Question

Newton’s first two of four Laws of Reasoning are: Rule 1: We are to admit no more causes of natural things than such as are both true and sufficient to explain their appearances. To this purpose the philosophers say that Nature does nothing in vain, and more is in vain when less will serve; for Nature is pleased with simplicity and affects not the pomp of superfluous causes.

Rule 2: Therefore, to the same natural effects we must, as far as possible, assign the same causes. As to respiration in a man and in a beast; the descent of stones in Europe and in America; the light of our culinary fire and of the sun; the reflection of light in the earth and in the planets.

Provide an example from the physic book or class of physics principles that reflect each of these two Laws of Reasoning.

Answer 1

Newton's first rule is now commonly called the principle of parsimony, and states that the simplest explanation is generally the most likely.You can take any example. Stuffs fall from high level to low level because there is gravity acting downwards towards the center of earth.No further explanation required.

The second rule essentially means that special interpretations of data should not be used if a reasonable explanation already exists. We all know how stones were formed whether the stone is in Europe or in America.