A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy

by John Frederick William Herschel

THE

CABINET CYCLOPÆDIA.

"Homo, naturæ minister et interpres, tantum facit et intelligit quantum de naturæ ordine re vel mente observaverit: nec amplius scit aut potest."

Bacon, Novum Organum, Aphor. 1.

Man, as the minister and interpreter of nature, is limited in act and understanding by his observation of the order of nature: neither his knowledge nor his power extends farther.

THE

CABINET CYCLOPÆDIA.

conducted by the

REV. DIONYSIUS LARDNER, LL. D. F. R. S. L. & E.
M. R. I. A. F. R. S. Ast. F. L. S. F. Z. S. Hon. F. C. P. S. &c. &c.

assisted by
EMINENT LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN

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Natural Philosophy.

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A PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE

on

THE STUDY OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.

by

J. F. W. HERSCHEL, ESQ. M. A.
of St. John's College, Cambridge.

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LONDON:

printed for

LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, AND GREEN,

paternoster-row;

AND JOHN TAYLOR,

Upper Gower Street.

1831.

PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE

on the Study of

NATURAL PHILOSOPHY

JOHN FREDERICK WILLIAM HERSCHEL, ESQ. A. M.

Late Fellow of S^t John's College, Cambridge &c. &c. &c.

H. Corbould del.

E. Finden sculp.

NATURÆ MINISTER ET INTERPRES.

 

London:

PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN & GREEN: PATERNOSTER ROW;
AND JOHN TAYLOR, UPPER GOWER STREET
1830.

CONTENTS.

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PART I.

Of the general Nature and Advantages of the Study of the Physical Sciences.

CHAP. I.

Of Man regarded as a Creature of Instinct, of Reason, and Speculation.—General Influence of Scientific Pursuits on the Mind.Page 1

CHAP. II.

Of abstract Science as a Preparation for the Study of Physics.—A profound Acquaintance with it not indispensable for a clear Understanding of Physical Laws.—How a Conviction of their Truth may be obtained without it.—Instances.—Further Division of the Subject.18

CHAP. III.

Of the Nature and Objects, immediate and collateral, of Physical Science, as regarded in itself, and in its Application to the practical Purposes of Life, and its Influence on the Well-being and Progress of Society.35

PART II.

Of the Principles on which Physical Science relies for its successful Prosecution, and the Rules by which a systematic Examination of Nature should be conducted, with Illustrations of their Influence as exemplified in the History of its Progress.

CHAP. I.

Of Experience as the Source of our Knowledge.—Of the Dismissal of Prejudices.—Of the Evidence of our Senses.Page 75

CHAP. II.

Of the Analysis of Phenomena.85

CHAP. III.

Of the State of Physical Science in General, previous to the Age of Galileo and Bacon.104

CHAP. IV.

Of the Observation of Facts and the Collection of Instances.118

CHAP. V.

Of the Classification of Natural Objects and Phenomena, and of Nomenclature.135

CHAP. VI.

Of the First Stage of Induction.—The Discovery of Proximate Causes, and Laws of the lowest Degree of Generality, and their Verification.144

CHAP. VII.

Of the higher Degrees of Inductive Generalization, and of the Formation and Verification of Theories.190

PART III.

Of the Subdivision of Physics into distinct Branches, and their mutual Relations.

CHAP. I.

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

INDEX.

363

"In primis, hominis est propria veri inquisitio atque investigatio. Itaque cum sumus negotiis necessariis, curisque vacui, turn 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 naturæ 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 causâ justè et legitimè imperanti: ex quo animi magnitudo existit, et humanarum 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.