Newton’s co-discovery of calculus and his groundbreaking work in physics, detailed in Principia Mathematica and Opticks, revolutionised the study of nature. Newton challenged Cartesian vortex theory with universal gravitation, argued for absolute space and time against Leibniz’s relational view, established mathematical laws of motion that grounded Hume’s later causation debates, and pioneered the experimental method combining mathematics with empirical observation.
Newton’s rejection of purely hypothetical reasoning and his emphasis on mathematical and experimental methods set a new standard for scientific inquiry. His concept of absolute space, his theory of universal gravitation, and his views on divine action in nature sparked significant debates, particularly with Leibniz, shaping philosophical discourse for centuries.