First Principles |
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Page 14
... inference that such notions are necessary products of progressing intelligence . Their endless variety serves but to strengthen this conclusion : showing as it does a more or less inde- pendent genesis - showing how , in different ...
... inference that such notions are necessary products of progressing intelligence . Their endless variety serves but to strengthen this conclusion : showing as it does a more or less inde- pendent genesis - showing how , in different ...
Page 28
... . We habitually mistake our symbolic con- ceptions for real ones ; and so are betrayed into countless false inferences . Not only is it that in proportion as the concept we form of any thing or class of things 28 ULTIMATE RELIGIOUS IDEAS .
... . We habitually mistake our symbolic con- ceptions for real ones ; and so are betrayed into countless false inferences . Not only is it that in proportion as the concept we form of any thing or class of things 28 ULTIMATE RELIGIOUS IDEAS .
Page 39
... inference concerning the First Cause is equally unavoidable . It must be independent . If it is dependent it cannot be the First Cause ; for that must be the First Cause on which it depends . It is not enough to say that it is partially ...
... inference concerning the First Cause is equally unavoidable . It must be independent . If it is dependent it cannot be the First Cause ; for that must be the First Cause on which it depends . It is not enough to say that it is partially ...
Page 40
... inferences forced upon us by arguments from which there appears no escape . It is hardly needful however to show those who have followed thus far , how illusive are these reasonings and their results . But that it would tax the reader's ...
... inferences forced upon us by arguments from which there appears no escape . It is hardly needful however to show those who have followed thus far , how illusive are these reasonings and their results . But that it would tax the reader's ...
Page 57
... inference of one who allows for the ship's motion , is anything like the truth . Nor indeed , on further consideration , shall we find this revised conclusion to be much better . For we have forgotten to allow for the Earth's motion in ...
... inference of one who allows for the ship's motion , is anything like the truth . Nor indeed , on further consideration , shall we find this revised conclusion to be much better . For we have forgotten to allow for the Earth's motion in ...
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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.