Newton’s and Voltaire’s criticism on Descartes’ refusal of void

Abstract

The criticisms of Newton and Voltaire addressed to the denial of the void by Descartes share a basic structure: both seem to agree that such Cartesian view leads to undesirable implications both in the field of mechanics, as with respect to theology. However, although Newton admits the theological implications of the denial of the void, they are not the ultimate end of his criticism, which seems to occur in the criticism of Voltaire. Rather, the Newtonian arguments for assuming the void find in mechanics not only a proving ground; they are a major part of one of the pillars of Newtonianism: absolute space.