Paradoxical philosophy : a sequel to the Unseen universe.

  • Balfour Stewart
Date:
1878
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Paradoxical philosophy : a sequel to the Unseen universe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    102/282 page 86
    sudden coming into being of a watch would put all finite intellects to permanent confusion. Stephen Fairbank.—I quite agree with you, Doctor, and feel disposed to push the argu- ment even further. Suppose, for instance, some one were to suggest as an alternative hypothesis the infinite past duration of the watch, what now should you say to such a view ? Dr. Hermann Stoffkraft.—It would be no improvement. You would not by this means get rid of intellectual confusion. In the case before us you are compelled by your intellect to try to imagine how the parts of the watch were brought together; but the hypothesis of eternity pulls you up with a vengeance. I must have a previous state, and this must be a conceivable one—somehow or other in the universe, and not out of it. Stephen Fairbank.—Well, Doctor, you have completely disposed of the eternity hypo- thesis. But imagine that some very per- tinacious objector (like Frederick there) were
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