Outlines of cosmic philosophy, based on the doctrine of evolution, with criticisms on the positive philosophy, Volumen11874 |
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Términos y frases comunes
Absolute abstract admit aggregate animals antecedent anthropomorphic assert astronomy become biology body causation cause chapter chemical chemism chemistry classification complete Comte Comte's Comtean conceive conception concerning conclusion concrete sciences consciousness Cosmic Cosmic Philosophy Cosmism Descartes differentiation discovery distinct doctrine earth evolution existence experience external fact follow fundamental gravitation groups heat Hegel heterogeneity human Hume hypothesis illustration induction inference inquiry integration Kant less logical manifested mass ment metaphysical mind molar molar motion molecular motion molecular physics molecules moon nature nebular nebular hypothesis never nitrogen noumena objective observed orbit organic origin particles pheno physics planetary planets Plato Positive Philosophy Positivism possible present principle proposition regarded relations relativity of knowledge result rhythms rotation scientific scientific methods sequence solar nebula solar system Spencer subjective method surface synthesis terrestrial theorems theory things thought tion tissues truth universe Uranus velocity verified volition
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Página 224 - In their mental habits, in their methods of inquiry, and in the data at their command, " the men of the present day who have fully kept pace with the scientific movement are separated from the men whose education ended in 1830 by an immeasurably wider gulf than has ever before divided one progressive generation of men from their predecessors.
Página 9 - Absolute cannot, as such, be a cause. The cause, as such, exists only in relation to its effect ; the cause is a cause of the effect ; the effect is an effect of the cause. On the other hand, the conception of the Absolute implies a possible existence out of all relation. 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...
Página 90 - And this brings us to the true conclusion implied throughout the foregoing pages — the conclusion that it is one and the same Ultimate Reality which is manifested to us subjectively and objectively. For while the nature of that which is manifested under either form proves to be inscrutable, the order of its manifestations throughout all mental phenomena proves to be the same as the order of its manifestations throughout all material phenomena.
Página 84 - Not a step can be taken towards the truth that our states of consciousness are the only things we can know, without tacitly or avowedly postulating an unknown Something beyond consciousness. The proposition that whatever we feel has an existence which is relative to ourselves only cannot be proved, nay, cannot even be intelligibly expressed without asserting, directly or by implication, an external existence which is not relative to ourselves.
Página 14 - The very conception of consciousness, in whatever mode it may be manifested, necessarily implies distinction between one object and another. To be conscious, we must be conscious of something; and that something can only be known, as that which it is, by being distinguished from that which it is not.
Página 303 - For the further illustration and more abundant proof of the law that all motion is rhythmical, I must refer to Mr. Spencer's " First Principles," where the subject is discussed much more fully than is here practicable. But our last illustration, from the succession of forms of life upon the earth, suggests still another supremely important aspect in which the general principle must be viewed, before we leave it. As we saw in our initial illustration, from the movements of heavenly bodies, where a...
Página 235 - Although the scientific arrangements of organic nature afford as yet the only complete example of the true principles of rational classification, whether as to the formation of groups or of series, those principles are applicable to all cases in which mankind are called upon to bring the various parts of any extensive subject into mental codrdination. They are as much to the point when objects are to be classed for purposes of art or business, as for those of science.
Página 230 - But because the abstraction of heat causes the molecules of a body to approach each other, it is not safe to infer that, if all the heat were abstracted, the molecules would be in complete contact. This is a more or less plausible guess, not a true induction. "For since we neither know how much heat there is in any body, nor what is the real distance between any two of its particles, we cannot judge whether the contraction of the distance does or does not follow the diminution of the quantity of...
Página 235 - They are as much to the point when objects are to be classed for purposes of art or business, as for those of science. The proper arrangement, for example, of a code of laws, depends on the same scientific conditions as the classifications in natural history ; nor could there be a better preparatory discipline for that important function, than the study of the principles of a natural arrangement, not only in the abstract, but in their actual application to the class of phenomena for which they were...
Página 55 - Now mark another case, and contrast it with this. Not all the instances which have been observed since the beginning of the world in support of the general proposition that all crows are black would be deemed a sufficient presumption of the truth of the proposition, to outweigh the testimony of one unexceptionable witness who should affirm that in some region of the earth not fully explored he has caught and examined a crow, and had found it to be grey.