Physical Phenomena
A phenomenon (Greek: φαινόμενoν, from the Greek word 'phainomenon', from the verb 'phanein', to show, shine, appear, to be manifest (or manifest itself)), plural phenomena, is any observable occurrence. Phenomena are often, but not always, understood as 'appearances' or 'experiences'. These are themselves sometimes understood as involving qualia.
The term came into its modern philosophical usage through Immanuel Kant, who contrasted it with the noumenon (for which he used the term Ding an sich, or "thing-in-itself"). In contrast to a phenomenon, a noumenon is not directly accessible to observation. Kant was heavily influenced by Leibniz in this part of his philosophy, in which phenomenon and noumenon serve as interrelated technical terms.
Read more about Physical Phenomena: Modern Philosophical Usage, Scientific Phenomena, Mechanical Phenomena, Gem Phenomena, Popular Phenomena, Group and Social Phenomena, See Also, References
Famous quotes containing the words physical and/or phenomena:
“Patience, that blending of moral courage with physical timidity.”
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