Where Does Aristotle Discuss Objects in Motion?

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The discussion centers on the interpretation of Aristotle's views regarding motion, specifically the idea that an object in motion will come to rest without an external force. Participants express frustration over the lack of specific sources for this commonly held belief attributed to Aristotle. It is suggested that this concept may be implied in his writings, particularly in "Physics," but no direct references are provided. The conversation also touches on the historical evolution of the theory of impetus, which was initially proposed to explain projectile motion and further developed by figures like Hipparchus, John Philoponus, Avicenna, and Jean Buridan. This evolution highlights how Aristotle's ideas have been simplified or misrepresented in modern discussions of physics. The mention of the theory of impetus serves as a starting point for further exploration into Aristotle's dynamics and its impact on later scientific thought.
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Oh the joys of the internet. I read everywhere that Aristotle felt that an object in motion would come to rest without any force acting on it yet no one wants to source anything. I can't find this in his writings myself though I do believe its there somewhere as it seems to be a commonly held conception about Aristotle's views. Is it something that is implied and I'm missing it or is there a specific place he talks about this? I assume it's in his Physics.

Specific references would be nice :) Thanks!
 
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runner108 said:
Oh the joys of the internet. I read everywhere that Aristotle felt that an object in motion would come to rest without any force acting on it yet no one wants to source anything. I can't find this in his writings myself though I do believe its there somewhere as it seems to be a commonly held conception about Aristotle's views. Is it something that is implied and I'm missing it or is there a specific place he talks about this? I assume it's in his Physics.

Specific references would be nice :) Thanks!

If you google on "impetus" that would find you stuff. But you also need to be aware that "what Aristotle said" has become extremely caricatured - he is fingered as the guy that got it wrong so that modern physics can be seen as the guy who now got it right.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_impetus

The theory of impetus was an auxiliary or secondary theory of Aristotelian dynamics, put forth initially to explain projectile motion against gravity. It was first introduced by Hipparchus in antiquity, and subsequently further developed by John Philoponus in the 6th century AD. A radically different version was later developed by Avicenna (11th century) and Jean Buridan (14th century), which became an ancestor to the concepts of inertia, momentum and acceleration in classical mechanics. In the article, the Hipparchan-Philoponan theory will be referred to as the H-P theory, while the Avicennan-Buridan theory will be referred to as the A-B theory.
 
Thanks a bunch, will look more into it now that I have a clue what I'm looking for.
 
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