Action Quote by Isaac Newton
“To derive two or three general Principles of Motion from Phænomena, and afterwards to tell us how the Properties and Actions of all corporeal Things follow from those manifest Principles, would be a very great step in Philosophy.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Principia Mathematica, 1687
Newton proposes deriving universal motion principles from observable phenomena to explain all physical properties and actions.
In simple terms: Explain physics by observing motion.
Key Takeaway
Seek underlying laws.
Themes
physics
philosophy
science
methodology
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
scientific
philosophical
When to use this quote
- teaching physics
- research
- engineering
- philosophical inquiry
Key Concepts
mechanics
causality
universal laws
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we test these derived principles?
- What limits exist in reducing phenomena?
A Different Perspective
Complex systems may not reduce neatly to simple principles.
![“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)
