Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative; Vol. 2 of 3: Library Edition (1891), Containing Seven Essays not before Republished, and Various other Additions.Spencer, Herbert
Philosophy
Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative; Vol. 2 of 3: Library Edition (1891), Containing Seven Essays not before Republished, and Various other Additions.
Spencer, Herbert
Philosophy; Political science; Science
Concrete Sciences, a relation like that which the Universal Law of
Relation bears to Mathematics, and like that which Universal Mechanics
(composition and resolution of forces) bears to Physics. We have a
division of Concrete Science which generalizes those concomitants
of this re-distribution that hold good among all orders of concrete
objects—a division which explains why, along with a {92} predominating
integration of matter and dissipation of motion, there goes a change
from an indefinite, incoherent homogeneity, to a definite, coherent
heterogeneity; and why a reverse re-distribution of matter and motion,
is accompanied by a reverse structural change. Passing from this
universal Concrete Science, to the non-universal Concrete Sciences; we
find that these are primarily divisible into the science which deals
with the re-distributions of matter and motion among masses in space,
consequent on their mutual actions as wholes; and the science which
deals with the re-distributions of matter and motion consequent on the
mutual actions of the parts of each mass. And of these equally general
Sciences, this last is re-divisible into the Science which is limited
to the concomitants of re-distribution among the parts of each mass
when regarded as independent, and the Science which takes into account
the molecular motion received by radiation from other masses. But these
sub-divisions, and their sub-sub-divisions, will be best seen in the
annexed Table III.
* * * * *
TABLE III.
CONCRETE SCIENCE.
Universal laws of the continuous re-distribution of Matter and
Motion; which results in Evolution where there is a predominant
integration of Matter and dissipation of Motion, and which results
in Dissolution where there is a predominant absorption of Motion and
disintegration of Matter.
Laws of the redistributions of Matter and Motion actually going on
among the celestial bodies in their relations to one another as
masses: comprehending (ASTRONOMY)
the dynamics of our solar system. (_Planetary Astronomy._)
the dynamics of our stellar universe. (_Sidereal Astronomy._)
among the molecules of any celestial mass; as caused by
the actions of these molecules on one another
(ASTROGENY)
resulting in the formation of compound molecules. (_Solar_
_Mineralogy._)
resulting in molecular motions and genesis of radiant
forces.[9]
resulting in movements of gases and liquids. (_Solar_
_Meteorology._[10])
the actions of these molecules on one another, joined with the
actions on them of forces radiated by the molecules of other
masses: (GEOGENY)
as exhibited in the planets generally.
as exhibited in the Earth
causing composition and of decomposition of inorganic
matters. (_Mineralogy._)
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