经典力学革命中的概念图式变化

Changes of the Conceptual Schema in the Revolution of Classical Mechanics

经典力学革命中起核心作用的是运动概念的变化。亚里士多德力学把运动理解成位移,这种运动概念与因果解释图式一起,限定了力学解释的基本特征。为了解决抛体问题而引入的冲力理论是一个过渡,伽利略在用冲力理论解释自由落体运动时改变了思考问题的方向,转向新的运动概念——运动就是瞬时运动。这个概念结合力学解释的因果图式预告了惯性定律。

What plays a central role in the revolution of classical mechanics is the changes regarding the concept of motion. Aristotelian mechanics understands motion as displacement and accordingly, with the help from the causal schema of explanation, delimits what a mechanical explanation can be. Impetus theory, which was introduced in order to resolve the problem of projectile, serves as a transitional theory. In trying to explain the motion of freefalling body, Galileo altered his direction of thinking and embraced a new concept of motion according to which motion is instantaneous motion. This heralds the law of inertia in the light of the causal schema of mechanical explanation.