engleski

The Concept of Space in Bošković’s Hypothesis of Forces (De viribus vivis, 1745)

In the treatise De viribus vivis Bošković tried to execute two main tasks: to explain 'the generation of velocity' and 'the primary properties of bodies'. The basic principle upon which this task was based was Leibniz's principle of continuity (Nihil in natura per saltum fieri). Bošković's criticism of the rival hypotheses (of potencies, living forces, impulse or the continuous extension of matter) showed that all of them entail an inadequate concept of space, especially with respect to the principle of continuity. Bošković solved both problems by means of his (1) 'hypothesis of forces' and his (2) model of 'physical and real points'. 'The generation of velocity' occurs instantaneously in an infinitely small and continuous spatial interval as an effect of the determination which 'physical points' possess for their motions. 'Primary properties of bodies' are reduced on spatial dispositions of 'physical points' situated on certain limits of attraction and repulsion. Bošković 's construction of an adequate concept of space is founded on the idea of the continuous 'extension of forces'.

Bošković; De viribus vivis; hypothesis of forces; space

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