Decoding Robert Greene's Critique of Newton's Natural Philosophy through His Analysis of Locke's Epistemology

This article explores Robert Greene's (c.1678–1730) overlooked critique of corpuscular philosophy, with a particular emphasis on his engagement with Isaac Newton's (1642–1727) natural philosophy. We begin by examining the institutional context of Greene's criticism at Clare Hall, University of Cambridge, a stronghold of Newton's natural philosophy. Following this, we examine the theological and natural philosophical arguments that Greene employed to challenge Newton's framework. Furthermore, we argue that Greene's critique of Newton cannot be fully appreciated without considering his criticism of John Locke's (1632–1704) epistemology. By shedding light on this early critic of Newton, we aim to offer a more nuanced perspective of Newton's impact on early eighteenth-century Cambridge.