Physiognomy (from , nature, and , an index), a method, rather than a science, of discovering the hulman character by means of the features, especially of the countenance. To some extent this is instinctively practiced, as all have learned to read the natural language of the tones, expression, gesture, etc., which spontaneously accompany our emotions. … Continue reading “Physiognomy”
Physiocrats
Physiocrats (physis, nature, kratein, rule) A school of writers on political and economic subjects that flourished in France in the second half of the eighteenth century, and attacked the monopolies, exclusive corporations, vexatious taxes, and various other abuses which had grown up under the mercantile system. Statesmen of the mercantile school in France and elsewhere … Continue reading “Physiocrats”
Physics, History of
Physics, History of The subject will be treated under the following heads: I. A Glance at Ancient Physics; II. Science and Early Christian Scholars; III. A Glance at Arabian Physics; IV. Arabian Tradition and Latin Scholasticism; V. The Science of Observation and Its Progress Astronomers The Statics of Jordanus Thierry of Freiberg Pierre of Maricourt; … Continue reading “Physics, History of”
Physics
physics The group of sciences (excluding biology and chemistry) which treat of the phenomena, and the laws governing the phenomena associated with matter in general. It therefore treats of: matter, its constitution and properties mechanics, which includes statics and dynamics, and treats of the action of forces on material bodies acoustics, which treats of the … Continue reading “Physics”
Physico-Theology
Physico-Theology A theology which finds corroboration in natural philosophy. A term now in general disuse. — V.F. Fuente: The Dictionary of Philosophy
Physico-Theological Argument
Physico-Theological Argument Kant’s (q.v.) term for the teleological proof of the existence of God. — O.F.K. Fuente: The Dictionary of Philosophy
PHYSICIANS
PHYSICIANS The medical skill of the Egyptians was widely celebrated. Each physician confined his practice to diseases of a single class, and thus a large household would require the attendance of numerous physicians, Gen 50:2 . The Hebrews also had professional physicians, Exo 21:19 Pro 17:22 Mat 9:12 Luk 4:23 8:43. In the early ages … Continue reading “PHYSICIANS”
Physician, The
Physician, The Title of Our Lord occurring in Matthew 9:12-13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31-32. He eats and consorts with sinners because God the Father moved by compassion for fallen mankind sent Him as the Divine Physician to invite and lead sinners to repentance, thereby giving Him an opportunity of bringing their souls back to life, … Continue reading “Physician, The”
Physician
Physician Our sources of knowledge of Greek medicine and physicians are (1) works of ancient physicians; (2) notices of early writers concerning Greek medicine and physicians, as Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch, Pausanias, and Galen; (3) various medical instruments in the great museums of Athens, Berlin, Paris, and London, such as knives, probes, needles, balsam cups; (4) … Continue reading “Physician”
Physicalism
Physicalism The thesis, developed within Scientific Empiricism (q.v., , II B), that every descriptive term in the language of science (in the widest sense, including social science) is connected with terms designating observable properties of things. This connection is of such a kind that a sentence applying the term in question is intersubjectively (q.v.) confirmable … Continue reading “Physicalism”