Abstract
Newton’s absolute pace-time view is the basis of his classical mechanics, and his description of relative motion is based on absolute space. However, the existence of this absolute space has been questioned by the academic circles. In order to defend its theoretical foundation, Newton established a famous bucket experiment to prove the existence of absolute space. But his experiment was also questioned, and the experiment is also divided into different opinions. This paper hopes to find the answer to the question from Kantian perspective.
Highlights
In The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, Newton said, “absolute space, as far as its nature is concerned, has nothing to do with the outside world, but it’s always the same stationary” (Newton, 1957)
Newton believes that this absolute space is the absolute stationary reference frame, and that there are other relative reference frames that move uniformly and in a straight line being relative to it (Maciel & Tiomno, 1989)
The design concept of bucket experiment is that if we can observe a relatively stationary object showing a state of motion, we can think that the motion of this object is not relative, but absolute (Newton, 1934)
Summary
In The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, Newton said, “absolute space, as far as its nature is concerned, has nothing to do with the outside world, but it’s always the same stationary” (Newton, 1957). Because according to the law of inertia, we can only observe that the object is moving or just in a stationary state in a relative inertial reference frame. Movement is conceived as absolute, but always regarded as only a relative predicate in the mutual relation (Watkins, 1997) On this basis, Kant denied the existence of absolute motion and absolute space. It is necessary to analyze Newton’s bucket experiment to explain whether absolute motion and absolute space exist
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