Communication of Motion
Physical science is concerned only with mechanics. Therefore, it can be said that, in a collision, action and reaction are always opposite and equal. Such actions and forces, though, are only mathematical hypotheses. We only really know that the striking body loses motion and the struck body gains motion. We do not know if the motion is communicated from one body to another or if the motion is destroyed in the striker and is created in the struck. In the true nature of things, all bodies are passive. The truly active cause of motion is metaphysical and not the concern of physical science.
Read more about this topic: De Motu (Berkeley's Essay)
Famous quotes containing the word motion:
“till disproportiond sin
Jarrd against natures chime, and with harsh din
Broke the fair musick that all creatures made
To their great Lord, whose love their motion swayd
In perfect Diapason, whilst they stood
In first obedience, and their state of good.”
—John Milton (16081674)