Phenomenon

Phenomenon

A phenomenon (from Greek "φαινόμενoν", pl. "φαινόμενα" - "phenomena") is any observable occurrence. [ New Oxford American Dictionary (2nd ed.) ] In popular usage, a phenomenon often refers to an extraordinary event. In physics, a phenomenon may be a feature of matter, energy, or spacetime. For example, Isaac Newton made observations of the phenomenon of the moon's orbit. Additionally, Galileo Galilei made observations of pendulum related phenomena. [ Jeremy Bernstein, A Theory for Everything, Copernicus, An imprint of Springer-Verlag, New York, 1996, hardback, ISBN 0-387-94700-0]

Use in gemmology

In gemmology a phenomenon is an unusual optical effect displayed by a gem. Play-of-color, labradorescence, iridescence, adularescence, chatoyancy, asterism, aventurescence, schiller and color change are all phenomena of this type.

Use in philosophy

In philosophy, the use of the word "phenomenon" differs from other uses in that it refers to perceived events. Phenomena may be perceived through a person's senses or with their mind.

The term came into its modern philosophical usage through Immanuel Kant, where it is contrasted with noumenon (for which Kant used the term "Ding an sich", or "thing-in-itself") or Absolute. Phenomenon and noumenon serve as interrelated technical terms in Kant's philosophy. Noumena, in contrast to phenomena, are not directly accessible to observation. Nowadays, "phenomena" are often, but not always, understood as 'appearances'. These are themselves sometimes understood as involving qualia.

ee also

*Phenomenology
*Physical system
*Observation
*Physicalism
*Noumenon
*Epiphenomenon

References


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Synonyms:
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  • Phenomenon — Студийный альбом Thousand Foot Krutch …   Википедия

  • Phenomenon — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Phenomenon puede referirse a: Phenomenon, álbum de Tony Ferrino, personaje del humorista británico Steve Coogan. Phenomenon, álbum de la banda británica UFO. Obtenido de Phenomenon Categoría: Wikipedia:Desambiguación …   Wikipedia Español

  • Phenomenon — Album par UFO Sortie Mai 1974 Enregistrement 1974 Morgan Studios, Londres Durée 39 min 25 s Genre Hard rock …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Phenomenon — Studioalbum von UFO Veröffentlichung Mai 1974 Label Chrysalis Records …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Phenomenon — Phenomenon, álbum lanzado en enero de 1997 por el artista Tony Ferrino, personaje creado por el comediante inglés Steve Coogan. Phenomenon salió al mercado a través de RCA. Phenomenon está integrado por 13 canciones y en él participa la cantante… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Phenomenon — Phe*nom e*non, n.; pl. {Phenomena}. [L. phaenomenon, Gr. faino menon, fr. fai nesqai to appear, fai nein to show. See {Phantom}.] 1. An appearance; anything visible; whatever, in matter or spirit, is apparent to, or is apprehended by,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • phenomenon — ► NOUN (pl. phenomena) 1) a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause is in question. 2) Philosophy the object of a person s perception. 3) a remarkable person or thing. USAGE The word phenomenon comes from …   English terms dictionary

  • phenomenon — [fə näm′ə nən, fə näm′ənän΄] n. pl. phenomena; also, esp. for PHENOMENON 3 and usually for 4, phenomenons [fə näm′ənə] [LL phaenomenon < Gr phainomenon, neut. prp. of phainesthai, to appear, akin to phainein: see FANTASY] 1. any event,… …   English World dictionary

  • phenomenon — I (manifestation) noun apparition, appearance, display, feature, figure, form, image, materialization, presence, realization, shape, show, sight, sign, spectacle, vision II (unusual occurrence) noun amazement, amazing thing, astonishing thing,… …   Law dictionary

  • phenomenon — (n.) 1570s, fact, occurrence, from L.L. phænomenon, from Gk. phainomenon that which appears or is seen, noun use of neuter prp. of phainesthai to appear, passive of phainein (see PHANTASM (Cf. phantasm)). Meaning extraordinary occurrence first… …   Etymology dictionary

  • phenomenon — *wonder, marvel, prodigy, miracle Analogous words: abnormality (see corresponding adjective at ABNORMAL): anomaly, *paradox: singularity, peculiarity, uniqueness (see corresponding adjectives at STRANGE) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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