De Corpore
Encyclopedia
De Corpore is a 1655 book by Thomas Hobbes
. As its full Latin title Elementorum philosophiae sectio prima De corpore implies, it was part of a larger work, conceived as a trilogy. De Cive
had already appeared, while De Homine would be published in 1658. Hobbes had in fact been drafting De Corpore for at least a decade before its appearance, putting it aside for other matters.
Although the chosen title would suggest a work of natural philosophy
, De Corpore is largely devoted to foundational matters. It consists of four sections. Part I covers logic
. Part II and Part III concern “abstract bodies”: the second part is a repertoire of scientific concepts, and the third of geometry
. The Chapters 16 to 20 of Part III are in fact devoted to mathematics
generally, in a reductive way, and proved controversial. They proposed a kinematic foundation for geometry, which Hobbes wished to equate with mathematics; geometry itself, that is, is a “science of motion”. Hobbes here adopts ideas from Galileo and Cavalieri
. The inclusion of a claimed solution for squaring the circle
, an apparent afterthought rather than a systematic development, and largely retracted by Hobbes himself, led to an extended pamphlet war. It is in Part IV, on natural phenomena, that there is discussion of physics
as such.
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury , in some older texts Thomas Hobbs of Malmsbury, was an English philosopher, best known today for his work on political philosophy...
. As its full Latin title Elementorum philosophiae sectio prima De corpore implies, it was part of a larger work, conceived as a trilogy. De Cive
De Cive
De Cive is a book by Thomas Hobbes published in 1642, and one of his major works.It anticipates the classical republican line of argument in the better-known Leviathan...
had already appeared, while De Homine would be published in 1658. Hobbes had in fact been drafting De Corpore for at least a decade before its appearance, putting it aside for other matters.
Although the chosen title would suggest a work of natural philosophy
Natural philosophy
Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature , is a term applied to the study of nature and the physical universe that was dominant before the development of modern science...
, De Corpore is largely devoted to foundational matters. It consists of four sections. Part I covers logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
. Part II and Part III concern “abstract bodies”: the second part is a repertoire of scientific concepts, and the third of geometry
Geometry
Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers ....
. The Chapters 16 to 20 of Part III are in fact devoted to mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
generally, in a reductive way, and proved controversial. They proposed a kinematic foundation for geometry, which Hobbes wished to equate with mathematics; geometry itself, that is, is a “science of motion”. Hobbes here adopts ideas from Galileo and Cavalieri
Cavalieri
Cavalieri is an Italian surname.* Bonaventura Cavalieri , Italian mathematician* Caterina Cavalieri , Italian opera soprano* Diego Cavalieri Cavalieri is an Italian surname.* Bonaventura Cavalieri (1598–1647), Italian mathematician* Caterina Cavalieri (1755–1801), Italian opera soprano*...
. The inclusion of a claimed solution for squaring the circle
Squaring the circle
Squaring the circle is a problem proposed by ancient geometers. It is the challenge of constructing a square with the same area as a given circle by using only a finite number of steps with compass and straightedge...
, an apparent afterthought rather than a systematic development, and largely retracted by Hobbes himself, led to an extended pamphlet war. It is in Part IV, on natural phenomena, that there is discussion of physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
as such.