Is Nature Conformable to Herself?

Abstract

Nature, Newton repeatedly stressed, "is very conformable to herself". By this Newton seemed to mean that the attractive forces which govern the heavens also control all other natural phenomena, including chemical and physiological processes. What were the sources of Newton's claim? How was it expressed? What evidence did Newton offer in support? How influential was the hypothesis? Sources considered include the mechanical philosophy and Newton's alchemical interests. It is concluded that while a number of traditional objections have been repeatedly raised against the hypothesis, it has nevertheless survived, albeit in a form which owes as much to Galileo as to Newton.