New Forms of Natural Philosophy and Mixed Mathematics

Abstract

Between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries natural philosophy underwent great changes. Formal and final causes were replaced by efficient causes and the world became a huge machine. Greek philosophy turned toward mechanistic philosophy, a kind of philosophy more easily digestible by nonprofessional philosophers, mathematicians in particular. This change occurred in a period where specializations were not pushed away as today. Many of those who were called mathematicians could actually have a solid background in the philosophy of nature and sometimes even in metaphysics and theology. On the other hand, those who were called philosophers also had in general a mathematical preparation, not always deep but in many cases not negligible. The dichotomy, mathematician (philosopher)-philosopher (mathematician), does not cover the entire industry that today is associated with scientific knowledge. There were also physicians, alchemists, natural magicians, and educated technicians. However, they also had a nonspecialized culture and moved between natural philosophy and mathematics. All of them could so easily take possession of themes of the new philosophy of nature and integrate it into the already waiting conceptual framework of the mixed mathematics.