Outlines of Cosmic Philosophy: Based on the Doctrine of Evolution, with Criticisms on the Positive Philosophy, Volume 3Houghton, Mifflin, 1902 - Evolution |
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adaptation adjustment aggregate ancient animals become biology birds brain carnivora cause cells cerebellum cerebrum chapter civilization classification cognition colour complex compound Comte conception consciousness continuous coördination correspondence Darwin definite differentiation direct doctrine efferent nerve ence environment epoch equal equilibration evolution existence external fact feelings fibres forces forms formula free-will fundamental ganglia heliconia heterogeneity higher hipparion human hypothesis illustration implies impressions increase individual inference integration intelligence internal law of progress less mammals marsupials ment mental mind Mivart molecular molecules mollusks natural selection nerve nervous nevertheless nomena objects observation organism Origin of Species outer relations perception pheno phenomena phrenology physical present primitive Principles of Psychology psychical pterodactyl race reflex action regarded result scientific sensation sequence social progress society sociology species Spencer structure surface tendency theory of natural tion transit lines tribe variations vertebrate volition waves
Popular passages
Page 97 - is a definite combination of heterogeneous changes, both simultaneous and successive, in correspondence with external coexistences and sequences.
Page 325 - Progress, therefore, is not an accident, but a necessity. Instead of civilization being artificial it is a part of nature; all of a piece with the development of an embryo or the unfolding of a flower.
Page 117 - Though accumulated observations and experiments have led us by a very indirect series of inferences (§ 41) to the belief that mind and nervous action are the subjective and objective faces of the same thing, we remain utterly incapable of seeing, and even of imagining, how the two are related.
Page 4 - We do not appear to understand each other, my good friend,' said Goethe ; 'I am not speaking of those people, but of something quite different. I am speaking of the contest so important for science between Cuvier and Geoffroy St. Hilaire, which has come to an open rupture in the Academy.
Page 308 - It is full, in all its provinces, of the clearest indications that society in primitive times was not what it is assumed to be at present, a collection of individuals. In fact, and in the view of the men who composed it, it was an aggregation of families. The contrast may be most forcibly expressed by saying that the unit of an ancient society was the Family, of a modern society the Individual.
Page 30 - Concealment, more or less complete, is useful to many animals, and absolutely essential to some. Those which have numerous enemies from which they cannot escape by rapidity of motion find safety in concealment. Those which prey upon others must also be so constituted as not to alarm them by their presence or their approach, or they would soon die of hunger.
Page 51 - ... species of distinct genera. We see this in the recent extension over parts of the United States of one species of swallow having caused the decrease of another species. The recent increase of the missel-thrush in parts of Scotland has caused the decrease of the song-thrush. How frequently we hear of one species of rat taking the place of another species under the most different climates!
Page 35 - In the tropics there are thousands of species of insects which rest during the day clinging to the bark of dead or fallen trees; and the greater portion of these are delicately mottled with gray and brown tints, which though symmetrically disposed and infinitely varied, yet blend so completely with the usual colours of the bark, that at two or three feet distance they are quite undistinguishable.
Page 265 - Without attempting to decipher the vagaries in which these cosmical bodies might in such case take it upon themselves to indulge, 1 it will be enough for my present purpose to point out some of the shoals on which the free-will doctrine must land its defenders. If volitions arise without cause, it necessarily follows that we cannot infer from them the character of the antecedent states of feeling. If, therefore, a murder has been committed, we have a priori no better reason for suspecting the worst...
Page 110 - Practically, however, they are distinguishable as successively more specialized parts of the total science — parts further specialized by the introduction of additional factors. The astronomy of the solar system is a specialized part of that general astronomy which includes our whole sidereal system ; and becomes specialized by taking into account the revolutions and rotations of planets and satellites. Geology is a specialized part of this special astronomy ; and becomes specialized by joining...