Hertz:

see above page 378

 

Hertz (eliminates “force”): * see EndNote<A>

Hertz was a German physicist who first proved the existence of the electromagnetic waves.  He is most famous for this discovery but he was also a contributor to the philosophy of science.  The Neo-Kantians of the Marburg school championed him & his re-constitution of Physics.  Hertz’s radical views was introduced in his book Principles of Mechanics (1894); here he uses only the notions of space, time, and mass while dispensing force, an approach which fundamentally reconceptualises the traditional notion of “mass”.  Book I of this work draws out the implications of the fundamental ideas: space, time & mass, concepts initially intuitive, independent of experience.  Hertz's theory can best be understood in relation to Kantian philosophy: our intuitions are peculiarly adapted to fit the general form of what we experience.  His account of mechanics represents an early attempt to see a scientific theory as a system & to bring out its logical structure accordingly.

 

ἀρχή:

see above page 383

 

Newton (his religion):

born into an Anglican family, he saw a monotheistic God as the masterful creator whose existence could not be denied in the face of the grandeur of all creation.   However by his 30s he held a number of unorthodox beliefs: he was anti-Trinitarian, rejected the orthodox doctrines of the immortal soul, a personal devil & literal demons.  Although considered an insightful and erudite theologian; he wrote many works bordering on occult studies.  He spent a great deal of time trying to discover hidden messages in the Bible.  In a manuscript (1704) he describes his attempts to extract scientific information from the Bible.  Newton relied upon the existing Scripture for prophecy, believing his interpretations would set the record straight in the face of what he considered to be, "so little understood". 

 

13th Century Mystics (concept of God & the World):

It is far from clear what Spengler means in this comparison, between Newton & 13th Century Mystics.  He paraphrases Newton making it difficult to find the exact quote and hence fully understand the meaning.  Likewise, his reference to “Mystics” is vague.  The latter consisted of many individuals spread across many different European territories without any necessary philosophical unity.  However, given that Spengler was German he might have been referring to the greatest German mystic of the 13th century, Master Eckhart (1260-1328).  As a Mystic he promoted the idea of a direct relation between man and God, independent of Church or communion or priesthood.  Eckhart inspired Tauler and Suso, German mystics who worked with the Brethren of the Free Spirit.  Tauler taught (echoing Eckhart) that the state of the soul was affected more by a personal relationship with God than by external practices (e.g. the sacraments). .

 

Newton (" hypotheses non fingo"): * see EndNote<B>

Latin, meaning "I frame no hypotheses", phrase used by Newton in an essay, "General Scholium", appended to the 1713 edition of the Principia. 

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Necessity ( physical notion):

aka physical necessity, or nomological necessity, is compulsion according to the laws of nature.  It is grounded in the laws of physics (e.g. increased heat at a constant volume necessitates or causes higher pressure).   Some philosophers first give a theory of what laws of nature are and then can say on that basis that events happen with nomological necessity when they happen because of the laws.