The Realistic Assumptions of Modern Science ExaminedMacmillan, 1886 - 460 pages |
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action admitted affirm antecedent appear apprehended arise ascribe assumed assumption body brain cause cerebrum character conceived conception conclusion concomitant consciousness consequent consist convictions corresponding difficulty distinct effects evidence existence external objects external world force function Herbert Spencer human impossible inconsistent inference intelligence labellum laws material phenomena material universe material world materialistic hypothesis mechanical mental fact mind molecular changes Monism movements nature nerve nerve-changes nerve-movements nerve-waves nervous organism ness neurosis Ontology operations perceive perception pheno physical causation physical changes physical continuity physical energy physical facts physical science physical sequents pollinia Pre-established Harmony present Principles of Psychology processes produce Professor Helmholtz Professor Huxley quasi-mental Realism reality reason recognize reductio ad absurdum regard relation respecting retina rupture of physical scientific sciousness seems seen sensations sense sensorium simply Spencer succession suppose supposition symbols take place things thought tion transcend phenomena waves words
Popular passages
Page 440 - 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 259 - Mind as a series of feelings, we are obliged to complete the statement by calling it a series of feelings which is aware of itself as past and future ; and we are reduced to the alternative of believing that the Mind, or Ego, is something different from any series of feelings, or possibilities of them, or of accepting the paradox, that something which ex hypothesi is but a series of feelings, can be aware of itself as a series.
Page 59 - 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 308 - 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 277 - 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 139 - ... 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 276 - 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 26 - Were our minds and senses so expanded, strengthened, and illuminated as to enable us to see and feel the very molecules of the brain; were we capable of following all their motions, all their groupings, all their electric discharges, if such there be; and were we intimately acquainted with the corresponding states of thought and feeling, we should be as far as ever from the solution of the problem, " How are these physical processes connected with the facts of consciousness ? " The chasm between...
Page 277 - ... 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 45 - It is quite true that, to the best of my judgment, the argumentation which applies to brutes holds equally good of men ; and therefore that all states of consciousness in us, as in them, are immediately caused by molecular changes of the brain substance.