← On the Method of Zadig: Essay #1 from "Science and Hebrew Tradition"

On the Method of Zadig: Essay #1 from "Science and Hebrew Tradition" — Page 13

English → Pt Full Text Level 8/10

All that can be said is, that the prospective prophecies of the astronomer are always verified; and that, inasmuch as his retrospective prophecies are the result of following backwards, the very same method as that which invariably leads to verified results, when it is worked forwards, there is as much reason for placing full confidence in the one as in the other.

Tudo o que se pode dizer é que as profecias prospectivas do astrônomo são sempre verificadas; e que, na medida em que as suas profecias retrospectivas são o resultado de seguir ao contrário o mesmo método que invariavelmente conduz a resultados verificados, quando aplicado para frente, há tanta razão para depositar plena confiança em umas como nas outras.

Retrospective prophecy is therefore a legitimate function of astronomical science; and if it is legitimate for one science it is legitimate for all; the fundamental axiom on which it rests, the constancy of the order of nature, being the common foundation of all scientific thought.

A profecia retrospectiva é, portanto, uma função legítima da ciência astronômica; e se é legítima para uma ciência, é legítima para todas; o axioma fundamental em que se baseia, a constância da ordem da natureza, sendo o alicerce comum de todo o pensamento científico.

Indeed, if there can be grades in legitimacy, certain branches of science have the advantage over astronomy, in so far as their retrospective prophecies are not only susceptible of verification, but are sometimes strikingly verified.

Com efeito, se pode haver graus de legitimidade, certos ramos da ciência levam vantagem sobre a astronomia, na medida em que as suas profecias retrospectivas não são apenas suscetíveis de verificação, mas são por vezes verificadas de forma surpreendente.

Such a science exists in that application of the principles of biology to the interpretation of the animal and vegetable remains imbedded in the rocks which compose the surface of the globe, which is called Palaeontology.

Tal ciência existe naquela aplicação dos princípios da biologia à interpretação dos restos animais e vegetais incrustados nas rochas que compõem a superfície do globo, a qual é chamada de Paleontologia.

At no very distant time, the question whether these so-called "fossils," were really the remains of animals and plants was hotly disputed.

Não há muito tempo, a questão de saber se esses chamados "fósseis" eram realmente restos de animais e plantas era acaloradamente disputada.

Very learned persons maintained that they were nothing of the kind, but a sort of concretion, or crystallisation, which had taken place within the stone in which they are found; and which simulated the forms of animal and vegetable life, just as frost on a window-pane imitates vegetation.

Pessoas muito eruditas sustentavam que não eram nada disso, mas uma espécie de concreção, ou cristalização, que havia ocorrido dentro da pedra em que são encontrados; e que simulava as formas de vida animal e vegetal, tal como o gelo numa vidraça imita a vegetação.

Vocabulary

Tudo
Everything; all things or matters.
que
That; which; what (relative pronoun).
se
Oneself; reflexive pronoun; conditional marker.
pode
Can; is able to; may (present tense).
dizer
To say; to tell; to speak or express.
as
The (feminine plural article); them (feminine).
prospectivas
Prospects; forward-looking views or expectations.
do
Of the; from the (contraction).
astrônomo
Astronomer; scientist who studies celestial objects.
são
Are; third person plural of ser.
sempre
Always; at all times; forever or constantly.
verificadas
Verified; checked; confirmed as accurate or true.
na
In the; on the (feminine singular).
medida
Measure; extent; degree or proportion.
em
In; on; at (preposition indicating location/time).
suas
Its; his; her; your (possessive pronoun).
retrospectivas
Retrospectives; backward-looking views or reviews.
resultado
Result; outcome; consequence of action.
de
Of; from; about (preposition).
seguir
To follow; to continue; to pursue.
ao
To the; at the (contraction).
contrário
Opposite; contrary; against (adjective/noun).
mesmo
Same; self; even or identical.
método
Method; approach; systematic procedure or way.
invariavelmente
Invariably; always; without exception or change.
conduz
Leads; conducts; brings about or results.
resultados
Results; outcomes; consequences of actions.
verificados
Verified; confirmed; proven or checked.
quando
When; at the time that.
aplicado
Applied; used; put into practice.
para
For; to; in order to (preposition).
frente
Front; forward; ahead in direction.
há
There is; there are; ago (time).
tanta
So much; such quantity (feminine).
razão
Reason; cause; rationale or logic.
depositar
To deposit; to place; to entrust.
plena
Full; complete; entire (feminine adjective).
confiança
Confidence; trust; belief or reliance.
umas
Some; a few (feminine plural).
como
As; like; how (comparison/question).
nas
In the; on the (feminine plural).
outras
Others; other ones (feminine plural).
retrospectiva
Retrospective; backward-looking view or review.
portanto
Therefore; thus; consequently or so.
uma
A; an (feminine indefinite article).
função
Function; role; purpose or use.
legítima
Legitimate; lawful; valid or proper.
ciência
Science; knowledge; systematic study of nature.
astronômica
Astronomical; relating to astronomy or stars.
todas
All; every one (feminine plural).
fundamental
Fundamental; basic; essential or primary.
baseia
Is based; rests upon; founded.
ordem
Order; arrangement; sequence or command.
natureza
Nature; natural world; essence or character.
sendo
Being; present participle of ser.
comum
Common; shared; ordinary or usual.
todo
All; every; whole or entire.
pensamento
Thought; thinking; idea or opinion.
científico
Scientific; relating to science or method.
Com
With; accompanied by (preposition).
efeito
Effect; result; consequence or outcome.
haver
To have; to exist; auxiliary verb.
graus
Degrees; levels; extent or measure.
certos
Certain; sure; some (masculine plural).
ramos
Branches; fields; divisions or subdivisions.
levam
Take; carry; lead (third person plural).
vantagem
Advantage; benefit; superiority or edge.
sobre
On; over; about (preposition).
astronomia
Astronomy; scientific study of celestial objects.
não
Not; no (negation particle).
apenas
Only; just; merely or simply.
suscetíveis
Susceptible; capable of; prone to.
verificação
Verification; confirmation; checking or proof.
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