Space and Geometry: In the Light of Physiological, Psychological, and Physical Inquiry (Open Court Classics)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1906. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... SPACE AND GEOMETRY FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF PHYSICAL INQUIRY.1 Our notions of space are rooted in our physiological organism. Geometric concepts are the product of the idealization of physical experiences of space. Systems of geometry, finally, originate in the logical classification of the conceptual materials so obtained. All three factors have left their indubitable traces in modern geometry. Epistemological inquiries regarding space and geometry accordingly concern the physiologist, the psychologist, the physicist, the mathematician, the philosopher, and the logician alike, and they can be gradually carried to their definitive solution only by the consideration of the widely disparate points of view which are here offered. Awakening in early youth to full consciousness, we find ourselves in possession of the notion of a space surrounding and encompassing our body, in which space move divers bodies, now altering and 'I shall endeavor in this essay to define my attitude as a physicist toward the subject of metageometry so called. Detailed geometric developments will have to be sought in the sources. I trust, however, that by the employment of illustrations which are familiar to every one I have made my expositions as popular as the subject permitted. 94 now retaining their size and shape. It is impossible for us to ascertain how this notion has been begotten. Only the most thoroughgoing analysis of experiments purposefully and methodically performed has enabled us to conjecture that inborn idiosyncracies of the body have cooperated to this end with simple and crude experiences of a purely physical character. Sensational And Locative Qualties. An object seen or touched is distinguished not only by a sensational quality (as "red," "rough," "cold," etc....