Kerala Theological Seminary

Kottarakara
Subject: Science and Religion
Topic: Newtonian Mechanics
Submitted to: Rev. Finny Varghese
Submitted by: Solomon Gangmei

Introduction
Newtonian Mechanics is based on application of Newton’s Laws of motion which assume that the
concepts of distance, time, and mass, are absolute, that is, motion is in an internal frame. The
Newtonian idea of the complete separation of space and time, and the concept of the absoluteness of
time, are violated by the theory of Relativity. However, for most practical applications, relativistic
effects are negligible and Newtonian mechanics is an adequate description at low velocities.
1. Newton’s Laws of Motion
Newton’s laws, expressed in terms of linear momentum, are: (1) Law of inertia: A body remains
at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by a force. (2) Equation of motion: A body acted
upon by a force moves in such a manner that the time rate of change of momentum equals the
force. And (3) Action and reaction: If two bodies exert forces on each other these forces are equal
in magnitude and opposite in direction.
1.1. Inertial frames of reference.
An inertial frame of reference is one in which Newton’s laws of motion are valid. It is a non-
accelerated frame of reference. An inertial frame must be homogeneous and isotropic. Physical
experiments can be carried out in different inertial reference frames. The Galilean transformation
provides a means of converting between two inertial frames of reference moving at a constant relative
velocity.
1.2. First-order integrals in Newtonian mechanics.
A fundamental goal of mechanics is to determine the equations of motion for an n-body system,
where individual forces acts on the individual mass of the n-body system. Newton’s second-order
equation of motion must be solved to calculate the instantaneous spatial locations, velocities, and
accelerations for each mass. The first-order integrals facilitate solution of Newton’s second-order
equations of motion.
1.3. Conservation Laws in Classical Mechanics.
The power of conservation laws in calculating classical dynamics makes it useful to combine the
conservation laws with the first integrals for linear momentum, angular momentum, and work-energy,
when solving problems involving Newtonian mechanics. These three conservation laws will be
derived assuming Newton’s laws of motion, however, these conservation laws are fundamental laws
of nature that apply well beyond the domain of applicability of Newtonian mechanics.
2. Newton’s conception of science:
Major contribution was laws of motion and theory of gravitation. He developed the complete
mathematical formation of mechanistic view. Newton opposed the method of theorizing about nature
in attempting to use the new science of mechanics as the foundation for religion and the existence of
God. It sowed the seeds for undermining religion in the 18th century. Deism made God external to the
universe, rather than being Immanent, bound up with what happened within it. There was an
assumption that if the idea of the world as a purposely designed mechanism, pointing to a divine
Designer, was overturned, that would be the end of God and religion Newton’s conception of
mechanistic universe and a wholly rational God completed the shift toward a science that was capable
of answering any question posed by uncovering the laws of the universe. Schneider observes how
Darwinian evolution fits within the schema of Newtonian science, and actually privileges humans by
explaining their success and survivability, and is therefore closer to a theological anthropology that
“literal readers of Genesis 1-2 might appreciate.” (Isaac Newton’s physics reinforced the view of a
mechanistic world determined by laws, the human being an exception. Newton had a place for God in
his scheme of things; he accepted the two books metaphor. But the consequence of his science was to
move God from a mechanical universe. Newton’s mechanical paradigm had an enormous impact in
the wider social and cultural context of the early eighteen century demonstrating that science does not
exist in a vacuum).
2.1. Paradigm in science and paradigm shifts — Newtonian Mechanics.
In the Beginning: The period from around 1680-1800 saw the great flourishing of natural theology.
The great explanatory power of the new science, especially of Newtonian mechanics, was pressed into
service to investigate how the creator had worked and was working. In the process more and more
purely scientific explanations were given a natural phenomenon. At first this was not in tension with
a strongly theistic- Newton regarded God as directly mediating the force of gravity. Newton’s
successors developed the idea of the mechanical universe which accepted action – at –a-distance
without the need for divine meditation, but neither was this necessarily in tension with the narrative of
God’s creative action. Rather the mechanical model was regarded as constituting the hoe of the great
Architect’s work, and was therefore a source of understanding of God’s character. The ‘Book of
Nature’ could be read alongside the ‘Book of scripture’.
2.2.1. From Method to World View:
This Newtonian mechanics becomes much clearer when it is set in its wider cultural context. Europe
had been divided on religious lines after the reformation. Efforts at reconciliation between Roman
Catholic and protestant failed. The first two decades of the seventeen century were marked by
growing intolerance, culminating with the opening shots of the Thirty Years War in 1618. In the wake
of war came severe economic stability, famine and disease. Not surprisingly, apocalyptic speculation
was rife, with Christ’s return widely expected to occur before the end of the century. So this anarchy
generated a desire for other and stability. Religion failed to give peace and harmony and political
leadership of Europe began to seek elsewhere for secure basis for social order. The Newtonian
paradigm in physics represented the successful adaptation of science to the new emphasis of universal
truths of reason. And it did for the natural world what Cartesian rationalism promise to do for human
society- it ushered in a new era of order and stability.
2.2.2. Paradigm Shift and its Impact on Religion:
Newtonian Mechanics: In the case of the law of gravity, Newton novel insight was the idea that the
earth’s gravitational pull might extend to the moon. He had already realized from the laws of motion
that was required to keep the moon in orbit was a centripetal force (towards the earth) not a tangential
force (pushing it along the orbit).
Newton’s laws of motion and gravity seemed applicable to all objects, from the smallest particle in
the laboratory to the farthest planet. This was still a single harmonious order but now it was a
structure of forces and masses rather than a hierarchy of purposes. This magnificent synthesis of
diverse domains was rightly admired, and the perfection of mathematical law made a great impression
on Newton’s contemporaries. It suggested an image of the world as an intricate machine following
immutable laws, with every detail precisely predictable. The English author whom we call scientists
called themselves “natural philosophers” or “virtuosi”, they identified themselves with the Christian
tradition in which they were nourished, and many of them seem to have experienced a personal
response of reverence and awe toward the marvels they beheld. The virtuosi found a pattern of divine
benevolence in the design of all things. Because they still saw humans as spiritual beings, as
exceptions to the mechanical pattern of the world, they often assumed that the purpose of the rest of
nature was human convenience as well as the glory of God to whom wisdom it witnessed.
3. The Mechanistic Universe of Newton.
Newton in his scientific research used a world-model which conceived the universe as a machine,
working mechanically. Newton then established a series of principles which govern the behavior of
objects, not only on the earth, but also in the celestial region. Newton’s great contribution to science
consisted in explaining a vast range of observational data with the help of a small set of universal
principles. Newton’s success in explaining terrestrial and celestial mechanics came as an affirmation
of the machine-model of the universe, the idea that the universe could be thought of as a great
machine, acting according to fixed laws. This is often referred to as a “mechanistic worldview,”
because it explains the operation of nature by assuming that it is a machine operating according to
fixed rules.
The mechanistic worldview meant that the universe is not “random”, but behaves in a regular manner
which is open to observation and explanation. This led to the widespread that the material world
behaved in ways which were predetermined, and which could, therefore, be predicted with
considerable accuracy. The mechanistic worldview, obviously, has far reaching religious implications.
The idea of the world as a machine immediately suggested to many the idea of design.
Although later writers tented to read atheism into the Newtonian worldview by suggesting that the
mechanism in question was totally self-contained and self-sustaining and therefore did not require the
existence of God, Newton himself was inclined to see the hand of God in designing the world and
setting its laws. Recent studies in Newton’s natural philosophy have stressed that Newton and his
followers found it appropriate to portray the laws of nature as dependent upon the continual exercise
of God’s will (Heimann 1973). Newton argued that the regularity and predictability of the world were
a direct consequence of its created origins. Perhaps the best articulation of Newton’s approach in this
regard is found in the writings of William paley (Gillespie 1990). His writings may be seen as a
popular exposition of the theological implications of an ordered Newtonian universe.
Newton’s mechanical world is believed to have a third positive effect. It is said to have encourage
within Christianity the rise of a significant religious movement called “deism.” Deism is usually
defined as a “view of God which maintains God’s creatorship, but denies a continuing divine
involvement with, or special presence within, the creation.” (McGrath 2000, 18).It is often contrasted
with “theism,” which allows continuing divine involvement within the world. Deism is regarded by
many as a form of Christianity which placed particular emphasis on the regularity of the world.
When critics derided deism as having reduced God to a mere clockmaker, the Newtonian worldview
offered the deists a highly sophisticated way of defending and developing their views, by allowing
them to focus on the wisdom of God in creating the world. Thus initially at least the Newtonian
mechanistic worldview seemed to support and strengthen religious views.
Thus the Newtonian worldview and its religious implications indicate that the relationship between
“natural theology” and the “natural sciences” has been remarkably ambivalent. In what constitutes
one of the most fascinating paradoxes of the religious thought of the eighteen century, the Newtonian
mechanical conception of the universe, which was initially interpreted as supportive of the Christian
understanding of God was, within a generation, seen as rendering such a concept unnecessarily. What
had once seemed to be a promising alliance between science and religion led to a growing and
potentially irreversible estrangement (Odom 1966).
Conclusion:
Newton’s mechanics and system was one of the moving force which enables the paradigm in science
and paradigm shifts. It not only changed the world of science but it gave hope in the midst of
problems within the church by giving an alternative that rationalism and science could change the
social order of the society when people were living in dilemma, doubting religion. The static and
centralized representation of the solar system reflects the society in such a way that we should be
content with our rulers and be strong in our faith. Moreover, Newtonian mechanics reveal the
superiority of the architect who is God and his wonderful design which Newton personally believed.
His work was used to create order and stability in the society, where this instability and tensions were
initially created by the church, giving the people options that there was a hope in science and at the
same time portraying the greatness of our God.
Bibliography:
D. Tectus Sunder Singh, Science and Religion- General Introduction pdf.
The Historical Development of the Philosophy of science pdf.
Introduction to Newtonian mechanics, (2020, Dec.30). Retrieved April 27, 2021, from https:// phys.
Libretexts.org/@go/page.
Philosophy and sociology of science pdf.