エネルギー恒存則の成立について : 特にその契機的先行概念との關係
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概要
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A new system or law of natural science cannot be derived only by an accumulation of facts, but must be conceived and devised beforehand according to some conception which provides a model for the new system or leads the mind to try to formulate a certain hypothesis. This kind of leading idea for a new system may be called its "preceding conception." There may be nothing that can serve as the "preceding conception" other than the various ideas which the researcher actually possesses. Besides, these ideas are not necessarily transcendental and general, but mostly they are historical and characteristic ones. This is frequently evident in the history of the development of science. So, even the systems of natural science owe much to social and metaphysical conceptions at the time of their establishment. In the case of the formulation of the law of conservation of energy, on which the present author is particularly studying in this work, the so-called "Hebraic Concept of Value" seems to be the "preceding conception" for the law. This concept may have been derived from Judaic-Christian thought as appears in the Bible especially in connection with the Creation and Redemption as well as numerous references to labour and other economic matters. It has had an important influence in various ways upon the thought, culture and economy of the western countries, which, as discussed in this study, also contributed to the establishment of the great law of conservation of energy. Ernst Mach says in his famous book "Die Mechanik in ihrer Entwicklung historisch-kritisch dargestellt" that the law of conservation of energy was formulated under the influence of religious thought. Max Planck also mentions the close relationship between the idea of conservation and that of the eternity of the Creator ("Das Prinzip der Erhaltung der Energie"). Really, Mayer, Joule and Faraday, who respectively established this law, conducted experiments on the mechanical equivalent of heat, and supported this newly established law, were all quite sure,as we can see in their writings, that there cannot be any creation or annihilation of 'force' because it was created and can be destroyed only by the Creator and not by men, Helmholtz, who devised the mathematical statement of this law, also may possibly have been influenced by a similar idea, judging from his lectures on this law. Mayer and Helmholtz were physicians and Joule was an engineer. They were interested in the study of heat and work in animals or engines and this led them to their research on this law. Here, particularly, the "Hebraic Concept of Value" played a leading role because of its penetrating insight and its quantitative exactness, and that concept enabled them to work out and establish a broad general relationship among the most concrete and practical things and to synthesize the separate phenomena into a unique system. Thus, as the Hebraic concept has contributed so much to economic development both in ancient and modern times, so also it has furthered the development of natural science. The present author first discusses generally the relation between the establishment of a law and a "preceding conception" for it. Then he traces the historical circumstances of the establishment of the law of conservation of energy, and describes the "Hebraic Concept of Value." Finally he examines their mutual relationships and tentatively formulates the conclusion, stated above, which he hopes will prove to be a stimulus to further critical thought.
- 東京女子大学の論文
- 1954-08-10