文摘
Reid was a Newtonian and a Theist, but did he found his Theism on Newtonx2019;s physics? In opposition to commonplace assumptions about the role of Theism in Reidx2019;s philosophy, my answer is no. Reid prefers to found his Theism on a priori reasons, rather than on physics. Reidx2019;s understanding of physics as an empirical science stops it from contributing in any clear and efficient way to issues of natural theology. In addition, Reid is highly sceptical of our ability to discover the efficient and final causes of natural phenomena, knowledge of which is essential for natural theology. To bring out Reidx2019;s differences with classical Newtonian Theists Richard Bentley and William Whiston, I examine their use of the law and force of general gravitation, and reconstruct what would be Reidian objections.