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Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy — John Shaqi

Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural PhilosophyHerschel, John F. W. (John Frederick William)

Philosophy

Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy

Name: Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy
Author: Herschel, John F. W. (John Frederick William)

Herschel, John F. W. (John Frederick William)

Astronomy -- History; Physics -- History; Science -- History; Science -- Philosophy

Of the Phenomena of Force, and of the Constitution of Natural
    Bodies.                                                          221


  CHAP. II.

  Of the Communication of Motion through Bodies.--Of Sound and
    Light.                                                           246


  CHAP. III.

  Of Cosmical Phenomena.                                             265


  CHAP. IV.

  Of the Examination of the material Constituents of the World.
                                                                     290


  CHAP. V.

  Of the Imponderable Forms of Matter.                               310


  CHAP. VI.

  Of the Causes of the actual rapid Advance of the Physical
    Sciences compared with their Progress at an earlier Period.      347




    “In primis, hominis est propria VERI inquisitio atque
    investigatio. Itaque cum sumus negotiis necessariis, curisque
    vacui, tum avemus aliquid videre, audire, ac dicere,
    cognitionemque rerum, aut occultarum aut admirabilium, ad benè
    beatéque vivendum necessariam ducimus;--ex quo intelligitur,
    quod VERUM, simplex, sincerumque sit, id esse naturæe hominis
    aptissimum. Huic veri videndi cupiditati adjuncta est appetitio
    quædam principatûs, ut nemini parere animus benè a naturâ
    informatus velit, nisi præcipienti, aut docenti, aut utilitatis
    causa justè et legitimè imperanti: ex quo animi magnitudo
    existit, et humanararum rerum contemtio.”

                                  CICERO, DE OFFICIIS, Lib. 1. § 13.


    Before all other things, man is distinguished by his pursuit
    and investigation of TRUTH. And hence, when free from needful
    business and cares, we delight to see, to hear, and to
    communicate, and consider a knowledge of many admirable and
    abstruse things necessary to the good conduct and happiness of
    our lives: whence it is clear that whatsoever is TRUE, simple,
    and direct, the same is most congenial to our nature as men.
    Closely allied with this earnest longing to see and know the
    truth, is a kind of dignified and princely sentiment which
    forbids a mind, naturally well constituted, to submit its
    faculties to any but those who announce it in precept or in
    doctrine, or to yield obedience to any orders but such as are
    at once just, lawful, and founded on utility. From this source
    spring greatness of mind and contempt of worldly advantages and
    troubles.




                         PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE
                                   ON
                               THE STUDY
                                   OF
                          NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.




                                PART I.

          OF THE GENERAL NATURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE STUDY OF
                         THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES




CHAPTER I.

  OF MAN REGARDED AS A CREATURE OF INSTINCT, OF REASON, AND
    SPECULATION.--GENERAL INFLUENCE OF SCIENTIFIC PURSUITS ON THE
    MIND.

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Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy

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