Naturalism and Agnosticism: The Gifford Lectures Delivered Before the University of Aberdeen in the Years 1896-1898, Volume 1Macmillan, 1899 |
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absolute abstract dynamics actual Agnosticism assume atoms bodies cause chemical chemical elements complete conception concrete conservation of energy course Darwin definite Descartes dissipation doctrine dualism elements Encyclopædia Britannica ether evolution existence experience fact finite fluid Herbert Spencer heterogeneous homogeneous Huxley hypothesis hypothetical ideal of matter imagine imply impossible indefinite inertia instances intelligence kinematics kinetic kinetic ideal knowledge Lamarck Lamarckian Laplace lecture logical Lord Kelvin luminiferous ether mass mathematical Maxwell means mechanical theory ment method mind molecular physics molecules motion natural selection nebular hypothesis nescience Newton object organic particles perfect persistence of force phenomena philosophy physicists possible present principle processes Professor Properties of Matter pure qualitative quantity question quote reality referred regarded relations relative scientific seems sense sensible shew space Spencer strictly substance supposed Tait teleological factors things tion transformation universe whole words
Popular passages
Page 18 - If we take in our hand any volume; of divinity or school metaphysics, for instance; let us ask: Does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning quantity or number? No. Does it contain any experimental reasoning concerning matter of fact or existence? No. Commit it then to the flames; for it can contain nothing but sophistry and illusion.
Page 17 - ... any one who is acquainted with the history of science will admit, that its progress has, in all ages, meant, and now, more than ever, means, the extension of the province of what we call matter and causation, and the concomitant gradual banishment from all regions of human thought of what we call spirit and spontaneity.
Page 273 - There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved.
Page 99 - None of the processes of Nature, since the time when Nature began, have produced the slightest difference in the properties of any molecule. We are therefore unable to ascribe either the existence of the molecules or the identity of their properties to the operation of any of the causes which we call natural.
Page 32 - The world embraces not only a Newton, but a Shakespeare — not only a Boyle, but a Raphael — not only a Kant, but a Beethoven — not only a Darwin, but a Carlyle. Not in each of these, but in all, is human nature whole. They are not opposed but supplementary — not mutually exclusive, but reconcilable.
Page 44 - Skill of a powerful ever-living Agent, who being in all Places, is more able by his Will to move the Bodies within his boundless uniform Sensorium, and thereby to form and reform the Parts of the Universe, than we are by our Will to move the Parts of our own Bodies.
Page 99 - Natural causes, as we know, are at work, which tend to modify, if they do not at length destroy, all the arrangements and dimensions of the earth and the whole solar system. But though in the course of ages catastrophes have occurred and may yet occur in the heavens, though ancient systems may be dissolved and new systems evolved out of their ruins, the molecules out of which these systems are built — the foundation stones of the material universe — remain unbroken and unworn.
Page 213 - 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 7 - ... man is descended from some less highly organized form. The grounds upon which this conclusion rests will never be shaken, for the close similarity between man and the lower animals in embryonic development, as well as in innumerable points of structure and constitution, both of high and of the most trifling importance — the rudiments which he retains, and the abnormal reversions to which he is occasionally liable — are facts which cannot be disputed.
Page 19 - In itself, it is of little moment whether we express the phenomena of matter in terms of spirit, or the phenomena of spirit in terms of matter ; matter may be regarded as a form of thought, thought may be regarded as a property of matter, — each statement has a certain relative truth. But with a view to the progress of science, the materialistic terminology is in every way to be preferred...