What essay did Newton append to the 1713 second edition of the Principia?

Newton appended the General Scholium to the second edition of the Principia in 1713. The essay appears near the work’s conclusion and sets out Newton’s views on scientific method, natural philosophy, and theology.

The General Scholium was partly a response to criticism of the first edition, published in 1687. Newton defended universal gravitation while declining to speculate about the unknown physical cause of gravity. He also attacked Cartesian vortex theory and emphasized drawing general principles from observed phenomena.

The essay is often remembered for the phrase “Hypotheses non fingo,” usually translated as “I frame no hypotheses.” It should not be confused with the separate scholium at the end of Book 2, which discusses experiments involving pendulums and fluid resistance.

Newton revised the essay for the third edition of the Principia in 1726, adding and modifying passages. The 1713 appearance is therefore the key date for identifying the original appended essay.