{"product_id":"a-preliminary-discourse-on-the-study-of-natural-philosophy-paperback-9781108000178","title":"A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy (Paperback \/ softback) 9781108000178","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Georgia\"\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"6\"\u003eA Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis landmark work sets out the principles and methods of scientific investigation, both at the theoretical and the practical level.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"4\"\u003eJohn Frederick William Herschel (Author)\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e9781108000178, Cambridge University Press\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePaperback \/ softback, published 20 July 2009\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003e388 pages\u003cbr\u003e21.6 x 14 x 2.2 cm, 0.49 kg\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp align=\"justify\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eAstronomer and philosopher J. F. W. Herschel's A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy, originally published in 1830, can be regarded as the first modern work on the philosophy of science. In this book, Herschel carefully sets out what he regards as the principles and methods of scientific investigation, both at a theoretical level and at the level of experiment or observation. He describes nature as being governed by laws which are difficult to discern by mere observation and so deduces that theoretical science requires analogical reasoning. In the Discourses, written as the first in a series called Cabinet Cyclopaedia, he covers a wide range of methodological, scientific and philosophical subjects that include discussions of contemporary astronomy, atomism and chemistry. His writing on light is heavily influenced by Newton. Herschel also ponders the differences between human beings and animals and the relationship between religious faith and scientific enquiry.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003ePart I. Of the General Nature and Advantages of the Study of Physical Sciences: 1. Of man\u003cbr\u003e 2. Of abstract science\u003cbr\u003e 3. Of the nature and objects\u003cbr\u003e Part II. Of the Principles on which Physical Science Relies for its Successful Prosecution, and the Rules by which a Systematic Examination of Nature Should be Conducted, with Illustrations of their Influence as Exemplified in the History of its Progress: 4. Of experience\u003cbr\u003e 5. Of the analysis of phenomena\u003cbr\u003e 6. Of the state of physical science in general\u003cbr\u003e 7. Of the observation of facts and the collection of instances\u003cbr\u003e 8. Of the classification of natural objects and phenomena\u003cbr\u003e 9. Of the first stage of induction\u003cbr\u003e 10. Of the higher degrees of inductive generalisation\u003cbr\u003e Part III. Of the Subdivision of Physics into Distinct Branches, and their Mutual Relations: 11. Of the phenomena of forces\u003cbr\u003e 12. Of the communication of motion through bodies\u003cbr\u003e 13. Of cosmical phenomena\u003cbr\u003e 14. Of the examination of the material constituents of the world\u003cbr\u003e 15. Of the imponderable forms of matter\u003cbr\u003e 16. Of the causes of the actual rapid advance of the physical sciences.\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cfont size=\"3\"\u003eSubject Areas: History of ideas [\u003ca title=\"See our other books on History of ideas\" href=\"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/search?q=%22History%20of%20ideas%20%5BJFCX%5D%22\"\u003eJFCX\u003c\/a\u003e]\u003c\/font\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003c\/font\u003e","brand":"Cambridge University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46005272281368,"sku":"9781108000178","price":33.19,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0730\/2037\/5320\/products\/9781108000178i.jpg?v=1694867001","url":"https:\/\/freshlyprintedbooks.co.uk\/products\/a-preliminary-discourse-on-the-study-of-natural-philosophy-paperback-9781108000178","provider":"Freshly Printed Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}