MIND
A QUARTERLY REVIEW
OF
PSYCHOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY
I.—SPACE AND TIME: AN ESSAY IN THE FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICS (I).
By Jaroslav Císař.
Prefatory Note.[note 1]
Mr. Císař’s thesis for his doctorate at the University of Prague is written in the Czech language. He submitted to me the first draft of a free translation to obtain my opinion as to whether the line of thought, at which he had arrived independently, was sufficiently distinct from that which he had subsequently discovered in my Concept of Nature, to warrant its publication in English. I am decidedly of opinion that this is the case: in many respects our views are divergent, and where they agree Mr. Císař has emphasised considerations different from those on which I have founded my own arguments. But, apart from the minor consideration of its relation to my own work, the essay contains novel ideas which ought to be taken account of.
1st August, 1923.
- ↑ Note by the author: The present essay is a somewhat condensed version of a work which I recently presented as thesis for my doctorate of Natural Science at the University of Prague. When I put on paper the substance of it two years ago, and came across Professor Whitehead’s admirable book, I was in serious doubt whether I was not merely retracing a path which the author of the Enquiry and Concept of Nature had traversed in a much better way; but Professor Whitehead himself dispelled my doubts and encouraged me to pursue my line of thought. I cannot sufficiently acknowledge my deep gratitude and heavy indebtedness to him for the kind interest he has taken in my work, for the inspiration which I derived from my discussions with him, and for the encouragement he has so generously given me; without which this essay would have never been finished.
Jaroslav Císař.
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