Hinton - The Fourth Dimension.pdf

CHAPTER IX
APPLICATION TO KANT’S THEORY OF
EXPERIENCE
WHEN we observe the heavenly bodies we become aware
that they all participate in one universal motion—a
diurnal revolution about the polar axis.
In the case of fixed stars this is most unqualifiedly true,
but in the case of the sun, and the planets also, the single
motion of revolution can be discerned, modified, and
slightly altered by other and secondary motions.
Hence the universal characteristic of the celestial bodies
is that they move in a diurnal circle.
But we know that this one great fact which is true of
them all has in reality nothing to do with them. The
diurnal revolution which they visibly perform is the result
of the conditions of the observer. It is because the
observer is on a rotating earth that a universal statement
can be made about the celestial bodies.
The universal statement which is valid about every one
of the celestial bodies is that which does not concern
them at all, and is but a statement of the condition of
the observer.
Now there are universal statements of other kinds
which we can make. We can say that all objects of
experience are in space and subject to the laws of
geometry.
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