Greek Period and Middle Ages

Abstract

This chapter concerns the study of the motion of bodies in the Middle Ages. After a brief excursion in Greek thought, in particular Aristotle's physics, the various conceptions of natural and violent motions are presented in the period between XIII and XIV centuries. In particular I discuss the complex ideas of Roger Bacon, who tried to solve some difficulties of Aristotle's views. The most interesting arguments of the chapter, dealt with in the final part, concerns however the theory of impetus which intended to resolve the contradictions internal to the Aristotelian physics for which any motion should have its motor conjunctus, although in most cases this motor seemed to not exist. Of the impetus theory the different views of the terminist school of the faculty of arts in Paris are presented, in particular those of Jean Buridan, Albertus de Saxonia and Nicole Oresme.