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Article ID: CBB000932570

Modes of Explanation in the Aristotelian “Mechanical Problems” (2009)

Early Science and Medicine: A Journal for the Study of Science, Technology and Medicine in the Pre-modern Period
Volume: 14
Pages: 22--42

Publication Date: 2009
Edition Details: Part of special issue: Evidence and Interpretation: Studies on Early Science and Medicine in Honor of John E. Murdoch
Language: English

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Mechanics Geometry Forces Kinematics Physics Explanation; hypotheses; theories Dynamics Ancient Greece Aristotle Euclid

Scholars have been puzzled by the central argument of MP 1 where the author addresses the basic principle behind the balance and lever. It is not clear what is intended to provide the explanation---the dynamic concepts of force and constraint or the geometrical demonstration. Nor is it clear whether the geometrical part of the argument carries any logical force or has value as a proof. This paper makes a case for the cogency of the argument as a kinematic, not dynamic, account. MP 1 proceeds systematically as it extends the explanatory power of the parallelogram of movements from rectilinear motion to circular motion. Euclid's Elements I.43 provides insight on the author's procedure. His general method is demonstrative, as described in Posterior Analytics I.1.

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Article Newman, William R.; Sylla, Edith Dudley (2009) Introduction. Early Science and Medicine: A Journal for the Study of Science, Technology and Medicine in the Pre-modern Period (p. 1). unapi

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