[December 2003 journal entry]
Newton (late 17th century) identified a pivotal (and, in my estimate, irreversible) shift occurring re interpreting events/experiences. In place of beginning with the premise or assuming that events/experiences reflect divine or supernatural will/intervention, Newton proposed that natural explanations of events/experiences be sought and, when satisfactory, preclude the need to look for divine or supernatural will/intervention to explain events/experiences. Natural or ‘from below’ explanations of events/experiences were few in Newton’s time. Since then the natural or ‘from below’ penetration of events/experiences has been so deep and broad that Newton’s observation has been widely amended – i.e., wait in confidence for a satisfying natural or ‘from below’ explanation of events/experiences when such explanation does not yet exist.
