physics (n.)
1580s, "natural science, the science of the principles operative in organic nature," from
physic in sense of "natural science." Also see
-ics. Based on Latin physica (neuter plural), from Greek ta physika, literally "the natural things," title of Aristotle's treatise on nature. The current restricted sense of "science treating of properties of matter and energy" is from 1715.
Before the rise of modern science, physics was usually defined as the science of that which is movable, or the science of natural bodies. It was commonly made to include all natural science. At present, vital phenomena are not considered objects of physics, which is divided into general and applied physics. [Century Dictionary, 1895]
physical (adj.)
early 15c., phisical, "medicinal" (opposed to surgical), from Medieval Latin physicalis "of nature, natural," from Latin physica "study of nature" (see physic).
The meaning "pertaining to matter, of or pertaining to what is perceived by the senses" is from 1590s; the meaning "having to do with the body, corporeal, pertaining to the material part or structure of an organized being" (as opposed to mental or moral) is attested from 1780. The sense of "characterized by bodily attributes or activities, being or inclined to be bodily aggressive or violent" is attested from 1970.
Physical education is recorded by 1838; the abbreviated form phys ed is by 1955.
Physical therapy is from 1922. Related: Physically.
In
philosophy,
rationalism is the
epistemological view that "regards
reason as the chief source and test of knowledge"
[1] or "any view appealing to reason as a source of knowledge or justification".
[2] More formally, rationalism is defined as a
methodology or a
theory "in which the criterion of the truth is not sensory but intellectual and
deductive".
[3]
In an old controversy, rationalism was opposed to
empiricism, where the rationalists believed that reality has an intrinsically logical structure. Because of this, the rationalists argued that certain truths exist and that the intellect can directly grasp these truths. That is to say, rationalists asserted that certain rational principles exist in
logic,
mathematics,
ethics, and
metaphysics that are so fundamentally true that denying them causes one to fall into contradiction. The rationalists had such a high confidence in reason that empirical proof and physical evidence were regarded as unnecessary to ascertain certain truths – in other words, "there are significant ways in which our concepts and knowledge are gained independently of sense experience".
[4]