Isaac Newton: Laws of motion from the law of God | Stephen Meyer on the Scientific Revolution

The Scientific Revolution and Its Roots

• The period known as the Scientific Revolution marked a significant shift in how humanity approached science, culminating in the remarkable contributions of figures like Johannes Kepler, Galileo, and Isaac Newton. Historical analyses suggest that this shift was influenced largely by Judeo-Christian beliefs, which shaped the philosophical underpinnings of modern science.

• Historians question why science developed in its modern form during the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe, given that many other advanced civilizations had existed prior. This inquiry leads to the recognition that while various cultures made significant achievements such as constructing aqueducts or pyramids, the unique presuppositions held by the Western Christian milieu catalyzed the emergence of modern scientific inquiry.

• A fundamental belief that arose during this period was the confidence in the intelligibility of nature, suggesting that reason and empirical investigation could reveal patterns and order in the natural world. This belief was anchored in the conviction that humanity was created in the image of God, enabling the pursuit of understanding the rational structure of God's creation.

• One of the driving principles was the idea that nature is not only intelligible but also orderly, reflecting God's own nature. This orderly perspective motivated scientists like Newton to investigate the natural world empirically, rather than relying solely on speculative philosophy or pre-existing doctrines.

"The impulse to investigate empirically was a direct consequence of the idea of a contingent created order."

Key Philosophical Assumptions of Modern Science

• Historians have identified three key assumptions that underpinned the rise of modern scientific thought: First, the notion that nature is intelligible to human intellect; second, the belief in the orderly nature of the world as an expression of a God of order; and third, that nature is a contingent order, signifying that God, as a free agent, could have created nature in multiple ways.

• Figures like Isaac Newton epitomized this blend of scientific inquiry and theological thought, proactively exploring the natural laws governing the universe while firmly rooted in the theological principles of his time. Rather than taking natural law for granted, he, along with his contemporaries, sought to uncover the specific ways in which nature operated.

• The Engaging in rigorous empirical investigations marked a departure from prior philosophies that relied primarily on deductive reasoning, signifying a crucial transformation towards scientifically grounded inquiry.

"We shouldn't try to deduce what God must have done; we must go and look and see what He actually did do."

The Doctrine of Creation and Natural Laws

• The discussion emphasizes the significance of the "doctrine of creation" and its influence on the understanding of the natural world as articulated in Scripture. Early scientists, referred to as natural philosophers, posited that the existence of laws of nature implies a Divine lawgiver, reflecting the belief found in the Hebrew Bible and demonstrated through biblical texts such as Hebrews, which describe God sustaining the universe.

• These laws are perceived as manifestations of God's orderly and consistent character, underpinning the regularities observed in nature. The regularities, or "laws of nature," serve as a basis for understanding both the universe and its workings, and they represent a biblical concept at its core. This belief leads to a recognition that miracles signify divine interventions that occur outside these established laws, highlighting a distinction between ordinary and extraordinary occurrences.

"Miracles are always detectable because people are aware of ordinary regularities."

Miracles and Agent Causation

• There is a nuanced approach to understanding miracles, suggesting they should not be viewed as violations of natural laws but instead instances of divine agency operating within the framework of those laws. For example, when discussing events like a storm or Jesus walking on water, it's emphasized that natural laws continue to function simultaneously while God acts within the natural order.

• Such events can be explained as God introducing new causal factors into the existing framework of natural laws, akin to how a person can change the outcome of a billiard shot by introducing an outside influence. This perspective asserts that biblical miracles demonstrate God acting within natural law rather than discarding it entirely.

"Biblical miracles are instances where God acts as an agent within the matrix of natural law."

Isaac Newton's Early Life and Influence

• Isaac Newton was born in 1642, the same year Galileo passed away. His life presents a fascinating narrative, as his father died before his birth, and he was subsequently raised by relatives after his mother remarried. Despite a tumultuous early life, he showed an early aptitude for creating machines and understanding substances while studying at school.

• Newton's academic journey led him to Cambridge at age 18, where he initially lacked formal education in geometry but demonstrated a strong inclination toward mathematics and physics. His remarkable year, dubbed the "miraculous year," coincided with the plague in 1666 which shuttered Cambridge, essentially propelling Newton into a period of intense academic and personal growth during which many of his foundational ideas flourished.

"Newton’s early life was shaped by loss and resilience, fostering a profound curiosity about the natural world."

Early Life and Mathematical Awakening

• Following a period when students were sent home, Isaac Newton returned to his hometown in Lincolnshire. During a year spent at his family home, he focused on self-study and personal development. By 1664, his tutor Isaac Barrow identified him as deficient in mathematics, but by 1666, less than two years later, Newton had fully mastered the corpus of Western mathematics. This included classical geometrical concepts from the Greeks through to advancements in analytical geometry, which laid the groundwork for his significant contributions to calculus.

• This crucial year of 1666 also saw him tackle the long-standing mathematical problem of finding the area under irregular curves, a challenge that had puzzled mathematicians for centuries.

"By 1666, he had mastered the whole corpus of Western mathematics, setting him up to make groundbreaking developments in calculus."

The Genesis of Calculus and Universal Gravitation

• During 1666, while isolated at home, Newton began sketching ideas about universal gravitation, which he would not publish until 1687. Remarkably, he derived calculus independently, a subject generally encountered by students in their senior year of high school or during college, and he did this at the age of 24—just two years after being found in need of basic remediation in mathematics.

• This period of reflection and discovery underscores the extraordinary nature of his intellectual growth. His mathematical tutor, Isaac Barrow, had himself been influenced by John Ray, a botanical scholar who believed that nature reveals the wisdom of God.

"In 1666, he began sketching ideas about universal gravitation which he would not publish until 1687."

Influence of Theology on Newton’s Work

• Newton was deeply influenced by the theological ideas prevalent in his time, particularly the notion that the wisdom of God could be made manifest through the study of nature—an early instance of natural theology. This perspective framed his scientific inquiries and led him to believe that his explorations in natural philosophy were in essence a pursuit of understanding divine truth.

• He wrote extensively on biblical subjects, surpassing even his scientific writings, thus indicating that his scientific endeavors were informed by a profound commitment to theology. By the end of his life, Newton had produced a vast body of written work on theological commentary.

"He wrote more on the Bible than he wrote about the heavens and science."

The Metaphor of Nature as a Clock

• The metaphor of nature being akin to a great clock illustrates the idea of design in the natural world. This clock, represented by structures like the clock tower in Strasburg, is characterized by its highly regular and orderly functions.

• The mechanisms of nature can be discerned and understood, which implies that if these regularities exist, there must be a designer behind them, similar to how a clock has a creator.

• Notably, Robert Boyle contributed significantly to design arguments, positioning himself as a foundational figure in contemporary intelligent design discourse. His reasoning about nature mirrors modern advocates of intelligent design.

"Nature as a clock is a metaphor that presupposes design."

Design in Astronomy: Boyle and Kepler

• Johannes Kepler also assumed a designed structure in the universe. He found evidence of design in the elegant configuration of the planetary system.

• Both Boyle and Kepler provided intuitive yet effective arguments that align with the contemporary understanding of design in nature, though their methods lacked the rigorous criteria established by modern scientists like William Dembski.

"Boyle is the founder of the contemporary intelligent design movement."

Newton's Arguments for Design

• Isaac Newton offered compelling design arguments, particularly in his work on optics where he highlighted the complexities of the human eye. He suggested that the eye's intricate design anticipates the chromatic properties of light, indicating intentional design.

• In the "General Scholium" of his "Principia," Newton argues that the harmonious arrangement of the solar system is a hallmark of an intelligent and powerful being's influence. He emphasizes that the remarkable stability of the solar system cannot be attributed to random events, but instead points to an orchestrated design.

"This most beautiful system of sun, planets, and comets could only proceed from the council and dominion of an intelligent and powerful being."

Misunderstandings of Newton’s Arguments

• Some critics have misinterpreted Newton's design arguments as 'God of the gaps' reasoning, suggesting he invoked divine intervention to resolve uncertainties in planetary motions. However, Newton's claims reflect an understanding of stable orbits without necessitating divine correction.

• His arguments suggest that the balance and stability inherent in the planetary system imply an initial act of design, echoing modern fine-tuning discussions in physics. The improbability of the existing system points to an orchestrating mind behind its origins.

"He invokes divine action to explain the origin of the system; it's an initial condition fine-tuning argument."

The Debate on Resurrection and Mechanics

• The discussion opens with a philosophical question about belief in Jesus Christ's resurrection, challenging viewers to contemplate the implications of belief or skepticism surrounding the physical resurrection. This sets the stage for exploring deeper philosophical and scientific ideas regarding causation and explanation in nature.

• The mechanical philosophy is introduced as an advancement in scientific thought, which sought to remove "occult properties" from explanations of natural phenomena. This shift aimed to rely on observable physical mechanisms instead of abstract concepts.

"Why would anyone believe that a man named Jesus died and rose from the dead?"

Newton's Influence and The Challenge of Gravity

• Sir Isaac Newton's significant contribution to science is introduced with his mathematical proofs describing gravitational forces and their correspondence to celestial phenomena, such as the bending of orbits in space. His work demonstrates that gravity is not purely a local interaction but can act at a distance, raising questions about the nature of this force.

• The video highlights the contrast between Newton's approach and earlier theories like the Vortex Theory, which posited that an invisible substance called ether caused the planets to move. Newton critically examines these theories, stating that they present many difficulties.

"The theory of vortices is beset by many difficulties."

The Controversy of Action at a Distance

• The concept of "action at a distance" becomes a point of contention, as critics, including Newton's rival Gottfried Leibniz, challenge Newton's implications that gravitational attraction occurs without a physical mechanism. Leibniz contends that such thinking revives the "occult properties" dismissed by mechanical philosophers.

• Newton's response to Leibniz's critique, relayed through correspondence rather than direct engagement, establishes that he does not offer a specific causal explanation for gravity but instead provides a precise mathematical framework for its behavior.

"Hypothesis non fingo, which means I don't pretend to know a cause."

The Ongoing Mystery of Fundamental Forces

• The discussion shifts to the contemporary understanding of physical forces, noting that science still lacks definitive mechanistic explanations for fundamental forces such as gravity. While Newton's mathematical descriptions are accurate, they do not reveal the underlying cause of these forces.

• The introduction of concepts like gravitons and Einstein's theory of gravity emphasizes the complexity surrounding gravitational attraction and the absence of a simplistic mechanical framework to explain it.

"We do not have mechanistic explanations for what causes those forces."

Newton's Theological Views on Natural Theology

• In private correspondence with Bishop Bentley, who was preparing a lecture on natural theology, Newton expressed his belief that divine action is continually at work in the universe. He highlighted that gravity, according to his view, is a result of "constant Spirit action" rather than a purely materialistic explanation, pointing to the necessity of an immaterial agent, which he identified as God, as the source of gravitational force.

• Newton's approach suggests an underlying order in nature, one that mathematics can describe, indicating that there must be an immaterial agent behind these laws of nature. He argued that the attributes required for such action are unique to God.

"If you miss Newton's theism, you've missed everything."

The Nature of Scientific Explanations

• Despite criticisms that Newton’s theological views were a "science stopper," the speaker argues that Newton was, in fact, a "science starter." He developed design arguments that evidenced a theological perspective, illustrating how nature points towards a divine creator.

• The speaker insists that Newton's work was informed by a theological framework that motivated his scientific inquiries, ultimately aiming to demonstrate the mathematical order of nature as reflecting God's mind.

"His work was an expression of a theological project."

The Ongoing Mysteries in Science

• The conversation shifts to the inherent mysteries within scientific inquiry. Even fundamental concepts like energy leave scientists puzzled about their ultimate nature, showcasing that much of science relies on naming effects without fully understanding the underlying mechanisms.

• The speaker emphasizes that many scientific explanations involve inferring the existence of unobservable entities to explain observable phenomena, revealing a deeper layer of mystery in scientific laws.

"Science is much more mysterious than people realize."

Laws of Nature — Descriptive or Causal?

• There is a common conceptual error in interpreting the laws of nature as causal rather than descriptive. The speaker uses Newton’s law of gravitation as an example, arguing that it only describes the force present under given conditions instead of causing the gravitational attraction itself.

• The analogy provided compares the laws of nature to lines of longitude and latitude on a map, which help locate features but do not cause them to exist or happen.

"To say that the law of gravity is causing something to happen is a category mistake."

The Mystery of Conscious Experience and the Brain

• The discussion begins by highlighting the complex relationship between conscious experience and how the brain processes signals. The example of sensory perception is given, illustrating how sound travels to the eardrum or light to the optic nerve, ultimately leading to interpretation in the mind.

• A noteworthy anecdote is shared about an examination at an optometrist's office, where the speaker inquires about how vision functions. Despite being shown the anatomy of the eye, when asking about the actual image seen, the optometrist admits, "nobody knows."

"Despite understanding the anatomy of vision, the actual image we perceive remains a mystery."

Newton's Theological Contributions and Controversies

• The conversation shifts to Isaac Newton's writings on theology, revealing that he authored over a million words related to biblical interpretation. The discussion touches on the controversy surrounding whether Newton adhered to orthodox Christian beliefs, particularly regarding the Trinity and the nature of Christ.

• It is explained that Newton engaged deeply with theological questions, writing extensively on prophecies, such as those found in the Book of Daniel, indicating his belief in the coming of the Messiah. It raises the question of whether he viewed Christ as divine or merely a created being.

"Newton’s extensive writings reveal his complex theological viewpoint, raising questions about his stance on Christ's divinity."

The Debate Over Arianism and Newton's Beliefs

• Arianism is defined as a heretical view that posits Christ as not truly divine but a created being, a notion rooted in early Christian controversies. The discussion indicates that Newton's theological evolution is evidenced over time, particularly concerning his views on Christ's nature.

• A key point is made regarding Newton’s initial beliefs in the late 1670s, suggesting he might have viewed Christ as a created divine being, differing from traditional doctrine which states Christ is "begotten not made."

"Arianism's premise challenges orthodox Christian beliefs, and Newton's initial theology mirrored aspects of this controversy."

The Evolution of Newton's Thought on the Trinity

• The discussion concludes with an exploration of how Newton's ideas may have evolved throughout his life. Despite early writings that indicated a belief in Christ’s creation, later reflections seemed to point towards a stronger stance on the divinity of Christ.

• The contributions of historians like Steven Snow and Thomas Fitzmyer are mentioned, with each scholar providing contrasting interpretations of Newton’s theology. This indicates that Newton's views were complex and did not easily fit within existing doctrinal categories.

"Newton's writings reveal an evolution in thought, illustrating a struggle to reconcile his beliefs with established doctrines of the Trinity."

Newton's Understanding of the Trinity

• Isaac Newton grappled with the traditional formulations of the Trinity, specifically critiquing the idea of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit being of one substance. He found this Greek philosophical perspective problematic because it did not align with scripture. Newton was committed to rooting his theological beliefs in biblical texts rather than philosophical abstractions, positing that concepts like 'substance' were foreign to the scriptural context. This led him to adopt a view of the relationship between the divine persons that emphasized unity in dominion and authority, rather than essence or substance.

"Newton believed that Christ is divine, the Holy Spirit is divine, and God the Father is divine, but he could not affirm their unity of substance."

Historical Interpretations of Newton's Theology

• Scholars debate whether Newton can be classified as a Trinitarian or an Arian. Some historians, like FitzMeyer, argue he remains within orthodox boundaries by framing the Trinity around concepts of authority rather than substance. Conversely, Snow claims that this perspective indicates a rejection of traditional Trinitarianism, positioning Newton closer to Arianism. Both scholars acknowledge that Newton expressed deep theological insights, including a high regard for Christ as mediator and savior, yet differed in interpreting the implications of his beliefs on orthodoxy.

"There's an interesting debate about Newton's beliefs; some say he affirms unity of authority, which is still seen as a form of Trinitarianism."

The Evolution of Newton's Beliefs Over Time

• Newton's conception of God and the Trinity evolved over twenty years, challenging assumptions that he strictly adhered to early beliefs. His personal experiences, particularly being born on Christmas day without his father, influenced his high regard for God the Father, fostering a unique relationship to the divine. This personal narrative shaped his theology, highlighting a clear distinction between his understanding of God and Christ that may not align neatly with established categorizations of heresy.

"Newton's theology reflects a deep devotion to God the Father, shaped by his life circumstances."

Complexities in Understanding the Trinity

• Understanding the Trinity remains a challenge, even for deep thinkers like Newton. His views do not fit all traditional categories of heresy, reflecting a nuanced understanding that cannot easily be pigeonholed. Newton believed in the divinity of all three persons of the Trinity but emphasized their relationship based on authority rather than substance. This approach places him in a unique theological position that has led to ongoing debates among scholars regarding his orthodoxy.

"Newton does not neatly fit any predetermined category of Trinitarian thought; he expresses a complex understanding of divine relationships."

Understanding Aryan Identity and Trinitarian Concepts

• The discussion revolves around how individuals engaged with the concept of an Aryan identity early in their lives, leading to nuanced theological reflections throughout their existence. The individual mentioned makes subtle anti-Trinitarian arguments, even as the Trinitarian view of the time was articulated using Greek philosophical categories.

• A particular analogy used involves three bodies subject to the force of gravity, which serves as a metaphor for the relationships among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The analogy emphasizes how one body can affect another while still being influenced by the same central force, ultimately reflecting on the complexities of understanding the Trinity.

• The speaker highlights the paradoxical difficulty of grasping theological concepts, asserting that while the individuality of Christ and the unity with the Father are strongly affirmed, these are not easily articulated within Greek philosophical frameworks.

"The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son, similar to how one body can affect another while under the influence of a shared force."

Upcoming Lectures on Nanotechnology

• An announcement is made regarding a forthcoming series of lectures on nanotechnology that will comprise around 12 sessions. These lectures are derived from an undergraduate course, aimed at providing insights into the intersection of technology and business.

• The content will include discussions on transforming academic work into a commercial enterprise and experiences related to starting companies based on academic foundations. The interactive component will feature dialogues with students for illustrative purposes.

"I will be featuring a series of lectures on nanotechnology that explore how to turn academic technologies into businesses."

Recognition of Academic Influences

• The speaker acknowledges various scholars who have significantly contributed to the understanding of Newton and his work. Names such as Ted Davis and Simon Schaffer are noted for their expertise and influence in the field of Newtonian studies, offering further resources for those interested in deepening their knowledge.

"There are people who know this stuff better than I do, such as Ted Davis and Simon Schaffer."