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A Filosofia da Natureza de Robert Boyle: um estudo a partir da sua hipótese mecânica
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Esta tese é sobre a filosofia da natureza de Robert Boyle que subjaz à sua investigação experimental da natureza. Uma vez que Boyle é um dos mais conhecidos promotores da filosofia mecânica ou corpuscular, é frequente encontrar-se autores que lhe atribuem uma filosofia da natureza mecanicista, segundo a qual a matéria é inerte e as entidades naturais carecem de poderes ativos. Esta interpretação casa bem com a ideia, também atribuída a Boyle por muitos autores, segundo a qual as leis da natureza são impostas por Deus, a todo o momento, ao mundo. Dado que a matéria é meramente passiva, a fonte da atividade e da ordem na natureza tem de proceder de fora da natureza. O principal objetivo deste trabalho é averiguar se, de facto, a filosofia da natureza de Boyle é mecanicista ou se, pelo contrário, pressupõe que a atividade que se observa no mundo procede dos poderes causais que os corpos possuem em virtude das suas essências. Há boas razões para interpretar a filosofia da natureza de Boyle deste modo, uma vez que invoca frequentemente as naturezas dos corpos, os seus poderes e tendências, para explicar os fenómenos naturais. Existem também razões fortes para considerar que a ordem que se observa na natureza procede das essências dos seres naturais. Uma vez que um dos principais motivos que leva a pensar que Boyle tem em mente uma filosofia da natureza mecanicista é a excelência que atribui à sua hipótese mecânica, este trabalho começa pela consideração do papel da hipótese mecânica no estudo experimental da natureza.
This thesis is about the philosophy of nature of Robert Boyle that lies in the background of his experimental study of nature. Since Boyle is one of the most wellknown promoters of the mechanical or corpuscular philosophy, it is usual to find authors that attribute to him a mechanistic philosophy of nature, i.e., a philosophy based on the notions that matter is inert and that natural entities lack active powers. This way of interpreting Boyle’s philosophy of nature is compatible with the idea, also attributed to him by many authors, that the laws of nature are constantly imposed on the world by God. Since matter is merely passive, the source of activity and order must come from outside nature. The main goal of this thesis is to see whether Boyle’s philosophy of nature is mechanistic or, on the contrary, if it presupposes that the source of activity that we see in the word are the causal powers that bodies have according to their essences. There are good reasons to interpret Boyle’s philosophy of nature this way, because he frequently invokes the natures of bodies, their powers and tendencies, to explain natural phenomena. There are also good reasons to think that the order that we see in nature comes from the essences of natural beings. Since one of the main motives to consider that Boyle has in mind a mechanistic philosophy of nature is his defense of the excellency of the mechanical hypothesis, this work starts with a study of the role of the mechanical hypothesis in the experimental study of nature.
This thesis is about the philosophy of nature of Robert Boyle that lies in the background of his experimental study of nature. Since Boyle is one of the most wellknown promoters of the mechanical or corpuscular philosophy, it is usual to find authors that attribute to him a mechanistic philosophy of nature, i.e., a philosophy based on the notions that matter is inert and that natural entities lack active powers. This way of interpreting Boyle’s philosophy of nature is compatible with the idea, also attributed to him by many authors, that the laws of nature are constantly imposed on the world by God. Since matter is merely passive, the source of activity and order must come from outside nature. The main goal of this thesis is to see whether Boyle’s philosophy of nature is mechanistic or, on the contrary, if it presupposes that the source of activity that we see in the word are the causal powers that bodies have according to their essences. There are good reasons to interpret Boyle’s philosophy of nature this way, because he frequently invokes the natures of bodies, their powers and tendencies, to explain natural phenomena. There are also good reasons to think that the order that we see in nature comes from the essences of natural beings. Since one of the main motives to consider that Boyle has in mind a mechanistic philosophy of nature is his defense of the excellency of the mechanical hypothesis, this work starts with a study of the role of the mechanical hypothesis in the experimental study of nature.
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Palavras-chave
Hipótese mecânica Poder causal Causa eficiente Substância Acidentes Essência Qualidade Concurso Lei da natureza Necessidade