200 results for "History"

The Quantum Theory

James Zimmerhoff,Fritz Reiche
THE old saying that small causes give rise to great effects has been confirmed more than once in the history of physics. For, very frequently, inconspicuous differences be- tween theory and experiment (which did not, however, escape the vigilant eye of the investigator) have become starting- points of new and important researches. Out of the well-known Michelson-Morley experiment, which, in spite of the application of the most powerful methods of exact optical measurement, failed to show an influence of the earth's movement on the propagation of light as was predicted by classical theory, there arose the great structure of Einstein's Theory of Eelativity. In the same way the trifling difference between the measured and calculated values of black-body radiation gave rise to the Quantum Theory which, formulated by Max Planck, was destined to revolutionise in the course of time almost all departments of physics. The quantum theory is yet comparatively young. It is therefore not surprising that we are confronted with an unfinished theory still in process of development which, changing constantly in many directions, must often destroy what it has built up a short time before. But under such circumstances as these, in which the theory is continually deriving new nourishment from a fresh stream of ideas and suggestions, there is a peculiar fascination in attempting to review the life-history of the quantum theory to the present time and in disclosing the kernel which will certainly out- last changes of form, 1 CHAPTER I The Origin of the Quantum Hypothesis § I. Black-Body Radiation and its Realisation in Practice THE Quantum Theory &st saw light in 1900. When, in the years immediately preceding (1897-1899), Lummer and Pringsheim made their fundamental measurements ' of black-body radiation at the Beichsanstalt, they could ba.ve had no premonition that their careful experiments would become the starting-point of a revolution such as has seldom occurred in physics. In the field of heat radiation chief interest at that time was centred in the radiation of a black body (briefly called " black- body " radiation), that is, of a body which absorbs completely all radiation which falls on it and which thus reflects, trans- mits, and scatters 2 none. We may shortly call to mind the following facts. It is known that any body at a given temperature sends out energy in the form of radiation into the surrounding space. This radiation is not energy in a single simple form but is made up of a number of single radiations of different colours, i.e. of different wave-lengths X or of different frequencies s v. In other words, it forms in general a spectrum in which radiations of all frequencies between v = and v = oo are represented. Further, these radiations are present in varying " intensities." We define this term thus. Consider the radiation emitted from unit surface of the body per second in a certain direction ; break it up spectrally and cut out of the spectrum a small frequency interval dv such that it contains all frequencies between v and V + dv. The energy of radiation E^ thus sliced out (namely, the emissivity of the body for the frequency v)
Independently Published 2017-09-16 185 pages

Reason and culture: the historic role of rationality and rationalism

Gellner, Ernest
Since the 17th century, Western society has had a turbulent relationship with Reason. Descartes set out to reorganize all his opinions in the light of Reason, allowing, as Pascal bitterly reproached him, nothing else. In the course of the centuries which followed, the relationship with Reason became the object of a vigorous, often passionate debate. David Hume declared Reason to be impotent; Immanuel Kant observed that men suffered from 'misology' as the result of their disappointed expectations from Reason; G.W.F. Hegel declared that the main insight of philosophy consisted of the realization that Reason masterminded and guided all history. The debate has not remained restricted to philosophy. Max Weber, the most influential modern sociologist, was obsessed with the distinctive role of Reason in Western society, and the part it played in engendering industrialism. Social anthropologists have been preoccupied both with the universality and the diversity of conceptual thought. Emile Durkheim taught them to ask why all men were rational, whilst Max Weber taught sociologists to ask why some men were more rational than others. This book brings together the philosophical, historical and sociological discussions of rationality and strives to make clear the underlying issues and the continuity of the debate in the various disciplines.
Basil Blackwell 1992-08-03 193 pages

The Sealed Box of Suicide: The Contexts of Self-Death

Tatz, Colin,Tatz, Simon
Prologue.- Chapter 1. Depressing Thoughts.- Chapter 2. Suicide and History.- Chapter 3. Suicide and Criminality.- Chapter 4. Suicide and Science.- Chapter 5. Distinguishing Differences.- Chapter 6. The Matter of Reporting.- Chapter 7. Mainstream Suicide.- Chapter 8. Aboriginal Suicide.- Chapter 9. The Matter of Rejection.- Chapter 10. The Matter of Prevention.- Chapter 11. A Matter of Economics.- Chapter 12. A Matter of Education.- Chapter 13. Kinds Hearts and Coroners.- Chapter 14. Reading Guide.- References.
Springer 2019-09-26 226 pages

The decomposition of sociology

Horowitz, Irving Louis
Sociology, writes Irving Louis Horowitz, has changed from a central discipline of the social sciences to an ideological outpost of political extremism. As a result, the field is in crisis. Some departments have been shut down, others cut back, research programs have dried up, and the growth of professional organizations and student enrollments have been either curbed or atrophied. In The Decomposition of Sociology, Professor Horowitz, for four decades a leading social scientist, offers a frank and full account of the maelstrom engulfing this field. Horowitz pulls no punches in this provocative volume. He charges that much contemporary sociological theory has degenerated into pure critique, strongly influenced by Marxist dogmatism. Such thinking has a strong element of anti-American and anti-Western bias, in which all questions have one answer--the evil of capitalism--and all problems one solution--the good of socialism. In criminology, for instance, he shows that high crime rates are seen as an expression of capitalist disintegration, and criminal behavior a covert expression of radical action. Indeed, in one area after another, Horowitz shows how this same formulaic thinking dominates the field, resulting in a crude reductionist view of contemporary social life. At a time when the world is moving closer to the free market and democratic norms, he concludes, such reductionist tendencies and ideological posturings are outmoded. Horowitz offers an alternative. He urges a larger vision of the social sciences, one in which universities, granting agencies and research institutes provide an environment in which research may be untainted by partisan agencies--where policy choices will not be hindered by the prevailing cultural climate. He counsels sociologists to move away from blind advocacy, to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century by incorporating the knowledge of other times and places, and to take into account the shrinking globe--in short, to develop and maintain a new set of universal standards in this era of a world culture. Here then is an eloquent plea for a revolution in sociology, written by one of the field's foremost figures. It offers as well a cautionary tale about the potentially devastating effect of ideology on scholarly pursuits.
Oxford University Press 1993 282 pages

College Prolongs Infancy

HORACE MEYER. KALLEN
Unlock the provocative insights of "College Prolongs Infancy" by Horace Meyer Kallen, a timeless exploration of education's impact on personal growth and societal progress. After decades out of print, this thought-provoking classic is now beautifully restored and republished by Alpha Editions, offering a fresh perspective for today's and future generations. Kallen's incisive critique challenges the conventional wisdom of higher education, questioning whether it truly prepares individuals for the complexities of adult life or merely extends the dependency of youth. With eloquent prose and sharp analysis, Kallen invites readers to reconsider the role of college in shaping mature, independent thinkers. This edition is more than a reprint; it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure, meticulously restored to preserve its original brilliance. Whether you're a casual reader or a classic literature aficionado, this book promises to engage your mind and stir your soul. Dive into a work that remains as relevant today as when it first sparked debate, and discover why "College Prolongs Infancy" is a must-have for any discerning reader's collection.
Alpha Edition 2025-04-15 24 pages

The History Of The Jews From The Christian Era To The Dawn Of The Reformation

Gosse, Philip Henry
This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.
Kessinger Publishing, LLC 2007-06-25 412 pages

Same God, Other god Judaism, Hinduism, and the Problem of Idolatry

Alon Goshen-Gottstein
Jews often consider Hinduism to be Avoda Zara, idolatry, due to its worship of images and multiple gods. Closer study of Hinduism and of recent Jewish attitudes to it suggests the problem is far more complex. In the process of considering Hinduism's status as Avoda Zara, this book revisits the fundamental definitions of Avoda Zara and asks how we use the category. By appealing to the history of Judaism's view of Christianity, author Alon Goshen-Gottstein seeks to define what Avoda Zara is and how one might recognize the same God in different religions, despite legal definitions. Through a series of leading questions, the discussion moves from a blanket view of Hinduism as idolatry to a recognition that all religions have aspects that are idolatrous and non-idolatrous. Goshen-Gottstein explains how the category of idolatry itself must be viewed with more nuance. Introducing this nuance, he asserts, leads one away from a globalized view of an entire tradition in these terms.
Palgrave Macmillan US 2017-01-29 265 pages

Proclaim Liberty!

Gilbert Seldes
Explore the enduring meaning of "Proclaim Liberty!" in this vital work by Gilbert Seldes. A powerful examination of liberty in the context of American history, this book delves into the core principles of freedom and social justice. Situated within the realms of political science and sociology, the text offers insights into the complexities of political freedom and its impact on society. This meticulously prepared edition makes this classic text accessible to those seeking a deeper understanding of the ongoing struggle for liberty. "Proclaim Liberty!" is a timeless exploration of fundamental rights and the historical context that shaped them, relevant to anyone interested in the foundations of American society and the ongoing pursuit of social justice. It offers a valuable perspective on the past to inform our understanding of the present. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
Creative Media Partners, LLC 2025-03-29 142 pages

The Dimensions of Liberty

Oscar Handlin,Mary Handlin
Using the ability of the individual to take action as a working measure of the extent of liberty at any time, Oscar Handlin and Mary Handlin identify and describe numerous factors that have had an important effect on American freedom since colonial days. In defining the broad dimensions of the conception, they investigate, among other subjects, the significance of the idea that the state derived power from the consent of the governed, the early concept of the Commonwealth, the later one of police powers, the roles played by governmental institutions, churches, secret lodges, voluntary associations of all kinds, immigration, the professions, continuing social and physical mobility, and the growth of wealth.
Harvard University Press 2013-10 204 pages

Lessons of struggle: South African internal opposition, 1960-1990

Marx, Anthony W.
This work provides an in-depth analysis of thirty years of South African opposition paying particular attention to the development of the Black Consciousness movement founded by Steve Biko, the ANC-aligned United Democratic Front, and the burgeoning trade unions. Marx demonstrates how each group's ideology, focusing respectively on racial assertiveness, national unity, and class organization, influenced each other, and shaped popular activism. His findings help to explain both the recent initiation of negotiations and possible future developments.
Oxford University Press 1992-03-05 347 pages

Nicholas Rescher - Collected Papers

Nicholas Rescher
5-Volume Set. Nicholas Rescher is University Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh where he also served for many years as Director of the Center for Philosophy of Science. He is a former president of the Eastern Division of the American Philosophical Association, and has also served as President of the American Catholic Philosophical Association, the American Metaphysical Society, the American G W Leibniz Society, and the C S Peirce Society. An honorary member of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, he has been elected to membership in the European Academy of Arts and Sciences (Academia Europaea), the Institut International de Philosophie, and several other learned academies. Having held visiting lectureships at Oxford, Constance, Salamanca, Munich, and Marburg, Professor Rescher has received six honorary degrees from universities on three continents. Author of some hundred books ranging over many areas of philosophy, over a dozen of them translated into other languages, he was awarded the Alexander von Humboldt Prize for Humanistic Scholarship in 1984. Includes the following: Volume 10, Studies in the History of Logic; Volume 11, Studies in the Philosophy of Science; Volume 12, Studies in Metaphysical Optimalism; Volume 13, Studies in Leibniz's Cosmology; Volume 14, Studies in Autobiography.
Transaction Publishers 2006 124 pages

Religion and Humane Global Governance

R. Falk
Falk argues that the failure to achieve what he terms "humane global governance" is partially due to the exclusion of religious and spiritual dimensions of human experience from the study and practice of government. The book begins with a section on dominant world order trends and tendencies with respect to global governance. This is followed by consideration of the extent to which these recent world order trends that are shaping the historical situation at the end of the second millennium are also creating a new, unexpected opening for religious and spiritual energies, a development that has problematic as well as encouraging aspects. This religious resurgence is also discussed as part of the double-edged relevance of religion to global governance. The final section argues in support of the inclusion of emancipatory religious and spiritual perspectives in world order thinking and practice, along with an enumeration of potential contributions.
Palgrave Macmillan US 2014-01-14 191 pages

A Complete and Utter Failure A Celebration of Also - Rans, Runners-Up, Never - Weres and Total Flops

Neil Steinberg
So you've got these fond hopes for blissful love, professional glory, fame, and fortune. But in the back of your mind there's that nagging fear. The man of your dreams will laugh in your face. Your hated office rival will come up with some whizbang marketing idea and get promoted, while you'll be asked to "help out with the phones." Steven Spielberg will buy the rights to your screenplay, spend $40 million producing it, and the critics will savage the film, mercilessly singling out your work for especially contemptuous, poisonous derision. But hey, everybody fails sometime. It's inevitable. So don't fear failure. Embrace it. In Complete And Utter Failure, Neil Steinberg joyfully explores the many fascinating facets of failure, from pointless failure (a brief history of several very dumb attempts to climb Mount Everest) to product failure (Reddi-Bacon, smokeless cigarettes, and Baby Jesus dolls) to institutionalized failure (the horrifying Dickensian spectacle of the National Spelling Bee, in which 8,999,999 children out of 9,000,000 fail in an excruciatingly public and humiliating fashion). This delightful book is filled with surprising and useless arcana--who really invented the telephone, what turned on Isaac Newton--guaranteed to help you annoy people at cocktail parties. Along the way Steinberg meditates on his own myriad miscues and disappointments, beginning with his failure to perform a magic trick in front of the neighborhood kids at age four (he blames Captain Kangaroo). Complete And Utter Failure is a wonderfully literate, witty book that issues a ringing message for our times: If at first you don't succeed, have a scotch and forget about it.
Broadway Books 1995-10 272 pages

Surrender and catch: experience and inquiry today

Wolff, Kurt H.
Su"ender and catch: give so you can receive, where the giving is your whole self, in a total experience. This is scarcely new on the American scene, and it is ancient knowledge, East and West. The fears of total surrender, the fears of self-revelation and of total abandon, although genuine, are likewise not new. Yet Kurt H. Wolff does attempt something new here, an epistemologi cal essay with the help of this old idea: his subtitle is 'experience and inquiry today'. He tries to formulate an integrated view which incorporates in the theory of total experience not only the accepted component- esthetics, religion, the recent American experience - but also a metaphysics, a phenomenology, a theory of perception, a social philosophy and a methodology of the social sciences, even a philosophy of history and psychopathology. Phenomenology (especially Alfred Schutz), the critical Frankfurt school (especially Adorno and Marcuse), sociology (especially Georg Simmel), and existentialism (especially Camus) are tied in together. It all looks topsy-turvy at first. We have here scraps of a diary, fragments of correspondence, a stray adolescent love letter, notes on notes on field work, and notes and comments on tutorial seminars plus long excerpts from students' essays, a stray paper in a learned journal summarizing the core of the book, comments piled on comments and a web of self-references, literary criticisms, and pieces of poetry, plus a rich scholarly apparatus.
D. Reidel Pub. Co 1976 410 pages