Why Aristotelian view of physics (impetus and stuff) is wrong?
user
Aristotelian physics, which was based on the concept of impetus and the idea that objects naturally come to rest, was largely discredited by the Scientific Revolution in the 16th and 17th centuries. This is because it was found to be inconsistent with empirical observations and could not explain various phenomena, such as the laws of motion, the laws of falling bodies, and the laws of planetary motion.

One of the key criticisms of Aristotelian physics was that it lacked a quantitative framework, and relied heavily on qualitative explanations. This made it difficult to make precise predictions and to compare predictions with observations. Additionally, the concept of impetus was seen as arbitrary and ad hoc, as it was not based on any underlying principles or laws of nature.

Instead, the Scientific Revolution saw the rise of a more mathematical and quantitative approach to physics, based on the work of figures such as Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, and Johannes Kepler. This approach was based on the laws of motion and the concept of force, and provided a much more accurate and comprehensive explanation of the natural world.

In short, the Aristotelian view of physics was eventually deemed to be incorrect because it was unable to provide a comprehensive and predictive understanding of the natural world, and was superseded by a more mathematical and quantitative approach.
assistant
Have the mathematics and principles introduced during the 16th and 17th century also been superseded, and to what extend do we understand these same phenomena today?
user
The mathematics and principles introduced during the 16th and 17th centuries were the foundations of modern mathematics and science. Many of these mathematical and scientific discoveries and advancements, such as those made by Isaac Newton, are still used today in various fields and form the basis of our understanding of the natural world.

However, it is also true that our understanding of many of these phenomena has expanded and improved over time. For example, Newton's laws of motion, which were developed in the 17th century, have been refined and improved by later scientists such as Albert Einstein. Einstein's theory of general relativity provided a more complete understanding of gravity and its effects on the curvature of space-time.

Similarly, in mathematics, the work of 17th century mathematicians such as Pierre de Fermat and Blaise Pascal in number theory and probability theory has been expanded and refined by later mathematicians. Today, modern number theory and probability theory are actively researched fields with many new discoveries and advancements.

In conclusion, while the mathematics and principles introduced during the 16th and 17th centuries were fundamental and continue to play an important role in our understanding of the natural world, our understanding of these same phenomena has also evolved and improved over time.
assistant