The organisation of thought, educational and scientific · Alfred North Whitehead
Q = R = 0.
In the first place, we use the Newtonian dynamical sets of axes, and the Newtonian clock to extricate ourselves partially from the difficulties of rest, motion, and time. These have proved capable of scientific determination within the limits of our experimental accuracy. Thus the only thing left over is the choice of the axes at rest, which is a completely indeterminate problem on Newtonian principles. Again, so far as we can at present guess by adopting the theory that all metrical influence is electromagnetic, all influences are propagated with the velocity of light _in vacuo_. This electromagnetic hypothesis is by no means established, but it gives the simplest of all possible results in respect to the propagation of influence, which we therefore adopt. But what dynamical axes are we taking as at rest? Now our practical choice gives a range of relative velocities small compared to that of light. So except for certain refined experiments it does not matter. There are two possibilities-- (i) We may assume that one set of axes are at rest, and that the others will show traces of motion in respect to the velocity of light; or-- (ii) That the velocity of light is the same in all directions whichever be the dynamical axes assumed. The first supposition is negatived by experiment, and hence we are driven to the second supposition; which immediately lands us in the whole theory of relativity.
But if we will not have this theory we must reject the earlier supposition that the velocity of light _in vacuo_ is the same in all directions. This we do, in fact, by assuming an ether, and assuming a certain law for its modification. Then we, in fact, adopt the first supposition so far as to hold that there are dynamical axes specially at rest, namely, at rest relatively to the undisturbed ether. Then an assumed law for the modification of the ether so alters the velocity of light that we explain why no dynamical axes show traces of motion. I wish now to go back to the point which I made a few minutes ago, that what we perceive at any instant is ancient history with its dates hopelessly mixed. In the earlier part of my comments I emphasised the point that our only data as to the physical world are our sensible perceptions. We must not slip into the fallacy of assuming that we are comparing a given world with given perceptions of it. The physical world is in some general sense of the term a deduced concept. Our problem is, in fact, to fit the world to our perceptions, and not our perceptions to the world. PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY RICHARD CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, BRUNSWICK ST., STAMFORD ST., S.E., AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.
From WILLIAMS & NORGATE'S LIST =A SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE.= By the Rev. R. J. CAMPBELL. (The Rev. R. J. Campbell's own Story of his Religious Life.) 2nd Impression. Demy 8vo. =7s. 6d.= net. "This is eminently a book for which to be thankful--simple, straightforward, kindly. Neither does it lack the saving grace of humour."--_Guardian._ "Mr. Campbell devotes a chapter to his re-ordination, and it must be admitted that his defence of this act is effective."--_Methodist Times._ =EDINBURGH.= By the Right Hon. Sir HERBERT MAXWELL, Bart., D.C.L., Author of "Life of the Duke of Wellington," "Scottish Gardens," etc. President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 1910-13, and Chairman of the Royal Commission on Scottish Historical Monuments. With a Coloured Frontispiece and 64 pages of Illustrations of the past and present city. Medium 8vo. =10s. 6d.= net. A History of the Scottish Capital from the earliest times to the nineteenth century. =FURTHER PAGES OF MY LIFE.= By the Right Rev. W. BOYD CARPENTER, K.C.V.O., D.D., D.C.L., Formerly Bishop of Ripon, Author of "Some Pages of My Life," "The Witness of Religious Experience," etc. With Illustrations. Medium 8vo. =10s. 6d.= net. Reflections mingled with intimate reminiscences and recollections of Royal personages and of men eminent in many spheres. =SOME PAGES OF MY LIFE.= By the Right Rev. W. BOYD CARPENTER. New and Cheaper Edition. Large post 8vo. =5s.= net.
All who have listened to his eloquent preaching will read with delight his musing on what life has brought the author. =RAPHAEL MELDOLA=, Hon. D.Sc. (Oxon.), Hon. LL.D. (St. And.), F.R.S., Professor of Chemistry in the City and Guilds of London Technical College. Reminiscences of his worth and work, by those who knew him, together with a Chronological List of his Publications (1868-1915). Edited by JAMES MARCHANT. With a Preface by the Right Hon. LORD MOULTON, K.C.B., F.R.S. With a Portrait. Crown 8vo. =5s.= net. "The book is one of the most delightful biographies of scientific men that have been published during recent years."--_Chemist and Druggist._ =THE MANUFACTURE OF HISTORICAL MATERIAL.= An Elementary Study in the Sources of Story. By J. W. JEUDWINE, LL.B. (Camb.), of Lincoln's Inn, Barrister-at-Law, Author of "The First Twelve Centuries of British Story," and other works. Crown 8vo. =6s.= net. A consideration of the successive phases of Historical Research; it explains necessary processes through which all the material has to pass before it is placed before us as history.
Ideas discussed in this chapter
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.