Phenomenon

Phenomenon
A phenomenon (Greek: o, phainomenon, from the verb , phainein, "to show, shine, appear, to be manifest (or manifest itself)"), plural phenomena, is any observable occurrence.[1] Phenomena are often, but not always, understood as 'appearances' or 'experiences'. These are themselves sometimes understood as involving qualia. The term came into its modern philosophical usage through Immanuel Kant, who contrasted it with the noumenon (for which he used the term Ding an sich, or "thing-in-itself"). In contrast to a phenomenon, a noumenon is not directly accessible to observation. Kant was heavily influenced by Leibniz in this part of his philosophy, in which phenomenon and noumenon serve as interrelated technical terms.

Modern philosophical usage

In modern philosophical use, the term 'phenomena' has come to mean what is experienced as given. In Immanuel Kant's Inaugural Dissertation, On the Form and Principles of the Sensible and Intelligible World (1770), Kant theorizes that the human mind is restricted to the logical world and thus can only interpret and understand occurrences according to their physical appearances. He wrote that humans could infer only as much as their senses allowed, but not experience the actual object itself. Thus, the term phenomenon refers to any incident deserving of inquiry and investigation, especially events that are particularly unusual or of distinctive importance. According to The Columbia Encyclopedia, "Modern philosophers have used 'phenomenon' to designate what is apprehended before judgment is applied."

Cloud chamber phenomena. Scientists use phenomena to refine some hypotheses and sometimes to disprove a theory. See also Animated Version.

Scientific phenomena
In scientific usage, a phenomenon is any event that is observable, however common it might be, even if it requires the use of instrumentation to observe, record, or compile data concerning it. For example, in physics, a phenomenon may be a feature of matter, energy, or spacetime, such as Isaac Newton's observations of the moon's orbit and of gravity, or Galileo Galilei's observations of the motion of a pendulum.[2] Another example of scientific phenomena can be found in the experience of phantom limb sensations. This occurrence, the sensation of feeling in amputated limbs, is reported by over 70% of amputees. Although the limb is no longer present, they report still experiencing sensations. This is an extraordinary event that defies typical logic and has been a source of much curiosity within the medical and physiological fields.[3]

A comparison between a candle flame on Earth (left) and in a microgravity environment, such as that found on the ISS (right). The same phenomenon is observed as appearing differently.

Phenomenon

Mechanical phenomena
A mechanical phenomenon is a physical phenomenon associated with the equilibrium or motion of objects.

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

Popular phenomena

The combustion of a match is an

observable occurrence, or event, In popular usage, a phenomenon often refers to an extraordinary event. The term is and therefore a phenomenon. most commonly used to refer to occurrences that at first defy explanation or baffle the observer. According to the Dictionary of Visual Discourse, "In ordinary language 'phenomenon/ phenomena' refer to any occurrence worthy of note and investigation, typically an untoward or unusual event, person or fact that is of special significance or otherwise notable."

Group and social phenomena

Group phenomena concern the behavior of a particular group of individual entities, usually organisms and most especially people. The behavior of individuals often changes in a group setting in various ways, and a group may have its own behaviors not possible for an individual because of the herd mentality. Social phenomena apply especially to organisms and people in that subjective states are implicit in the term. Attitudes and events particular to a group may have effects beyond the group, and either be adapted by the larger society, or seen as aberrant, being punished or shunned.

References
[1] New Oxford American Dictionary (2nd ed.) [2] Jeremy Bernstein, A Theory for Everything, Copernicus, An imprint of Springer-Verlag, New York, 1996, hardback, ISBN 0-387-94700-0 [3] Montoyaa, Pedro, , Wolfgang Larbiga, Norbert Grulkea, Herta Florb, Edward Taubc, and Niels Birbaumera. "The Relationship of Phantom Limb Pain to Other Phantom Limb Phenomena in Upper Extremity Amputees." Pain 72 (1997): 87-93. ScienceDirect.com. ScieVerse. Web.

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

Phenomenon Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=573056596 Contributors: *drew, 3dit g0d, 4twenty42o, Abhishekitmbm, Adimovk5, Aitias, Akhil999in, Alan Liefting, Alansohn, Alaymehta, Albuseer, Aleksd, Am088, Amitvishwakarm, Andy M. Wang, ArielGold, Arthur Rubin, Atlant, Banno, Beast of traal, Begewe, Bento00, Bettygreen, Bgwhite, Bobo192, Bookinvestor, Boud, Brooker, Bsadowski1, Bsw2645, C'est moi, CIreland, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, Chrono1084, Ckatz, Cmichael, Cometstyles, ContinueWithCaution, CopperKettle, Cosmic Latte, Cracked acorns, Cremepuff222, Crnica, Cybercobra, Darklionface, Dave Karwowski, Davidovic, Dawn Bard, Deamon138, Der Zeitgeist, DerHexer, Derek Ross, Dgw, Discospinster, Dorftrottel, DragonflySixtyseven, EagerToddler39, Editor2020, El C, Esprit15d, EvilStorm, Exceedingly Rare, Explicit, Fieldafar, Frank Renner, Franois Renner, Fred Bauder, Fredbauder, FrozenUmbrella, FruitMonkey, Funandtrvl, Fyrael, Gachet, Gadfium, Gail, Galoubet, Geniac, Giftlite, Gilbo66, Glenn, Goethean, Gogo Dodo, Golbez, GreatWhiteNortherner, Gregbard, GregorB, Guat6, Hallenrm, Hans Dunkelberg, Hhaarty, HumanNaturOriginal, Hveziris, Imsuth, Instinct, Iridescent, J.delanoy, J04n, JWSchmidt, JaGa, Jackol, Jeffrey Mall, JohnOwens, Jon Awbrey, Jschnur, K, Kalki, Karol Langner, Kbh3rd, Khaidottk, Kingturtle, Kirils, Klenod, Kokoriko, LadiesLoveCoolJames, Lantonov, Laocoon12, Lapaz, Larry Sanger, Lee Daniel Crocker, Lestrade, Little green rosetta, Longhair, Lotje, LoveMonkey, Lupo, MCB, MGTom, Macedonian, Magioladitis, MagneticFlux, Majorly, Marc Girod, Martynas Patasius, Materialscientist, Maurice Carbonaro, Maverick Leonhart, Mereien, Mermaid from the Baltic Sea, Merphant, MiNombreDeGuerra, Michael Hardy, MicheleSTR, Mladifilozof, Mormegil, Mr.weedle, Mysdaao, N5iln, Nadsozinc, Nanobug, Nicholas Tan, Nihiltres, Ntavares, Odijr619, OlEnglish, Omnipaedista, Omphaloscope, Optim, OverlordQ, P clair, Paine Ellsworth, Patrick, Patrick0Moran, Peterdjones, Pgan002, PhilKnight, Phr0gor, Pinethicket, Pit, Poor Yorick, Privatemusings, R'n'B, RJHall, Reddi, Renamed user 4, Rich Farmbrough, Richard001, Rmsand, Ronhjones, RoyBoy, Rpyle731, Ryan4314, SFC9394, Saehry, Santa Sangre, Sdorrance, Sean0987, Seb az86556, Secfan, Shadowjams, Shaggorama, ShaunMacPherson, SimonEast, Skarebo, Skizzik, Sky Attacker, Sleuthseeker, Snow Blizzard, Srinivas, Sseedaf, Stijn Vermeeren, SummerWithMorons, Sundar, T3hZ10n, TUF-KAT, Tempodivalse, The Evil IP address, TheLastWordSword, TheRedPenOfDoom, Thomas Ash, Tide rolls, Tomisti, Trovatore, Truebluexxx, Twang, Twdldee, UkPaolo, Uncle Dick, Uncle G, Unigfjkl, Verne Equinox, Waggers, Wersheat, Whereizben, WikHead, WikiPuppies, With goodness in mind, Wombat1138, Wtmitchell, Xndrmldr, Zscout370, Zzuuzz, Zzzzz, ., 2010, , 362 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Image:Cloud chamber bionerd.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Cloud_chamber_bionerd.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Own work Image:Space Fire.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Space_Fire.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: NASA Image:Streichholz.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Streichholz.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5 Contributors: Sebastian Ritter (Rise0011)

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