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Full Idea
Energy is a substance, since its total amount does not change. ...Energy can be changed into motion, into heat, into light and into tension. Energy may be called the fundamental cause for all change in the world.
Gist of Idea
Energy is an unchanging substance, having many forms, and causing all change
Source
Werner Heisenberg (Physics and Philosophy [1958], 04)
Book Ref
Heisenberg,Werner: 'Physics and Philosophy' [Penguin 1989], p.51
A Reaction
Grandiose stuff. I remain unconvinced that Heisenberg (clever fellow, I'm told) has any idea of what he is talking about.
Related Idea
Idea 15265 'Energy' is a quasi-substance invented as the bearer of change during interactions [Harré/Madden]
| 20646 | Helmholtz used 'energy' to mathematically link heat, light, electricity and magnetism [Helmholtz, by Watson] |
| 20644 | Energy has progressed from a mere formula, to a principle pervading all nature [Kelvin] |
| 17540 | Energy is that which moves, and is the substance from which everything is made [Heisenberg] |
| 17541 | Energy is an unchanging substance, having many forms, and causing all change [Heisenberg] |
| 12674 | Energy is the key multi-valued property, vital to scientific realism [Ellis] |
| 15265 | 'Energy' is a quasi-substance invented as the bearer of change during interactions [Harré/Madden] |
| 15280 | 'Kinetic energy' is used to explain the effects of moving things when they are stopped [Harré/Madden] |
| 24162 | Planck introduced the idea that energy can be quantized [Baggott] |
| 21183 | Thermodynamics introduced work and entropy, to understand steam engine efficiency [Hesketh] |