The Concepts and Theories of Modern Physics (Classic Reprint)

It is my conviction that this belief is but partially conformable to the fact, and that the prevaiU ng misconceptions in regard to the true logical and psychological premisses of science are prolific of errors, whose reaction upon the character and tendencies of modern thought becomes more apparent from day to day. The shallow and sciolistic materialism I allude, of course, not to its supposed ethical but to its purely intellectual aspects which for a time threatened to blight the soil and poison the atmosphere even of the old highlands of thought on the continent of Europe, claims to be a presentation of conclusions from the facts and principles established in the several departments of physical science. It is part of my endeavor to meet this claim by an examination of the fundamental concepts and general theories of that department of physical science which is, in a sense, the basis and support of all its other departments the department of physics. It will be seen at once, upon a most cursory glance at any one of the chapters of this little book, that it is in no wise intended as an open or covert advocacy of a return to metaphysical methods and aims; but that, on the contrary, its tendency is throughout to eliminate from science its latent metaphysical elements, to foster and not to repress the spirit of experimental investigation, and to accredit instead of discrediting the great endeavor of scientific research to gain a sure foothold on solid empirical ground, where the real data of experience may be reduced without ontological prepossessions.
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)

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