First Principles |
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Page 18
... ence has given to many of their cherished convictions , and a suspicion that it may perhaps eventually uproot all they regard as sacred ; and hence it produces in them a certain inarticulate dread . What is Science ? To see the ...
... ence has given to many of their cherished convictions , and a suspicion that it may perhaps eventually uproot all they regard as sacred ; and hence it produces in them a certain inarticulate dread . What is Science ? To see the ...
Page 20
... ence throughout the world subject each other's results to the most searching examination ; and that error is mercilessly exposed and rejected as soon as discovered . And , finally , they know that still more conclusive testimony is to ...
... ence throughout the world subject each other's results to the most searching examination ; and that error is mercilessly exposed and rejected as soon as discovered . And , finally , they know that still more conclusive testimony is to ...
Page 24
... ence diverge , as from their common root . Assuming then , that since these two great realities are constituents of the same mind , and respond to different as- pects of the same Universe , there must be a fundamental harmony between ...
... ence diverge , as from their common root . Assuming then , that since these two great realities are constituents of the same mind , and respond to different as- pects of the same Universe , there must be a fundamental harmony between ...
Page 30
... ence with observation , we acquire a confirmed habit of deal- ing with them as true conceptions - as real representations of actualities . Learning by long experience that they can , if needful , be verified , we are led habitually to ...
... ence with observation , we acquire a confirmed habit of deal- ing with them as true conceptions - as real representations of actualities . Learning by long experience that they can , if needful , be verified , we are led habitually to ...
Page 32
... ence independent of any other - not produced by any other : the assertion of self - existence is simply an indirect denial of creation . In thus excluding the idea of any antecedent cause , we necessarily exclude the idea of a beginning ...
... ence independent of any other - not produced by any other : the assertion of self - existence is simply an indirect denial of creation . In thus excluding the idea of any antecedent cause , we necessarily exclude the idea of a beginning ...
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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.