Newton's physics.
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