Arguing Quote by Isaac Newton
“The main Business of Natural Philosophy is to argue from Phænomena without feigning Hypotheses, and to deduce Causes from Effects till we come to the very first Cause, which certainly is not mechanical; and not only to unfold the Mechanism of the World, but chiefly to resolve these, and to such like Questions.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Treatise on Natural Philosophy, 1687
Science should explain phenomena by observing effects and deducing causes, seeking the ultimate, non‑mechanical origin of the universe.
In simple terms: Science seeks causes from effects, aiming for a fundamental origin.
Key Takeaway
Pursue underlying causes beyond appearances.
Themes
science
philosophy
causality
inquiry
Mood
inquisitive
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
scientific
When to use this quote
- research methodology
- academic teaching
- philosophical debate
- theoretical modeling
Key Concepts
empiricism
metaphysics
first cause
Questions to Reflect On
- What is the ultimate cause of existence?
- Can we ever fully know the first cause?
A Different Perspective
Some argue a mechanical explanation may suffice for all phenomena.
![“Do not Bodies act upon Light at a distance, and by their action bend its Rays; and is not this action (caeteris paribus) [all else being equal] strongest at the least distance?” quote by Isaac Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f9c/isaac-newton-1226_action_do-not-bodies-act-upon-light-at-a-distan_90238.jpg)
![“I am ashamed to tell you to how many figures I carried these calculations [of Pi], having no other business at the time” quote by Isaac Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/93f/isaac-newton-1226_ashamed_i-am-ashamed-to-tell-you-to-how-many-fig_106544.jpg)
