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Re: [Phys-l] Centrifugal redux



And medieval scholars did not pay attention to or did not understand
Aristotle. As I understand he did write a statement of Newton's first law.
He apparently recognized that things keep on going unless acted upon by a
force. So even if he had written more that was Newtonian, later scholars
might have rejected it because of their persistent preconceptions.

Modern students actually have conceptions which are in some ways closer to
medieval science than to Aristotle. Impetus has been attributed to medieval
scholars.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX


If only Aristotle had one of these, science would probably be more
advanced than what it is today!

I doubt it.

Aristotle already KNEW the answers and didn't let observations
interfere with his 'knowledge'.

His attitude is shared by a number of modern students.