Spencer Heath Archive

Item 399

Penned notes, Spring 1958

     Until the twentieth century physical science was highly diverse.In chemistry it was static. Its subject matter was atoms as matter or mass — simple as single atoms, complex when organized as molecules, but always in a specific condition or state or condition. Transitions from state to state were called reactions. The mode of transition was accepted as obscure and little attended to. Process was accepted, taken for granted but itself not analyzed. Its steps were noted, but the state or condition of the material substance, mainly its capability of reacting with others, was the principal object of interest or examination. In the transition (during reactions) from one state of organi­zation, force, motion, and time were recognized, but once the transition was effected and complete, these elements were no longer regarded and the atom or molecule was consi­dered merely as an existing body or structure without reference to process or change — as though having within itself none but purely static or geometrical characteristics. Force, motion and time were regarded not as inherent in but rather as extraneous to the structure and causing or imposing change upon it, a very limited conception of natural pheno­mena, twin heritage from the materialism and abstract geometry of ancient times.

     Nineteenth century physics was similarly circumscribed

                                               /Breaks off/