________________
ATOM IN MODERN SCIENCE 7 goal of philosophy is their interpretation The difference of aim is however not ultimate
Physical science draws a marked distinction between the sensible things ie objects which are perceived by senses, and consciousness And this division of existence of two orders strongly dominates our thought about the universe The following points are generally agreed upon as the distinguishing marks between the two orders
A) Physical existence is purely material and is devoid of consciousness, whereas psychical order possesses consciousness
B) Physical order is made up of events which conform rigidly to certain universal laws The elements of which it is composed always behave in the same surroundings in the same uniform way Whereas, the sequence of events in psychical order is telelogical (i e determined by reference to an end or purpose) that of the physical order is mechanical (1 e determined by the principle of causality)
C) Every element of physical order fills a position in space and time and is therefore perceptible whereas consciousness is impercepuble by the senses
Thus we may say that the physical order comprises all sensible existence (1 e existence of the same kind as that perceived by the senses, whether actually so perceived or not) as an aggregate of events in time and space, linked together by the principle of causality and exhibiting conformity with the general law From this general characteristics of the physical order anse the fundamental problems of cosmology viz, the real nature of material existence and the ultimate significance of the distinction between the two orders
