The Realistic Assumptions of Modern Science ExaminedMacmillan and Company, 1879 - 460 pages |
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action admitted affirm antecedent appear apprehended arise ascribe assumed assumption belief body brain cause cerebrum character conceived conception conclusion concomitant consciousness consequent consist convictions corresponding deny distinction effects evidence existence external objects external world feelings functions Herbert Spencer hold human impossible inconsistent inference intelligence labellum LANCASHIRE INDEPENDENT COLLEGE laws material phenomena material universe material world materialistic hypothesis matter mechanical mental fact mind molecular Monism motion movements nature nerve nerve-changes nerve-waves nervous organism non-resembling Ontology operations perceive perception pheno physical causation physical changes physical continuity physical energy physical facts physical laws physical science physical sequents pollinia present Principles of Psychology produce Professor Helmholtz Professor Huxley purpose Realism reality reason recognize reductio ad absurdum regard relation respecting retina scientific sciousness seems seen sensations sense sensorium simply Spencer succession supposed supposition symbols theory things thought tion transcend phenomena truth waves words
Popular passages
Page 402 - For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God...
Page 21 - I feel bound to make before you is that I prolong the vision backward across the boundary of the experimental evidence, and discern in that matter, which we in our ignorance, and notwithstanding our professed reverence for its Creator, have hitherto covered with opprobrium, the promise and potency of every form and quality of life.
Page 100 - ... 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 269 - 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.
Page 238 - But there is nothing in a number of instances, different from every single instance, which is supposed to be exactly similar; except only, that after a repetition of similar instances, the mind is carried by habit, upon the appearance of one event, to expect its usual attendant, and to believe that it will exist.
Page 237 - All events seem entirely loose and separate. One event follows another ; but we never can observe any tie between them. They seem conjoined, but never connected.
Page 238 - ... is carried by habit, upon the appearance of one event, to expect its usual attendant, and to believe that it will exist. This connection, therefore, which we feel in the mind, this customary transition of the imagination from one object to its usual attendant, is the sentiment or impression from which we form the idea of power or necessary connection. Nothing farther is in the case.
Page 10 - We are conscious automata, endowed with free will in the only intelligible sense of that much-abused term — inasmuch as in many respects we are able to do as we like — but none the less parts of the great series of causes and effects which, in unbroken continuity, composes that which is, and has been, and shall be — the sum of existence.
Page 7 - ... the feeling we call volition is not the cause of a voluntary act, but the symbol of that state of the brain which is the immediate cause of that act.