The Fire/Heat Concept in history

[Paul Ferguson]

'The notion of fire/light/heat/energy is recognized as an integrating element in the pathway of ordering matter and society, and its historical aspects are thoroughly reviewed. Fire is argued to be a philosophical archetype and its role in the early concept of four elements is discussed. The Indian,Arabic and Greek historical bases are mentioned. Alchemy is briefly reviewed as a source of the wider adoption of fire. The era of renaissance and the new age are also included. The message of fire/heat is nowadays focused on the progress of civilization, with the assumption of engines as in-formation transducers based on the conscious exploitation of fire. The role of chaos is emphasized.Overall, a condensed but consistent view is given of the various concepts that emerged during the historical progress of the understanding of heat (noting 61 references).'


https://www.academia.edu/60647391/The_fi...millennium