Sullo sfondo dei Dialoghi di David Hume: scienza newtoniana e design argument

The debate on Newtonianism is one of the key points of Hume's Dialogue concerning natural religion. This paper analyses the apologetic ideology introduced by Newton to the Royal Society during his presidency (1703-1727). It was intended to prove how Newton's scientific theories could provide, through the design argument, a solid foundation to the power of God's. Without doubt this is the background to the polemics between Cleanthes and Philo. The paper suggests, however, that in the criticism of the Holy Alliance between science and religion, the Dialogues could also be reflected in the different orientation which the Royal Society took from 1741, when its new president attempted to separate scientific and religious matters.