The nature of the physical worldEddington, Arthur Stanley, Sir
Philosophy
The nature of the physical world
Eddington, Arthur Stanley, Sir
Physics -- Philosophy; Science -- Philosophy
that revealed to me in this particular case, I do not suppose that it
always has the more specialised attributes of consciousness.[42] But
[Pg 260]
in regard to my one piece of insight into the background no problem of
irreconcilability arises; I have no other knowledge of the background
with which to reconcile it.
In science we study the linkage of pointer readings with pointer
readings. The terms link together in endless cycle with the same
inscrutable nature running through the whole. There is nothing to
prevent the assemblage of atoms constituting a brain from being of
itself a thinking object in virtue of that nature which physics leaves
undetermined and undeterminable. If we must embed our schedule
of indicator readings in some kind of background, at least let us
accept the only hint we have received as to the significance of the
background—namely that it has a nature capable of manifesting itself
as mental activity.
Cyclic Method of Physics. I must explain this reference to an
endless cycle of physical terms. I will refer again to Einstein’s law
of gravitation. I have already expounded it to you more than once and
I hope you gained some idea of it from the explanation. This time I
am going to expound it in a way so complete that there is not much
likelihood that anyone will understand it. Never mind. We are not now
seeking further light on the cause of gravitation; we are interested
in seeing what would really be involved in a complete explanation of
[Pg 261]
anything physical.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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