Philosophy Speakers: Kirsten Walsh “Newton as Modeller”

About the Talk Isaac Newton’s theorising strategy in the Principia is usually characterised by I. Bernard Cohen’s ‘Newtonian style’: Newton moved from mathematical principles to a physical system in a step-by-step fashion. Modern commentators disagree on two relevant factors of this strategy: (1) the role of data in Newton’s construction of a mathematical system, and (2) whether this system was supposed to represent the world. I argue that Michael Weisberg’s account of modelling provides a useful way of characterising Newton’s strategy which sheds light on these disagreements. Focusing on two features of Weisberg’s account – construal and autonomy – I conclude that this characterisation answers several questions about the role of data and problems of representation in the Principia: Newton’s mathematical principles are not data-driven, and his representations of the phenomenon is indirect. Remarkably, this characterisation also shows that model-based sciences did not originate with the development of economics, ecology and evolutionary biology in the twentieth century, but played a foundational role in the development of the Newtonian revolution. About the Speaker Kirsten Walsh, a Visiting Scholar in the UofC Department of Philosophy this year, is a PhD Candidate at the University of Otago in New Zealand. Her main research interests are early modern philosophy and the philosophy of science (with an historical bent). Her dissertation (submitted before coming to Calgary) focuses on the scientific methodology of Isaac Newton. Whilst in Calgary, she plans to continue her research world as part of a team studying the emergence of experimental philosophy in the early modern period. For more Philosophy events go to http://phil.ucalgary.ca/calendar

Location:

Social Sciences Building Room 1253

More information at http://www.ucalgary.ca/events/calendar/philosophy-speakers-kirsten-walsh-newton-modeller