Newtonian Philosophy

Preserved but no longer current.

Meaning · English

The astronomical system that in the late 17th century displaced the Copermcan (see COPERNICANISM), together with the theory of universal gravitation. So called after Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727), who established the former and discovered the latter.

Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)

Sources & notes

Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.

Common questions

What does “Newtonian Philosophy” mean?

The astronomical system that in the late 17th century displaced the Copermcan (see COPERNICANISM), together with the theory of universal gravitation. So called after Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727), who established the former and discovered the latter.

Is “Newtonian Philosophy” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.