Volume 1

Elements of physics, or, Natural philosophy : general and medical, explained independently of technical mathematics, and containing new disquisitions and practical suggestions / by Neil Arnott.

  • Arnott, Neil, 1788-1874.
Date:
1828
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Elements of physics, or, Natural philosophy : general and medical, explained independently of technical mathematics, and containing new disquisitions and practical suggestions / by Neil Arnott. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by University of Bristol Library. The original may be consulted at University of Bristol Library.

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    confirmed, still a very deep investigation of theitfis neither possible to the generality of men, nor if it were so, would it be of any utility.—The mode of proceeding to which we have now alluded, is just as if a man, to whom per- mission were given to enter and possess a magnificent garden, on condition of his procuring a key to open the gate, and measures of all kinds to estimate the riches contained within, should waste his whole life on the road, in polishing one key, or in procuring several of different materials and wox'kmanship, and in preparing a multi- plicity of unnecessary measures. This and many similar errors, arise from men not being in general taught to car- ry in their minds a clear conception of the general field of human knowledge, and thence of the comparative im- portance of the different subdivisions,—the possession of which conception is perhaps the most valuable single acquirement which the mind can make. He whose view is bounded by the limits of one or two small departments, will probably have very false ideas even of them, but he certainly will, of other parts, and of the whole; so as to be constantly exposed to commit errors hurtful to himself or to others. His mind compared to the well-ordered mind of a properly educated man, is what the crooked and mis- shapen body of the mechanic, confined to certain actions and attitudes, is to the godlike form of the most perfect specimen of human nature. By arranging science according to its natural relations, and therefore so as to avoid repetitions and anticipations, a very complete system might be exhibited in small bulk, viz. in five volumes, of which the separate titles would be, 1st. Physics; 2d. Chemistry; 3d. Organic Life, or Physiology; 4.th. Mind; and 5th. Measui xs or Mathe- matics. From such works, with less trouble than it now costs to obtain familiarity with one new language, a man might obtain a general acquaintance with science. And such is the close relation of the departments of science c 2