cosmology

[Fr. cosmologie; Gr. kosmolo gia ( Littré, not in Liddell & Scott ): kosmos =the world, and logos =. a discourse.] The science which investigates the causes by which the beautiful order of the universe, the solar system, or the (3) Jewish and Christian Cosmogony Blended with Independent Speculation : While geology was in its infancy, it gave its strength to cosmogonical in- quiry, with the result of generating controversies earth has been produced, as distinct from Cosmog raphy and Cosmogony (q. v.). Sir Charles Lyell which continued century after century. They were terminated, not by the settlement of the question considers Cosmology and Cosmogony identical, and in dispute, but by the wise resolve of those engaged they are at least closely akin. If cosmology invest i- in it, or at least of the higher minds among them, gates the secondary causes by which the present to confine their inquiries, at least for a time, to geological facts, and reconstruct, as far as it was practicable, the past history of the globe, before speculating as to its origin. Metaphysicians like Kant took up the abandoned field, but without notable result. (4) Semi - scientific Cosmogony: Geologists have shown some tendency to return to cosmological speculation, with the aid of the vastly increased number of facts which the investigations of the last half century have accumulated. The revival of the order of the universe is maintained, and these, as there is evidence to show, have been operative for at least an indefinite period during the past, a study of these causes is to a certain extent a study of the manner in which the genesis of the world took place. "Cosmogony, Cosmology. Words synonymous ir meaning, applied to speculations respecting the first origin or mode of creation of the earth:.."- Lyell : Princip. of Geol.; Glo ary. căş-mom-ět-rỹ, s. [Gr. kosmos =the world, and nebular hypothesis of La Place was a return to cos- metron a measure.] The science which measures mogonical speculation. [NEBULAR HYPOTHESIS.] the world. But as the world in the sen measures The efforts made by Sir William Thomson, Prof. universe is limitle , and therefore unmeasurable, Tait, and others, to ascertain by a study of the sun it must be the earth, the solar system, or the known what fund of bygone time geologists have at their parts of the universe which alone can be measured disposal to draw upon, also fall within the province or estimated. of cosmogony. IMG:content-1054.png:[blocks in formation] IMG:content-1055.png:[blocks in formation] 1. A cosmopolite; one who is at home in any part 2. A worldling; one who cares for no country but general principles. Thus a statement as to the uniform angle or direction at which the pole of the only for himself. earth is slanted in every part of its orbit ought to căş-mo-pol-1-tan-Ism, s. [Eng. cosmopolitan; be stated under cosmography, since it is the e en--ism.] The quality of being cosmopolitan; cosmo- tial fact on which the alternation of the seasons politism. depends; but that Ceylon is an island at the south some English men, not wholly given over to "The temples and saloons, and cosmoramas ." Dickens: Sketches by Boz; Vauxhall. cõş-mô-răm-Ic, a. [Eng., Mod. Gr., ., cosmo ram ( a ), and Eng. suff. -ic .] Pertaining or relating to a cosmorama (q. v.). cõş-mos, s . [Gr.=(1) order, (2) an ornament, (3) a ruler, (4) the world or universe from its perfect order and arrangement, as opposed to chaos. Probably from komeō =to take care of, to attend to.] 1. Ancient Phil .: The term kosmos in the fourth sense [Etym.] appears first in the philosophy of Pythagoras. His followers Philolaos, Callicratidas, and others adopted the word, as did the philosophic poets Xenophanes, Par me nides, and From them it pa ed to the natural philosophers, with whom it became a current word. The Stoics used it for the anima mundi or soul of the world. With regard to extent it had several senses: (1) the earth, (2) the firmament, (3) the region in which the stars are fixed or apparently move; in the Alexandrian Greek, the known world. ( Liddell & Scott .) 2. Modern Science: The universe, or as much of it as may be known by man. It is a sublime word, and useful when one competent for the task if any man really is competent attempts to sum up what is known, not of the earth merely, but of the solar system and the limitle expanse in which are the fixed stars. Thus a celebrated book in which the great naturalist Alexander von Humboldt in his old age ma ed together his stores of knowledge of nature, was called "Humboldt's Cosmos." IMG:content-1056.png:[blocks in formation] Astronomical Instrument: An instrument for representing, though of nece ity very imperfectly, the relative position of this earth with regard to the stellar "firmament." For the earth stands a terrestrial globe, for the stellar "vault" a hollow gla sphere, within which the before-mentioned globe is placed. But the firmament or vault is an infinite expanse between which and the diminutive earth there is absolute incommensurability.