The Logic of Disguise : Descartes' Discovery of the Law of Refraction

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概要

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• The discovery of the sine law of refraction by Descartes has been a source of controversy since its very first publication in 1637. Scholars describe Descartes' demonstration of the law as inadequate and implausible or see in his proof an attempt to cover up plagiarism. Most of this critique stems from a lack of understanding the Cartesian theory of explanation. Descartes aims in the Discourse to find undoubtable knowledge that serves as a basis for his natural philosophy. In his Principles of Philosophy he deduces from his metaphysics several laws of nature and additional rules. However, for the explanation of physical phenomena, Descartes adopts a method different from the one proposed in his Discourse. This paper discusses the logical structure of the demonstration and provides an analysis of the premises and conclusions used in the derivation of the sine law. It is argued that Descartes's explanation of refraction is a continuation of the perspectivists tradition and, ironically, Fermat's account of 1662 is a better application of the Cartesian method.

• 2006-11-30

著者

• Heeffer Albrecht

  Center For Logic And Philosophy Of Science Ghent University

関連論文

• The Logic of Disguise : Descartes' Discovery of the Law of Refraction

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