from The Riddle of the Universe, by Ernst Haeckel. Translayed by Joseph McCabe. The Thinker's Library, No. 3, Watts & Co., London, 1929:
from The Riddle of the Universe, by Ernst Haeckel. Translayed
by Joseph McCabe. The Thinker's Library, No. 3, Watts & Co.,
London, 1929:
"In fundamental opposition to the theorty of vibration,
or the kinetic theory of substance, we have the modern 'theory
of condensation,' or the pyknotic theory of substance. It is most
ably established in the suggestive work of J.C. Vogt on The
Nature of Electricity and Magnetism on the Basis of a Simplified
Conception of Substance (1891).
Vogt assumes the primitive force of the world, the universal prodynamis,
to be, not the vibration or oscillation of particles in empty
space, but the condensation of a simple primitive substance, which
fills the infinity of space in an unbroken continuity. Its sole
inherent mechanical form of activity consists in a tendancy to
condensation or contraction, which produces infinitesimal centres
of condensation; these may change their degree of thickness, and,
therefore, their volume, but are constant as such.
These minute parts of the universal substance, the centres of
condensation, which might be called pyknatoms, correspond in general
to the ultimate separate atoms of the kinetic theory; they differ,
however, very considerably in that they are credited with sensation
and inclination (or will-movement of the simplest form), with
souls, in a certain sense -- in harmony with the old theory of
Empedocles of the "love and hatred of the elements."
Moreover, these "atoms with souls" do not float in empty
space space, but in the continuous, extremely attenuated intermediate
substance, which represents the uncondensed portion of the primitive
matter.
By means of certain "constellations, centres of perterbation,
or systems of deformation," great masses of centres of condensation
quickly unite in immense proportions, and so obtain a preponderance
over the surrounding masses. By that process the primitive substance,
which in its original state of quiescence had the same mean consistency
throughout, divides or differentiates into two kinds. The centres
of disturbance, which positively exceed the mean consistancy in
virtue of the pyknosis or condensation, form the ponderable matter
of bodies; the finer, intermediate substance, which occupies the
space between them, and negatively falls below the mean consistancy,
forms the ether, or imponderable matter.
As a consequence of this division into mass and ether there ensues
a ceaseless struggle between the two antagonistic elements, and
this struggle is the source of all physical processes. The positive
ponderable matter, the element with the feeling of like or desire,
is continually striving to complete the process of condensation,
and thus collecting an enormous amount of potential energy; the
negative, imponderable matter, on the other hand, offers a perpetual
and equal resistance to the further increase of its strain and
of the feeling of dislike connected therewith, and thus gathers
the utmost amount of actual energy." p. 178
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