Petrus Van Musschenbroek (1692-1761) on the scope of &lt;em&gt;physica&lt;/em&gt; and its place within &lt;em&gt;philosophia&lt;/em&gt;

Steffen Ducheyne

doi:10.3989/asclepio.2016.02

Abstract

As a supplement to John L. Heilbron’s account, I will argue that, although the label ‘experimental physics’ can be rightfully used to describe aspects of Petrus van Musschenbroek’s (1692-1761) work, the latter’s understanding of ‘physica’ is to be situated within a broader framework in which theological, philosophical and teleological considerations continued to play an important role. First, I will draw attention to Musschenbroek’s views on the scope of physica and especially to his conception of a law of nature. It will be shown that by radicalizing certain aspects of Isaac Newton’s methodological ideas van Musschenbroek no longer considered physics as the discipline that uncovered causes from effects, as Newton did, but as the discipline that studies the effects of unknown causes. In addition, I will show that van Musschenbroek endorsed the view that the laws of nature are contingent on God’s free will and that they are knowable due to his goodness. Second, it will be argued that for van Musschenbroek physics, alongside with teleology, had clear physico-theological repercussions. Along the way, van Musschenbroek’s views on the principle of sufficient reason will be discussed for the first time.

Highlights

Physica examines “the space of the whole universe [Spatium totius Universi], and all bodies contained in it” and “enquires [indagans] into their nature, attributes, properties, actions, passions, situation, order, powers, causes, effects, modes, magnitudes, origins; proving these mathematically as far as may be done [ea Mathematice, quantum fieri potest, probans]”
It will be shown that by radicalizing certain aspects of Newton’s methodological ideas van Musschenbroek no longer considered physica as the discipline that uncovered causes from effects, as Newton did, but as the discipline that studies the effects of unknown causes
As we have seen, whenever van Musschenbroek dealt with ‘causes’ within the domain of physica, he systematically referred to the regularities or laws of nature according to which effects always occur in the same way in similar circumstances and not to their efficient causes

Summary

Introduction

Physica examines “the space of the whole universe [Spatium totius Universi], and all bodies contained in it” and “enquires [indagans] into their nature, attributes, properties, actions, passions, situation, order, powers, causes, effects, modes, magnitudes, origins; proving these mathematically as far as may be done [ea Mathematice, quantum fieri potest, probans]” As we have seen, whenever van Musschenbroek dealt with ‘causes’ within the domain of physica, he systematically referred to the regularities or laws of nature according to which effects always occur in the same way in similar circumstances and not to their efficient causes.27 According to van Musschenbroek, the usefulness of physics (“Utilitas Physicæ”) is of no small importance: As first for the understanding, explaining, and promoting all human arts and sciences, and the art of medicine.

Results

Conclusion