Saturday, September 22, 2012

Dynamics, Mechanics, Experience

According to Dynamics, Nature is constituted by Force Fields, of varying densities.  In contrast, according to Mechanics, Nature is constituted by discrete solid bodies, separated by nothingness.  Now, this distinction between Dynamics and Mechanics is not merely of interest to theoretical Physics--it is implicated in everyday experience, as well.  For, ordinary activity is often conceived mechanistically, e. g. as the motion of a solid body, from point A, through empty space, to point B.  However, Dynamics instructs about what is easily forgotten in that concept until, e. g. the wind picks up, or breathing at a high altitude becomes labored--that the human body is surrounded by, not nothingness, but at least one Force Field, that happens to be of lesser density than the body, and which the body penetrates en route to point B.  In this way, Dynamics presents a reminder of what is commonly abstracted from in everyday experience, without resorting to the potential mystification of Bergsonian 'Metaphysics', or of Heideggerian 'Fundamental Ontology'.

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