Found 1 items, similar to Mechanical philosophy.
English → English (gcide) Definition: Mechanical philosophy Mechanical \Me*chan"ic*al\, a. [From Mechanic, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the quantitative relations of force and matter on a macroscopic scale, as distinguished from mental, vital, chemical, electrical, electronic, atomic etc.; as, mechanical principles; a mechanical theory; especially, using only the interactions of solid parts against each other; as mechanical brakes, in contrast to hydraulic brakes. [1913 Webster +PJC] 2. Of or pertaining to a machine or to machinery or tools; made or formed by a machine or with tools; as, mechanical precision; mechanical products. [1913 Webster] We have also divers mechanical arts. --Bacon. [1913 Webster] 3. Done as if by a machine; uninfluenced by will or emotion; proceeding automatically, or by habit, without special intention or reflection; as, mechanical singing; mechanical verses; mechanical service. [1913 Webster] 4. Made and operated by interaction of forces without a directing intelligence; as, a mechanical universe. [1913 Webster] 5. Obtained by trial, by measurements, etc.; approximate; empirical. See the 2d Note under Geometric. [1913 Webster] Mechanical effect, effective power; useful work exerted, as by a machine, in a definite time. Mechanical engineering. See the Note under Engineering. Mechanical maneuvers (Mil.), the application of mechanical appliances to the mounting, dismounting, and moving of artillery. --Farrow. Mechanical philosophy, the principles of mechanics applied to the investigation of physical phenomena. Mechanical powers, certain simple instruments, such as the lever and its modifications (the wheel and axle and the pulley), the inclined plane with its modifications (the screw and the wedge), which convert a small force acting through a great space into a great force acting through a small space, or vice versa, and are used separately or in combination. Mechanical solution (Math.), a solution of a problem by any art or contrivance not strictly geometrical, as by means of the ruler and compasses, or other instruments. [1913 Webster]