John Wesley Powell

“ Now consider the speed of the particle in vibration when the deflection is one hundred and eighty degrees; then the total speed is represented in the vibration, but when the particle is moved in a direction normal to the vibration, the speed of the vibration is less by the amount of speed taken up in the new motion; thus the speed of the particle is divided between its two motions. In this manner we may conceive of the speed of the ultimate particle as being divided among the speeds of the bodies of a hierarchy in which the particle is incorporated. ”

“ Now, the solar system may be considered as the type of a molecule in which the particles retain their speeds and have their relative positions fixed by deflection in the motion of revolution. Yet the concept is not complete; for every one of the members of the solar system is rotating about its own axis. So that there is a complex system of motions within the solar system by which the orbs are kept within the theater of the system itself, even though the system as a unit may be revolving about some other point in the heavens ”

“ Every act performed by man, every word spoken is an interference in the laws of causation and is designed as such. The artisan who repaired my roof interfered in the laws of causation by making the repair, but this interference can only be accomplished by the substitution of a new cause.
VI We have now discovered that there is an additional property of the inanimate particle when it is incorporated, and that this is affinity. All we know of affinity is that it is the choice of one particle for another as its associate or is their mutual choice. ”

“ IV It has already been asserted that a particle cannot lose speed. When we contemplate a molecule composed of particles in which relative positions are fixed, we are compelled to develop the thought one stage farther and conceive of them as still retaining their speeds. The concept of particles with relative positions fixed, and every one retaining its motion, can be realized by a consideration of facts presented by celestial bodies. ”

“ We have shown that the ultimate discrete particles are related to each other through pluralities, positions, paths and changes, and we have now to consider another method of association, for particles of matter are incorporated, and enter into fixed associations with one another by affinity, the nature of which has never been explained, although the association is well known. Every particle of matter under certain conditions seems to be able to choose its associate, and a group of such particles that have mutual affinities become compounded into that which is usually denominated a molecule. ”

“ The earth and moon revolve about a common axis which is within the periphery of the earth, and each retains its own speed while the relative position of each is preserved. But the sun and the earth revolve together about a common axis in the same manner, and the relative positions are preserved, while the relative position of the moon to the sun is indirect through the mediation of the earth. ”

“ These are special causes as distinct from the total cause. Man comes to consider cause in this manner for a practical reason, for he interferes in causation for his own ends, and is forever searching for the most economic means of changing events. ”

“ When bodies are considered another set of relations are generated. With every collision the body may be modified, and a succession of these collisions may ultimately produce a great change. The change which bodies undergo in this manner is called causation. Thus, a body may be deformed or broken up, it may grow or decay when cause and effect are involved. ”

“ Man bent upon the modification of events is forever intent upon the discovery of the most easily variable cause, and no small proportion of his energies are devoted to this discovery, and the invention of the way by which his discoveries may be made of avail. ”

“ Here we are introduced to the multitudinous phenomena of affinity, which can be explained only as choice. We must yet go on to consider other bodies than molecules to obtain a clearer idea of the nature of affinity itself. ”

“ At this moment a man is climbing to the roof of my house. The cause of his climbing is a breach in the roof which he intends to repair. The cause of his climbing is his intention; the cause of his climbing is my request; the cause of his climbing is my knowledge of the breach in the roof; the cause of his climbing is the information given me by another that my roof leaks; the cause of his climbing is his desire to earn a fee; the cause of his climbing is his desire to purchase food; the cause of his climbing is his love of his family; the cause of his climbing is the hunger of his children. ”