The Mechanical Philosophy

The Mechanical Philosophy is a way of understanding the natural world that emerged in the 17th century, emphasizing that everything in the universe operates like a machine. It suggests that natural phenomena can be explained by physical laws and the movement of matter, rather than relying on mystical or spiritual explanations. Think of the universe as a vast clockwork mechanism, where each part functions according to predictable rules. Key figures like René Descartes and Isaac Newton contributed to this idea, laying the groundwork for modern science by focusing on observation and experimentation to explain how things work.