Category:Physics

Physics and chemistry have as their precursor natural philosophy of which they are effectively its principle branches. Natural philosophy is the analysis, as opposed to the description, of nature, whereas natural history is the description, as opposed to the analysis, of nature. The reflection entailed in natural philosophy and natural history begins in Iron age cultures. Natural philosophy significantly commits itself to the theory of four elements: air, earth, fire and wind. This commitment parallels and indeed mirrors that of the spellcasting traditions to the theory of the elemental planes. Nonetheless, natural philosophy does not take its lead from spellcasting tradition and in particular refrains from offering gods as causes. Physics only begins to emerge in its own right, as a science in and of itself, within Renaissance Age cultures.