Constructive and principle approaches in d’Alembert’s Treatise

Abstract

Abstract D’Alembert was the first to attempt a general treatment of constrained-motion mechanics, and his book exemplifies the enormous difficulties involved in the problem of constrained motion. Moreover, the authors argue, D’Alembert’s Treatise on Dynamics is pivotal for the development of philosophical mechanics after 1740. In Chapter 9, the authors introduce the analytic tools of constructive and principle approaches to theories, and of ontic and nomic unity. They argue that taking a principle approach to d’Alembert’s theory is philosophically fruitful, and that the quest for nomic unity in theorizing may be accompanied by a loss of ontic unity. They end by reviewing the consequences for philosophical mechanics.