The Domain of Natural Science: The Gifford Lectures Delivered in the University of Aberdeen in 1921 and 1922The University Press, 1923 - 510 pages |
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abstract accordance actual animal appear applicable Aristotle assumption atomic weight atoms biophors blastomere body cell theory cells centrosome character chemical chemical potential complete conception conceptual scheme connection consists correlation Darwin definite dependent Descartes described determined domain Dynamics earth effect electric elements embryo employed energy ether Euclidean Euclidean Geometry evolution existence experience fact force frame of reference functions fundamental gemmules Geometry germ-plasm gravitation heat hypothesis idea importance independent individual investigations involves kind knowledge Lamarck lectures living organism magnetic manifold mass matter means measurements mechanical ment metric mind mode motion Natural Science natural selection nebulae Newtonian objects observed origin ovum pangenesis particles particular percepts phenomena philosophical physical space plants postulations present principle processes psychical psychical side purely purpose question radio-active regarded relation represent result rotation scientific theory sense sequence solar system spatial species stars substance Theism theory of relativity tion velocity Weismann whole
Popular passages
Page 152 - It is inconceivable, that inanimate brute matter should, without the mediation of something else, which is not material, operate upon, and affect other matter without mutual contact; as it must do, if gravitation, in the sense of Epicurus, be essential and inherent in it.
Page 152 - That gravity should be innate, inherent, and essential to matter, so that one body may act upon another at a distance through a vacuum, without the mediation of anything else, by and through which their action and force may be conveyed from one to another, is to me so great an. absurdity, that I believe no man who has in philosophical! matters a competent faculty of thinking, can ever fall into it.
Page 205 - ABTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
Page 71 - When we look about us towards external objects, and consider the operation of causes, we are never able, in a single instance, to discover any power or necessary connexion ; any quality, which binds the effect to the cause, and renders the one an infallible consequence of the other. We only find, that the one does actually, in fact, follow the other.
Page 233 - It is impossible by means of inanimate material agency to derive mechanical effect from any portion of matter by cooling it below the temperature of the coldest of the surrounding objects.
Page 491 - ... who desires, and pays some regard to, the happiness of his creatures, but who seems to have other motives of action which he cares more for, and who can hardly be supposed to have created the universe for that purpose alone.
Page 491 - In sober truth, nearly all the things which men are hanged or imprisoned for doing to one another are Nature's everyday performances.
Page 436 - The expression of conditions of existence, so often insisted on by the illustrious Cuvier, is fully embraced by the principle of natural selection. For natural selection acts by either now adapting the varying parts of each being to its organic and inorganic conditions of life ; or by having adapted them during...
Page 436 - It is generally acknowledged that all organic beings have been formed on two great laws — Unity of Type, and the Conditions of Existence. By unity of type is meant that fundamental agreement in structure which we see in organic beings of the same class, and which is quite independent of their habits of life.
Page 70 - We learn from anatomy, that the immediate object of power in voluntary motion, is not the member itself which is moved, but certain muscles, and nerves, and animal spirits, and, perhaps, something still more minute and more unknown...