Category:Physics

Physics and chemistry have as their precursor natural philosophy of which they are effectively its principle branches. Natural philosophy is the analysis, as opposed to the description, of nature, whereas natural history is the description, as opposed to the analysis, of nature.

The reflection entailed in natural philosophy and natural history begins in Iron age cultures. Natural philosophy significantly commits itself to the theory of four elements: air, earth, fire and wind. This commitment parallels and indeed mirrors that of the spellcasting traditions to the theory of the elemental planes. Nonetheless, natural philosophy does not take its lead from spellcasting tradition and in particular refrains from offering gods as causes.

The results of research in different branches of natural philosophy are not shut up within these branches. Discoveries in one branch of natural philosophy have consequences for research in other branches of natural philosophy. A natural philosopher inclined towards physics is able to readily understand the research a natural philosopher inclined towards chemistry. Likewise a natural philosopher inclined towards physics is able to readily communicate the research results to a natural philosopher inclined towards chemistry. Physics, over and against natural philosophy and separate from chemistry, only begins to emerge in its own right, as a science in and of itself, within Renaissance Age cultures.