Physis
Encyclopedia
Physis is a Greek theological
, philosophical
, and scientific
term usually translated into English as "nature
."
In The Odyssey, Homer
uses the word once (its earliest known occurrence), referring to the intrinsic way of growth of a particular species of plant. In the pre-Socratic philosophers it developed a complex of other meanings. The word physis occurs very early in Greek philosophy
, and in several senses; generally, these senses match rather well the current senses in which the English word nature is used. The etymology
of the word "physical
" shows its use as a synonym for "natural" in about the mid-15th century. Since Aristotle
, the physical (the subject matter of physics
, properly "natural things") has often been contrasted with metaphysical (the subject of metaphysics
).
"Physis" was understood by Thoreau as coming from darkness into light, biologically, cosmically, cognitively (Walden Pond, 'Spring').
In medicine the element -physis occurs in such compounds as symphysis
, epiphysis
, and a few others, in the sense of a growing. The physis also refers to the "growth plate
," or site of growth at the end of long bones.
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, philosophical
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, and scientific
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
term usually translated into English as "nature
Nature
Nature, in the broadest sense, is equivalent to the natural world, physical world, or material world. "Nature" refers to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general...
."
In The Odyssey, Homer
Homer
In the Western classical tradition Homer , is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, and is revered as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. These epics lie at the beginning of the Western canon of literature, and have had an enormous influence on the history of literature.When he lived is...
uses the word once (its earliest known occurrence), referring to the intrinsic way of growth of a particular species of plant. In the pre-Socratic philosophers it developed a complex of other meanings. The word physis occurs very early in Greek philosophy
Greek philosophy
Ancient Greek philosophy arose in the 6th century BCE and continued through the Hellenistic period, at which point Ancient Greece was incorporated in the Roman Empire...
, and in several senses; generally, these senses match rather well the current senses in which the English word nature is used. The etymology
Etymology
Etymology is the study of the history of words, their origins, and how their form and meaning have changed over time.For languages with a long written history, etymologists make use of texts in these languages and texts about the languages to gather knowledge about how words were used during...
of the word "physical
Human body
The human body is the entire structure of a human organism, and consists of a head, neck, torso, two arms and two legs.By the time the human reaches adulthood, the body consists of close to 100 trillion cells, the basic unit of life...
" shows its use as a synonym for "natural" in about the mid-15th century. Since Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
, the physical (the subject matter of physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
, properly "natural things") has often been contrasted with metaphysical (the subject of metaphysics
Metaphysics
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
).
"Physis" was understood by Thoreau as coming from darkness into light, biologically, cosmically, cognitively (Walden Pond, 'Spring').
In medicine the element -physis occurs in such compounds as symphysis
Symphysis
A symphysis is a fibrocartilaginous fusion between two bones. It is a type of cartilaginous joint, specifically a secondary cartilaginous joint.1.A symphysis is an amphiarthrosis, a slightly movable joint.2.A growing together of parts or structures...
, epiphysis
Epiphysis
The epiphysis is the rounded end of a long bone, at its joint with adjacent bone. Between the epiphysis and diaphysis lies the metaphysis, including the epiphyseal plate...
, and a few others, in the sense of a growing. The physis also refers to the "growth plate
Epiphyseal plate
The epiphyseal plate is a hyaline cartilage plate in the metaphysis at each end of a long bone...
," or site of growth at the end of long bones.
See also
- NatureNatureNature, in the broadest sense, is equivalent to the natural world, physical world, or material world. "Nature" refers to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general...
- Nature (philosophy)Nature (philosophy)Nature is a concept with two major sets of inter-related meanings, referring on the one hand to the things which are natural, or subject to the normal working of "laws of nature", or on the other hand to the essential properties and causes of those things to be what they naturally are, or in other...
- PhysicsPhysicsPhysics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
- Philosophy of physicsPhilosophy of physicsIn philosophy, the philosophy of physics studies the fundamental philosophical questions underlying modern physics, the study of matter and energy and how they interact. The philosophy of physics begins by reflecting on the basic metaphysical and epistemological questions posed by physics:...
- OntologyOntologyOntology is the philosophical study of the nature of being, existence or reality as such, as well as the basic categories of being and their relations...