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%EXPLANATIONS 780816
Our explanations attempt to make what we regard as
unusual---to appear understandable in terms of what we
regard as familiar. If we differ as to what we regard as
unusual and familiar, our explanations will not make
much sense across those differences. Jack may take for
granted what Jill regards as unusual, and seek to
explain what Jill regards as familiar in terms of
what Jill regards as unusual. This will perplex Jill!
Jill will regard such behavior as unusual---even though
Jack will find it very logical. Unless Jack and Jill
are agreed as to what is unusual and what is familiar;
they will not agree as to what are reasonable
explanations, and what are not reasonable
explanations.
Aristotle regarded motion along a straight line at
constant speed as unusual---requiring am
explanation. Aristotle regarded motion towards the surface
of the earth as familiar---requiring no explanation. It
was the nature of objects to tend towards the surface
of the earth. Aristotle's explanations survived for
many hundreds of years---but bore no practical results.
Newton took a different point of view. He took what
Aristotle regarded as requiring an explanation, and
decided to regard it as familiar---not requiring an
explanation. Newton decided to regard motion along a
straight line with constant speed as natural; hardly what
we would normally call "familiar". Newton's choice
occasioned the need for many explanations! Newton then
had to explain the motion which Aristotle regarded as
natural---not needing an explanation. Newton
invented "gravity" to explain falling. Air friction
was invented to explain the slowing down of objects
moving quickly through air. Contact friction was
invented to explain the slowing down of sliding
objects. Viscosity was invented to explain the slowing
down of boats in water when the wind failed a ship.
Even motion in "perfect circles" had to be
explained by Newton; e.g., planets about the sun. The
whole world was filled by Newton with needs for
explanations---where no needs had existed before. Newton's
perspective bore many practical results---but has survived
only a fraction as long as did Aristotle's perspective.
(c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in
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(On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)
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