ABSTRACT
This chapter explains that the context of Newton's physics a body is at absolute rest if it is stationary with respect to absolute space; and in absolute motion if is moving relative to absolute space. Newton deploys two basic arguments against relationism: argument from inertial effects: the notorious bucket argument; and the argument for real inertial motion. It is here that Newton's arguments in the Scholium come into play. Leibniz argued that in Newtonian physics uniform absolute velocity has no empirical consequences. Ernst Mach can offer only a sketch of a theory of comparable power. In the absence of a complete physical theory, the Machian approach cannot be judged successful. Sklar is solving the problem by introducing a primitive property; the possession of this property is the proposed explanation of inertial effects. However, if Descartes hold that all motion is relative to move is to have different distance relations to other bodies at different times there is no such difference.
