inertia and mathematized view of nature

It just occurred to me that the inertia objection to the first way is especially intuitive if one has a mathematized view of nature. For in such a case "efficient cause" means (if anything) the antecedent event. And the antecedent event most certainly predicts the consequent (unless something interferes). So yes, if that's all you mean by cause and explanation, then if you look on a time/distance x/y Cartesian coordinates that maps out constant motion, then by looking at time x you already have what you are looking for to explain the continued movement at time x+1.

The question really is, however, whether a mathematized view of nature is an adequate explanation of nature.

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P F Strawson's Freedom and Resentment: the argument laid out

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