Though generally recognized as a formative force in his philosophy, Thomas Reid’s Newtonianism and his philosophy of science has not received due attention among scholars. My aim is to inaugurate a detailed survey. In ch. 1 it is shown that Reid demarcates physics as against metaphysics and theology, making his brand of Newtonianism different from first generation moral and religious Newtonianism. In ch. 2 it is argued that "Newtonian" is not an apt label on Reid’s call for a Science of the human mind. Neither his practice within the field, nor his methodological views, make lawlike connections the central kind of truth to be discovered. Ch. 3 is devoted to Reid’s account of the 1st and 2nd of Newton’s Regulae Philosophandi, and an ensuing notion of explanation which approaches the deductive-nomological model. It is shown that Reid’s account is very much his own, though presented as an explication of Newton’s intentions. Reid’s dismissive view towards simplicity as a guide in scientific reasoning leans on Bacon’s theory of idols and Reid’s theory of first principles of common sense. Ch 4 concerns hypotheses in connection with Newton’s phrase Hypotheses non fingo. It is argued that Reid does not mind speculation about unobservable or theoretical entities, and that his objections to particular ether theories are scientific rather than principled. Nonetheless, since Reid does not explain the difference between powerful conjecture and established truth, his notion of scientific reasoning remains elusive. Ch 5 concerns Reid’s views on the concept and ontology of forces of attraction. It is argued that Reid takes forces to be physical entities open for empirical enquiry, and that forces are neither active, nor efficient. Finally, Reid’s view of metaphysics is considered, and further differences with early Newtonians emphasised.

L’étude des ouvrages de physique publiés au 18e siècle montre que l’évolution depuis le 17e siècle est loin de se limiter à l’approfondissement des seules découvertes de Newton, comme on a souvent tendance à le présenter aujourd’hui. La physique mécaniste de Descartes, attaquée par Newton, va continuer de se développer avec l’aide de nombreux savants, en particulier de l’Académie des Sciences parisienne. Les débats entre cartésiens et newtoniens ne sont toujours pas éteints dans les années 1740. Ce véritable duel scientifique de plus d’un demi-siècle est au cœur d’une réflexion plus large sur la physique et s’exerce sur plusieurs plans : Mathématisation, Concepts, définitions, lois, rôle de l’expérience et des hypothéses, Problèmes philosophiques : les principes, la recherche des causes, les problèmes théologiques. L'objet de cette thèse est de montrer que la diversité des approches et des méthodes tout au long du premier 18e siècle va permettre l’émergence d’une nouvelle conception de la physique. Cette diversité se manifeste dans les écrits d’auteurs nombreux, les savants eux-mêmes, mais aussi ceux qu’on a appelés les transmetteurs, dont le rôle fut très important. / The study of books on physics published in the 18th century shows that the evolution since the 17th century is much more than just a furthering of the discoveries of Newton, as we often tend to present it these days. Descartes’s mechanistic physics, severely criticized by Newton, was to develop with help from many scientists, particularly from the Academy of Sciences in Paris. The discussions between Cartesians and Newtonians did not end in the 1740’s. This real scientific duel, which lasted over half a century, was the heart of a broader way of thinking about physics which operated on several levels: Mathématization, Concepts, définitions, laws, the role of experimentation and hypotheses, Philosophical problems: principles, the search of the causes, theological problems. The aim of this thesis is to show that the variety of the approaches and the methods throughout the early 18th century was to allow the creation of a new conception of physics. This variety appears in the works of many authors, who were either scientists themselves, or transmitters of science, who played a very important role, too.

Esta pesquisa analisa a recepção das ideias de Isaac Newton que está expressa na obra do português Luís António Verney (1713 1792). Trata-se de um estudo de caso sobre o newtonianismo, fenômeno histórico da cultura iluminista, realizado aqui a partir de uma investigação acerca da compreensão conceitual da filosofia natural de Newton a que chegou Verney, bem como de algumas das intenções deste autor ao adotar determinadas concepções da ciência moderna e aplicá-las em seu projeto pedagógico, voltado a uma reforma no sistema de ensino português. As análises do texto de Verney estão problematizadas a partir de questões em torno do empirismo, do instrumental matemático e da concepção mecanicista de natureza, buscando avaliar suas respectivas relações com a física de Newton, e assim melhor conhecer as concepções que operavam nos seguintes intentos de Verney: afastar a influência dos jesuítas sobre a educação em Portugal, evitar as possíveis contradições entre sua fé católica e as concepções da filosofia natural moderna e, finalmente, adotar uma física que a ele se apresentava como muito promissora para o desenvolvimento econômico do reino. / This research analyzes the reception of Isaac Newtons ideas which is expressed in the work of the Portuguese Luís António Verney (1713-1792). This is a case study on the Newtonianism, historical phenomenon of the Enlightenment culture, held here from an investigation of the conceptual understanding of Newton\'s natural philosophy reached by Verney, as well as some of the authors intentions to adopt certain modern science concepts and apply them in his educational project, aimed at a reform in the Portuguese education system. The analysis of Verneys text are problematized from issues of the empiricism, the mathematical tools and the mechanistic conception of nature, seeking to evaluate their relationships with Newtonian physics. Then, to understand deeply the concepts which worked in the following attempts to Verney: repel the influence of Jesuits on Portuguese education, avoid the possible contradictions between his Catholic faith and modern conceptions of natural philosophy and, eventually, embrace a physics which had presented to him as very promising for the kingdoms economic development.

Esta pesquisa analisa a recepção das ideias de Isaac Newton que está expressa na obra do português Luís António Verney (1713 1792). Trata-se de um estudo de caso sobre o newtonianismo, fenômeno histórico da cultura iluminista, realizado aqui a partir de uma investigação acerca da compreensão conceitual da filosofia natural de Newton a que chegou Verney, bem como de algumas das intenções deste autor ao adotar determinadas concepções da ciência moderna e aplicá-las em seu projeto pedagógico, voltado a uma reforma no sistema de ensino português. As análises do texto de Verney estão problematizadas a partir de questões em torno do empirismo, do instrumental matemático e da concepção mecanicista de natureza, buscando avaliar suas respectivas relações com a física de Newton, e assim melhor conhecer as concepções que operavam nos seguintes intentos de Verney: afastar a influência dos jesuítas sobre a educação em Portugal, evitar as possíveis contradições entre sua fé católica e as concepções da filosofia natural moderna e, finalmente, adotar uma física que a ele se apresentava como muito promissora para o desenvolvimento econômico do reino. / This research analyzes the reception of Isaac Newtons ideas which is expressed in the work of the Portuguese Luís António Verney (1713-1792). This is a case study on the Newtonianism, historical phenomenon of the Enlightenment culture, held here from an investigation of the conceptual understanding of Newton\'s natural philosophy reached by Verney, as well as some of the authors intentions to adopt certain modern science concepts and apply them in his educational project, aimed at a reform in the Portuguese education system. The analysis of Verneys text are problematized from issues of the empiricism, the mathematical tools and the mechanistic conception of nature, seeking to evaluate their relationships with Newtonian physics. Then, to understand deeply the concepts which worked in the following attempts to Verney: repel the influence of Jesuits on Portuguese education, avoid the possible contradictions between his Catholic faith and modern conceptions of natural philosophy and, eventually, embrace a physics which had presented to him as very promising for the kingdoms economic development.