Certain Philosophical Questions

Isaac Newton wrote the manuscript Questiones quaedam philosophicae at the very beginning of his scientific career. This small notebook thus affords rare insight into the beginnings of Newton''s thought and the foundations of his subsequent intellectual development. The Questiones contains a series of entries in Newton''s hand that range over many topics in science philosophy psychology theology and the foundations of mathematics. These notes written in English provide a very detailed picture of Newton''s early interests and record his critical appraisal of contemporary issues in natural philosophy. Written predominantly in 16645 they give a significant perspective on Newton''s thought just prior to his annus mirabilis 1666. This volume provides a complete transcription of the Questiones together with an ''expansion'' into modern English and a full editorial commentary on the content and significance of the notebook in the development of Newton''s thought. It will be essential reading for all those interested in Newton and the intellectual foundations of science.