The Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences: Volume 1: Founded upon their History (Cambridge Library Collection - Philosophy)
(First published in 1840, this two-volume treatise by Camb...)
First published in 1840, this two-volume treatise by Cambridge polymath William Whewell (1794-1886) remains significant in the philosophy of science. The work was intended as the 'moral' to his three-volume History of the Inductive Sciences (1837), which is also reissued in this series. Building on philosophical foundations laid by Immanuel Kant and Francis Bacon, Whewell opens with the aphorism 'Man is the Interpreter of Nature, Science the right interpretation'. Volume 1 contains the majority of Whewell's section on 'ideas', in which he investigates the philosophy underlying a range of different disciplines, including pure, classificatory and mechanical sciences. Whewell's work upholds throughout his belief that the mind was active and not merely a passive receiver of knowledge from the world. A key text in Victorian epistemological debates, notably challenged by John Stuart Mill and his System of Logic, Whewell's treatise merits continued study and discussion in the present day.
The First Principles of Mechanics: With Historical and Practical Illustrations (Classic Reprint)
(Excerpt from The First Principles of Mechanics: With Hist...)
Excerpt from The First Principles of Mechanics: With Historical and Practical Illustrations
J ordanus's proof confessedly assumes that it requires the same force to raise a body up any vertical height as to raise a body smaller in any proportion up a vertical height greater in the same proportion, the bodies being supported an inclined planes. Such a proposition, if asserted in 1300, or even in 1564, must have been, I conceive, a mere guess; since it was not obviously connected with any self-evident principle or known truth. It was probably one of many conjectures, and till better reason was shewn, had no claim to attention, above the solution of the problem of the inclined plane recorded by Pappus. To speak of the principle of virtual velocities as assumed in this solution, is attributing to the author a detection of analogies of which it is highly unlikely that he had any ap prehension; and a generalisation which was not thought of till long afterwards.
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This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
The Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences: Founded Upon Their History, Vol. 1 of 2 (Classic Reprint)
(To you I may most justly inscribe a work which contains a...)
To you I may most justly inscribe a work which contains a criticism of the fallacies of the ultra-L ockian school. I will mention one other reason which enters into the satisfaction with which I place your name at the head of my Philosophy. By doing so, I may consider myself as dedicating it to the College to which we both belong, to which we both owe so much of all that we are, and in which we have lived together so long andso happily; and that, be it remembered, the College of Bacon and of Newton. That College, I know, holds a strong place in your affections, as in mine; and among many reasons, not least on this account; we believe that sound and enduring philosophy ever finds there a congenial soil and a fostering shelter. If the doctrines which the present work contains be really true and valuable, my unhesitating trust is, that they will spread gradually from these precincts to every part of the land. That this office of being the fosterer and diffuser of truth may ever belong to our common Nursing Mother, and that you, my dear Sdgvvick, may long witness and contribute to these beneficial influences, is the hearty wish of Yours affectionately, W. WHEWELL. Trinity College, May 1, 1840.
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)
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Analytical Statics: A Supplement to the Fourth Edition of an Elementary Treatise Mechanics (Classic Reprint)
(Excerpt from Analytical Statics: A Supplement to the Four...)
Excerpt from Analytical Statics: A Supplement to the Fourth Edition of an Elementary Treatise Mechanics
I have omitted the investigations concerning the Forms of Bridges on various hypotheses, and the discussion of the Species of the Elastic Curve, which made part of the former Editions. These portions of the work are not suited to the Mathematical Student as parts of a Course of Mecha nics, and occupied too much space for mere examples.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
Architectural Notes on German Churches: With Notes Written During an Architectural Tour in .
(This book, "Architectural Notes on German Churches: With ...)
This book, "Architectural Notes on German Churches: With Notes Written During an Architectural Tour in .", by William Whewell, is a replication of a book originally published before 1842. It has been restored by human beings, page by page, so that you may enjoy it in a form as close to the original as possible. This book was created using print-on-demand technology. Thank you for supporting classic literature.
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This volume includes Whewell's seminal studies of the l...)
This volume includes Whewell's seminal studies of the logic of induction (with his critique of Mills theory), arguments for his realist view that science discovers necessary truths about nature, and exercises in the epistemology and ontology of science. The book sets forth a coherent statement of a historically important philosophy of science whose influence has never been greater: every one of Whewell's fundamental ideas about the philosophy of science is presented here.
The Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences: Founded Upon Their History, Vol. 2 of 2 (Classic Reprint)
(Pack Sect. II. Use of Hypotheses. A rt. 6. Discoveries ma...)
Pack Sect. II. Use of Hypotheses. A rt. 6. Discoveries made by Guesses. 7- Which must be compared with Facts. 8. Hypotheses are suspected. 9. Hypotheses may be useful though inaccurate. Sect. III. Test of Hypotheses. 10. True Hypotheses foretel Phenomena, 11. Even of different kinds. Consilience of I nductions. 12. True Theories tend to Simplicity. 13. Connexion of the last Tests. Chap. VI. Op the Logic op Induction 7A rt.l. Steps of Generalization. 2. May be expressed by Tables, 3. Which exhibit Inductive Steps; 4. And the Consilience of I nductions; 5. And the tendency to Simplicity; 6. And the names of Discoverers; 7. And the Verifications of Theory, 8. By means of several easy Steps. 9. This resembles Book-keeping. 10. The Logic of I nduction. 11. Attention at each step required. 12. General Truths are not mere additions of particulars :13. But a new view is introduced. 14. Formula of Inductive Logic: 15. May refer to Definition. 16. Formula inadequate. 17. Deductive Connexion of Steps. 18. Relation of Deductive and Inductive Reasoning. 19. The Criterion of Truth. 20. Theory and Fact. 21. Higher and Lower Generalizations. Chap. VII. Of Laws of Phenomena and of Causes .95 Art A. Knowledge of Laws of Phenomena. 2. Formal and Physical Sciences. 3. Causes in A stronomy. 4. Different Mechanical Causes in other Sciences. 5. Chemical and Vital Forces as Causes. 6. Differences of these kinds of Force. 7. Difficulty of conceiving new Causes.
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About the Publisher
Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology.
Forgotten Books' Classic Reprint Series utilizes the latest technology to regenerate facsimiles of historically important writings. Careful attention has been made to accurately preserve the original format of eac
The Elements of Morality, Vol. 2 of 2: Including Polity (Classic Reprint)
(Excerpt from The Elements of Morality, Vol. 2 of 2: Inclu...)
Excerpt from The Elements of Morality, Vol. 2 of 2: Including Polity
Foreign Supremacy may be held; But not by caprice of Sovereign. Religious grounds of the Supremacy. St. Peter's Primacy is false.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
William Whewell was an English polymath, scientist, Anglican priest, philosopher, theologian, and historian of science.
Background
Whewell was born in Lancaster on 24 May 1794. His father, a carpenter, wished him to follow his trade, but his success in mathematics at Lancaster and Heversham grammar-schools enabled him to proceed with an exhibition to Trinity, Cambridge (1812).
Career
He was second wrangler in 1816, became fellow and tutor of his college, and, in 1841, succeeded Dr Wordsworth as master. He was professor of mineralogy from 1828 to 1832, and of moral philosophy (then called " moral theology and casuistical divinity") from 1838 to 1855.
He died on the 6th of March 1866 from the effects of a fall from his horse. Whewell was prominent not only in scientific research and philosophy, but also in university and college administration.
His first work, An Elementary Treatise on Mechanics (1819), co-operated with those of Peacock and Herschcl in reforming the Cambridge method of mathematical teaching; to him in large measure was due the recognition of the moral and natural sciences as an integral part of the Cambridge curriculum (1850).
In 1826 and 1828, Whewell was engaged with Airy in conducting experiments in Dolcoath mine, Cornwall, in order to determine the density of the earth. Their united labours were unsuccessful, and Whewell did little more in the way of experimental science. He was the author, however, of an Essay on Mincralogical Classification, published in 1828, and contributed various memoirs on the tides to the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society between 1833 and 1850.
But it is on his History and Philosophy of the Sciences that his claim to an enduring reputation mainly rests. The History of the Inductive Sciences, from the Earliest to the Present Time appeared originally in 1837. Whewell's wide, if superficial, acquaintance with various branches of science enabled him to write a comprehensive account of their development, which is still of the greatest value. In his own opinion, the History was to be regarded as an introduction to the Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences (1840).
The latter treatise analyses the method exemplified in the formation of ideas, in the new inductions of science, and in the applications and systematization of these inductions all exhibited bv the History in the process of developmentIn the Philosophy, Whewell endeavours to follow Bacon's plan for discovery of an effectual art of discovery.
Between 1835 and 1861 Whewell was the author of various works on the philosophy of morals and politics, the chief of which, Elements of Morality, including Polity, was published in 1845. The peculiarity of this work-written, of course, from what is known as the intuitional point of view-is its fivefold division of the springs of action and of their objects, of the primary and universal rights of man (personal security, property, contract, family rights and government), and of the cardinal virtues (benevolence, justice, truth, purity and order).
Among Whewell's other works-too numerous to mention-reference must be made to writings popular in their day, such as the Bridgewater Treatise on Astronomy (1833), and the essay. Of the Plurality of Worlds (1854), in which he argued against the probability of planetary life, and also to the Platonic Dialogues for English Readers (1859 - 1861), to the Lectures on the History of Moral Philosophy in England (1852), to the essay, Of a Liberal Education in General, with particular reference to the Leading Studies of the University of Cambridge (1845), to the important edition and abridged translation of Grotius, De jure belli et pacts (1853), and to the edition of the Mathematical Works of Isaac Barrow (1860).
In general, however, especially in later years, he opposed reform: he defended the tutorial system, and in a controversy with Thirlwall (1834) opposed the admission of Dissenters; he upheld the clerical fellowship system, the privileged class of "fellow-commoners, " and the authority of heads of colleges in university affairs.
He opposed the appointment of the University Commission (1850), and wrote two pamphlets {Remarks) against the reform of the university (1855). He advocated as the true reform, against the scheme of entrusting elections to the members of the senate, the use of college funds and the subvention of scientific and professorial work.
He examines ideas ("explication of conceptions and by the colligation of facts endeavours to unite these ideas to the facts and so construct science. But no art of discovery, such as Bacon anticipated, follows, for " invention, sagacity, genius" are needed at each step. He analyses induction into three steps:-(1) the selection of the (fundamental) idea, such as space, number, cause or likeness; (2) the formation of the conception, or more special modification of those ideas, as a circle, a uniform force, &c. ; and (3) the determination of magnitudes. Upon these follow special methods of induction applicable to quantity, viz. , the method of curves, the method of means, the method of least squares and the method of residues, and special methods depending on resemblance (to which the transition is made through the law of continuity), viz. the method of gradation and the method of natural classification.
Here, as in his ethical doctrine (see Ethics), Whewell was moved by opposition to contemporary English empiricism. Following Kant, he asserted against J. S. Mill the a priori nature of necessary truth, and by his rules for the construction of conceptions he dispensed with the inductive methods of Mill.
Membership
He was a member of the Royal Society.
Connections
He was married twice. His first wife was Cordelia Whewell and his second wife was Everina Frances, Lady Affleck.