Theories and inter‐theory relations in Bošković

Abstract

During 1745–1755 Bošković explicitly used the concept of scientific theory in three cases: the theory of forces existing in nature, the theory of transformations of geometric loci, and the theory of infinitesimals. The theory first mentioned became the famous theory of natural philosophy in 1758, the second was published in the third volume of his mathematical textbook Elementorum Universae Matheseos (1754), and the third theory was never completed, though Bošković repeatedly announced it from 1741 on. The treatment of continuity and infinity in natural philosophy, geometry and infinitesimal analysis brought about inter‐theory relations in Bošković's work during his Roman period. The two constructed theories of Bošković, the theory of forces and the theory of geometric transformations, directly influenced the idea for the construction of his third theory. These written theories refer to understanding and effective application of continuity and infinity in natural philosophy and geometry, and this task, according to Bošković, requires methodological support from the theory of infinitesimals.