This book argues that Descartes' physics was a milestone on the road to modern mathematical
physics. After Newton introduced a completely different approach to mathematical description of
motion Descartes' physics became obsolete and even difficult to comprehend. This text follows
the language of Descartes and the means of which motion can be described. It argues that
Descartes achieved almost everything that later Newton was able to do-to describe the motion of
interacting bodies- by different (i.e. algebraic) means. This volume completely refutes the
received view according to which Descartes' physics was merely a kind of discursive natural
philosophy. To make this interpretation more plausible the book follows Descartes' ideas from
his early work in mathematics through his invention of the analytic method towards his mature
physics. It shows that Descartes followed a similar heuristic pattern. The volume appeals to
students and researchers it invites the reader equippedwith minimal understanding of college
mathematics to follow Descartes on his intellectual journey through the Scientific Revolution.
The reader will gain a deeper understanding of the role of mathematical language in the
creation of modern physics and a glimpse into the fascinating world of Descartes' scientific
thought. Several of Descartes' philosophical ideas can be traced back to his scientific
interests and thus the book elucidates the motivation behind some of Descartes' key positions
in the area of epistemology and method. In the penultimate chapter the book presents four
arguments in favor of seeing Descartes as a physicist on par with Galileo and Newton.
