290 ROMAN A. KOCOUREK 



such definitions used in modern science are invalid. Quite the 

 contrary, they are indispensable if we are to have modern 

 scientific research. Any attempt to require the modern mathe- 

 matical physicist to use the idea of motion as actus entis 

 in 'potentia inquantum huiusmodi would be ridiculous. It is 

 equally ridiculous to expect that a philosopher can use the 

 scientist's motionless motion and arrive at a world view which 

 would satisfy the highest aspirations in man's nature. In fact, 

 if the expectation would in any way be taken seriously the 

 result could be catastrophic. 



In the Whidden Lectures at McMaster University in 1959 '^ 

 Dr. Charles De Koninck showed very clearly that speculation 

 based on the definitions of modern mathematical physics does 

 not lead us to a knowledge of " Nature and Nature's laws." 

 Quite the contrary, we shall have a " hollow universe " devoid 

 of Nature and intellect. At first glance this seems opposed 

 to what was said earlier about the study of Nature being a 

 necessary introduction to first philosophy. This is certainly 

 knowledge about nature that the modern scientist is looking for. 

 Many modern scientists are not even interested in the practical 

 applications of their theories. Their aim is " pure " research 

 into the laws of Nature. The use of mathematics in this 

 endeavor would apparently even receive the sanction of Aris- 

 totle who himself used mathematics in his more particular 

 analysis of natural phenomena. Thus, to speak of this specu- 

 lation as producing a " hollow universe " would seem to be 

 exaggerating differences which are only minor. That this is 

 not the case can be seen by examining more closely the object 

 and method of the modern scientist. 



In the idea of motion given by Cassirer at the beginning, 

 there is the term " place " and " change of place." It is a term 

 which the modern scientist or philosopher seldom uses. Instead 

 they often use the term " space " which does not mean the same 

 thing at all. For Aristotle place is the innermost motionless 



'' Published as The Hollow Universe (Oxford University Press, 1960). 



