Overview

"A study of the history of the atomic theory of matter between the time of Democritus and that of Newton. The classical atomic theory, we are told, consisted of four central doctrines: a firm commitment to indivisible units of matter; a belief in the reality of the vacuum; a reductionist conception of forms and qualities; and a mechanistic account of natural agency. The work provides a critical account of the arguments used for and against these four theses during three time-periods: Antiquity, the Middle Ages and the 17th century. Atomism was a minority position in Antiquity, rejected by most natural philosophers on the strength of Aristotelian objections. But Aristotle's own disciples gradually took his system apart in the Middle Ages, thus developing - albeit in a piecemeal manner - positions strikingly akin in some respects to classical atomism. So when Gassendi and others sought to revive atomism in the 17th century, the way was already prepared for them. This study is the first to emphasise the continuity of this process and the debt owed by the 17th-century ""moderns"" to the medieval critique of Aristotle."

Full Product Details

Author:   Andrew Pyle
Publisher:   St Augustine's Press
Imprint:   St Augustine's Press
Edition:   New edition
Dimensions:   Width: 13.80cm , Height: 4.30cm , Length: 21.60cm
Weight:   0.889kg
ISBN:  

9781855065024

ISBN 10:   1855065029
Pages:   756
Publication Date:   01 April 1995
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   In Print  
Limited stock is available. It will be ordered for you and shipped pending supplier's limited stock.

Table of Contents

Reviews

Andrew Pyle's book provides both a scientific and a philosophical perspective the most comprehensive history of atomism available. He teases out the arguments, for and against, that dominated discussion of the theory from the Ancient World to the age of Newton and in so doing provides an unrivalled survey of the issues which the theory raises. - C. A. J. Rogers [A] valuable source book for specialist and non-specialist alike...and invaluable study. - John Yolton Pyle's story...is beautifully and clearly organized...the book is a mine of information and a model of clarity. - Alan Chalmers

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions