The mechanical philosophy
Question 4
The mechanical philosophy, as developed by Boyle, elaborates on two important principles of matter and motion. Boyle’s great efforts are recognized through the attempts to build further the mechanical philosophy background that was developed by Descartes and Hobbes. It can, therefore, be established that Boyle’s mechanical philosophy incorporates Chemistry within the framework of mechanics on the matter. He expounds on how small particles pile up to form large sizes of matter. The properties of matter created from mechanical integration of the small particles are affected by the configurations, motion, and degree of collusion among the particles. The philosophy, therefore, defines the chemical properties of matter based on such factors. Thus, the philosophy is differentiated to elaborate on the characteristics of matter through the electronic configurations of the small particles that collide to make them (Boyle, 2017). Moreover, Boyle goes a step further to depict that the features that are portrayed in the matter should be based on the specific matter. Hence, the elements of size, shape, posture, texture, and order help to define matter.
Moreover, the philosophy of mechanics, as portrayed by Boyle, further highlights on the characterization of motion. In the features of motion, it is established by Boyle that a body that is in motion can result in the breaking of bodies and can further cause the effect of imparting on the bodies that are in motion. The concepts of the philosophy establish on the atomic nature of the particles that expounds on the claims concerning the universe. The philosophy can further be analyzed in terms of laws of nature developed by Boyle. The philosophy by Boyle also concerns the advantages. It is further explained in terms of the chronological and conceptual forms where the concepts about matter and motion are developed extensively.
Conway depicts that the problem in the reductionistic can be understood through concepts of atomism. Reductionism refers to the comprehending of the complex substances’ nature and further reduction that exists among them into the interactions of their constituents (Boyle, 2017). Therefore, the problem identified by Conway in reviewing the nature of such things is that of changeability. The constant changes between matter in terms of the active and passive, and simple and complex affects the reductionism philosophy. The vitalness of nature also affects the understanding of reductionism. Conway portrays the nature of motion that is vital among the substances to make them coexist in the universe. Therefore, he succeeds in identifying the issue of differences in concepts between Hobbes and Descartes in defining nature. They differ in terms of developing the coexistence of God. It leads to complexity in mechanical motion in indicating the reductionistic approach established.
Conway also identified the reductionism to be affected by the problem of the material and virtual extension concepts. According to the ideas, it is right to indicate that the nature of things will not allow them to respond to reductionism. Conway builds on the concept of the tendency of everything to have virtual extensions. Thus, it will be extreme to establish the minimization into small parts or to its constituent parts before achieving the virtual extensions that are portrayed. The concept of impenetrability, as developed by Conway, appears as a problem to the reductionistic approach. The fact that materials cannot account for the extensions experienced makes it difficult to associate them with simplification into simpler forms. The motion among the particles, as indicated by Conway, affects components of reductionism of the items.
References
Boyle, R. (2017). The Grounds for and Excellence of the Corpuscular or Mechanical Philosophy.
The excellence of Mechanism. 1-16.
Conway’s Thought: God, Infinity, and Divisibility. Pp 1-4.