First Principles |
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Page vi
... course , leave a serious gap in the general argument ; but the remainder of the work would stand exactly as it now does . I do not make this explanation in the belief that the prevailing misapprehension will thereby soon be rectified ...
... course , leave a serious gap in the general argument ; but the remainder of the work would stand exactly as it now does . I do not make this explanation in the belief that the prevailing misapprehension will thereby soon be rectified ...
Page viii
... in- volved , and prepare for further inquiries . This work is now published in quarterly numbers , of from 80 to 96 pages . Four of these parts have already appeared , and some idea of the course and character of the discussion may viii.
... in- volved , and prepare for further inquiries . This work is now published in quarterly numbers , of from 80 to 96 pages . Four of these parts have already appeared , and some idea of the course and character of the discussion may viii.
Page ix
Herbert Spencer. idea of the course and character of the discussion may be formed by observing the titles to the chapters , which are as follows : PART FIRST : I. Organic Matter ; II . The Actions of Forces on Organic Matter ; III . The ...
Herbert Spencer. idea of the course and character of the discussion may be formed by observing the titles to the chapters , which are as follows : PART FIRST : I. Organic Matter ; II . The Actions of Forces on Organic Matter ; III . The ...
Page xiv
... Summary and Conclusion ( Re- written ) . Of course throughout this re - organized Second Part the numbers of the sections have been changed and hence those who possess the Principles of Biology , in which xiv PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION .
... Summary and Conclusion ( Re- written ) . Of course throughout this re - organized Second Part the numbers of the sections have been changed and hence those who possess the Principles of Biology , in which xiv PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION .
Page xxii
... 1862 . * These dates and pagings of the divisions as originally issued , of course do not apply to the volume as it now stands , beyond page 123 . CONTENTS . PART I. — THE UNKNOWABLE . CHAP . xxii PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION .
... 1862 . * These dates and pagings of the divisions as originally issued , of course do not apply to the volume as it now stands , beyond page 123 . CONTENTS . PART I. — THE UNKNOWABLE . CHAP . xxii PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION .
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Common terms and phrases
absolute abstract action agencies aggregate arise assert become belief body carbonic acid cause centre centre of gravity changes chapter chemical chemical affinity co-existence complete conceive conception conclusion connexion consciousness constitute continue correlation definite differentiation direction Earth effects elements ence equally equilibration equilibrium Evolution existence external fact faint manifestations further gravitation heat Hence heterogeneous homogeneous hypothesis ideas illustrations implies incident forces increase inference infinite infinitely divisible integration kind knowledge laws of thought least resistance less limits mass matter ment mental modes modified molecular motion movements moving muscular nature nebular hypothesis ness object objective science organic persistence of force phenomena Philosophy physical position present principle Principles of Psychology produced quantity re-distribution reality relations relative Religion rhythm Science similarly Sir William Hamilton social Solar Solar System space things thought tion transformation truth ultimate units unlike velocity vivid manifestations
Popular passages
Page 584 - Evolution is an integration of matter and concomitant dissipation of motion ; during which the matter passes from an indefinite, incoherent homogeneity to a definite, coherent heterogeneity ; and during •which the retained motion undergoes a parallel transformation.
Page 126 - But nature makes that mean; so over that art, Which you say adds to nature, is an art That nature makes. You see, sweet maid, we marry A gentler scion to the wildest stock, And make conceive a bark of baser kind By bud of nobler race. This is an art Which does mend nature — change it rather; but The art itself is nature.
Page 94 - We are thus taught the salutary lesson, that the capacity of thought is not to be constituted into the measure of existence; and are warned from recognizing the domain of our knowledge as necessarily coextensive with the horizon of our faith. And by a wonderful revelation, we are thus, in the very consciousness of our inability to conceive aught above the relative and finite, inspired with a belief in the existence of something unconditioned beyond the sphere of all comprehensible reality.* 2.
Page 509 - The sun's rays are the ultimate source of almost every motion which takes place on the surface of the earth. By its heat are produced all winds, and those disturbances in the electric equilibrium of the atmosphere which give rise to the phenomena of lightning, and probably also to those of terrestrial magnetism and the aurora.
Page 584 - Evolution, then, under its primary aspect, is a change from a less coherent form to a more coherent form, consequent on the dissipation of motion and integration of matter.
Page 558 - Cosmos; we see at once that there are not several kinds of Evolution having certain traits in common, but one Evolution going on everywhere after the same manner.
Page 409 - In other words, the phenomena of Evolution have to be deduced from the Persistence of Force. As before said, ' to this an ultimate analysis brings us down, and on this a rational synthesis must build up.
Page 116 - By continually seeking to know and being continually thrown back with a deepened conviction of the impossibility of knowing, we may keep alive the consciousness that it is alike our highest wisdom and our highest duty to regard that through which all things exist as The Unknowable.
Page 41 - We attempt to escape from this apparent contradiction, by introducing the idea of succession in time. The absolute exists first by itself, and afterwards becomes a cause. But here we are checked by the third conception, that of the infinite. How can the infinite become that which it was not from the first 1 If causation is a possible mode of existence, that which exists without causing is not infinite ; that which becomes a cause has passed beyond its former limits.
Page 110 - Thus the consciousness of an Inscrutable Power manifested to us through all phenomena, has been growing ever clearer; and must eventually be freed from its imperfections. The certainty that on the one hand such a Power exists, while on the other hand its nature transcends intuition and is beyond imagination, is the certainty towards which intelligence has from the first been progressing.