An essay on the powers and mechanism of nature; : intended, by a deeper analysis of physical principles, to extend, improve, and more firmly establish, the grand superstructure of the Newtonian system. / By Robert Young.

  • Young, Robert
Date:
M DCC LXXXVIII. [1788]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on the powers and mechanism of nature; : intended, by a deeper analysis of physical principles, to extend, improve, and more firmly establish, the grand superstructure of the Newtonian system. / By Robert Young. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    [ xlv ] being too much, it becomes nothing; by uniting two contraries it deftroys both. The vis imprejfa hath no clear idea an- nexed to it, neither as a fubftance nor a quality ; it hath no intelligible mode of operating ; it a6ls, and ceafes to aft, in a manner equally inconceivable. Wanting fimplicity, clearnefs, and con- fiflency, thefe principles afford very little fatisfaftion to the mind; wanting proof or evidence, they have no other claim to our acceptance, than the authority of their author, which hath too long, • already, preferved their credit with the world. So long as we conceived matter to be im- penetrable, and endowed with a power of perfevering at reft or in motion, it ap- peared to me, that no true or fatisfaftory principle could be difcovered for the ex- planation of effefts. It was neceffary to get rid of thefe before others could be fub- ftituted in their room. For this reafon I publifhed, fome time ago, an examination of the phyficai prin- ciples