The reason why

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

47748

Title

The reason why

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A condensed scientific encyclopedia for the general reader, "The Reason Why" explains the natural laws governing air, animals, chemistry, and meteorology. Written in an accessible question-and-answer format, the book invites readers to understand the "Reason Why" behind common phenomena, fostering intellectual growth and a deeper appreciation of nature's divine order.

Summary up to 500 words

Robert Kemp Philp's *The Reason Why* stands as a comprehensive guide to the philosophy of nature, systematically addressing hundreds of questions regarding the physical world. Titled *A Careful Collection of Many Hundreds of Reasons for Things Which, Though Generally Believed, Are Imperfectly Understood*, the work serves as a condensed scientific knowledge base intended for the general public. Philp argues that knowledge is a treasure that dignifies the mind, gladdens the heart, and ennobles the soul. He posits that understanding the immutable order of nature harmonizes the human spirit with divine law, fortifying the individual against temptation and moral decay. The text emphasizes that while knowledge does not guarantee a good moral nature on its own, it provides the necessary foundation for religion and morals to flourish. Philp advocates for slow, demonstrative inquiry over speculative theory, citing Sir Isaac Newton as the preeminent model of scientific rigor. He illustrates this by noting that Newton made more revelations because he avoided leaping to conclusions or snatching at unproven dogmas, instead reading Nature's "utterances" through careful observation of even the smallest details. The book interprets nature as a grand poem where atoms are letters, blades of grass are words, and phenomena are sentences. The content explores a vast array of subjects including the composition of air, the mechanics of barometers, acoustics, electricity, and zoology. Through detailed explanations of biological structures, the author transforms the reader from a passive observer into an intelligent student of creation. For instance, the text explains why birds possess hollow bones to facilitate flight without sacrificing strength, why elephants have trunks to substitute for a heavy neck, and why aquatic birds have webbed feet to act as water-wings. It further details the specific adaptations of animals, such as the spoon-bill's unique filtering mechanism, the woodpecker's long tongue for extracting insects, and the camel's multi-chambered stomach for water storage. Ultimately, *The Reason Why* aims to interpret the voices of nature, from the murmuring brook to the pealing thunder, bringing joy and hope to the reader. By understanding the reasons behind common phenomena, the work seeks to elevate the soul and strengthen the judgment, ensuring that the fragment of human understanding aligns with the mass of divine creation.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg47748.epub

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2026-07-08 07:04 UTC

Categories

• Science