Philosophy 382
Bradford Skow

	
						Handout on Newton
			


Newton's "Master Argument" for substantivalism:


	1. 	If true motion cannot be defined in terms of relative motion, then 
		true motion must be defined as change of place.

	2. 	If true motion must be defined as change of place, then 
		substantivalism is true.

	3. 	True motion cannot be defined in terms of relative motion.

	4. 	Therefore, substantivalism is true.
	
	
	
	
	
The schematic form of Newton's arguments for premise 3 (the arguments from
properties, causes, and effects of motion):


	1.	If true motion can be defined in terms of relative motion, then some 
		kind of relative motion has property/cause/effect X.

	2. 	It is not the case that some kind of relative motion has property/cause
		effect X.

	3. 	Therefore, true motion cannot be defined in terms of relative 
		motion.