What is Phenomenon: Definition and 218 Discussions

A phenomenon (Greek: φαινόμενον, romanized: phainómenon, lit. 'thing appearing to view'; plural phenomena) is an observable fact or event. The term came into its modern philosophical usage through Immanuel Kant, who contrasted it with the noumenon, which cannot be directly observed. Kant was heavily influenced by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in this part of his philosophy, in which phenomenon and noumenon serve as interrelated technical terms. Far predating this, the ancient Greek Pyrrhonist philosopher Sextus Empiricus also used phenomenon and noumenon as interrelated technical terms.

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  1. D

    What is a Thread Killer? Exploring the Phenomenon

    Thread Killers? I did not want to post this in the "best all time thread killers" post cause I kinda felt that I would be interuppting. But could someone explain what a thread killer is?
  2. Ivan Seeking

    What Causes the Rocks to Slide on Death Valley's Racetrack Playa?

    http://geomaps.wr.usgs.gov/parks/deva/racetrack.pdf [link updated] 6/20/09 New Paper Claims Explanation https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=60676&page=5#90
  3. S

    Propagation of errors? (lab phenomenon question)

    propagation of errors? (lab "phenomenon" question) In our lab, we are measuring the acceleration due to gravity. We do this by dropping an object through a photogate, which records position vs. time data as the object falls. From this position vs. time data, the computer uses derivatives to...
  4. A

    Exploring the Controversial World of EVP: Fact or Fiction?

    There's a new horror movie coming out called "White Noise" (which actually does look kinda scary). Central to the story is Electronic Voice Phenomenon, where a tape or video recorder captures supposed voices or images from dead people. Being a skeptic, I find it hard to accept that EVP...
  5. D

    Noumenon: The antonym for phenomenon?

    Is it 'noumenon'? Is my understanding correct? Please feel free to delete this thread after it has been answered (if you feel it serves little purpose) :smile: .
  6. N

    Is global warming a natural phenomenon?

    is global warming a natural phenomenon? I think it is . But we can enhanced it such as we produce tonnes of carbon dioxide every day, causing the greehouse effect strengthen and finally lead to global warming .
  7. X

    Seeing Polarized Images: A Puzzling Phenomenon

    Hey guys, I was just wondering, why can some pictures be only seen through a polarizing film, or when illuminated by polarized light? I would really appreciate your answer. Thx, Xen0 :biggrin:
  8. S

    Strange Water Rocket Phenomenon - Why?

    Today when I was toying with a water rocket I came upon a strange phenomena. The setup was like this: I had a 625 mL coke bottle, filled half way with water. The cap had a nice hole in it, about 1.5 cm. I turned the bottle upside down, thinking that the water would just gush out, but low and...
  9. T

    Crop Circles: Astonishing Phenomenon or Mass Media Trickery?

    What you guys think of crop circles? The latest one are astonishing and I don't imagine people on the ground hoaxing them. Maybe we are being manipulated by mass media and those crop circles are produced using computers by Hollywood specialists? Earliest crop circles I admit were made by...
  10. zoobyshoe

    Mysteries of the Unexplained: Marker 239 Phenomenon

    This freaky story is in a book I have called Mysteries of the Unexplained. I found the following version on the web (nearly identical). It ties in with the dowsing threads, but unless it is a complete fabrication, I wonder what was causing all the car crashes: "Weird Phenomenon At Marker...
  11. Ivan Seeking

    Iran starstruck by UFO phenomenon

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3671271.stm
  12. P

    Uncovering Hidden Phenomenon Behind Earth's Climate Fluctuations

    I decided to write to you directly in front of the importance of my discovery. I hope that you will not hold rigour of it and of my tinted English of French Canadian accent.I believe that this discovery can bring answers that are missing to the models of the universe we have. During the last...
  13. I

    Is Thinking Alike a Neurological Phenomenon?

    I have noticed that when you keep in direct communication with a person, you have a tenedncy to think alike. What I mean is, you often think the same thing at the same time, and say the same thing at the same time. This phenomenon has been reoccuring for many years with someone very close to me...
  14. A

    Strange Phenomenon: Cracking Peanuts Releases Smoke

    Hi all, maybe this is not the proper forum to post this. Because it rather belongs into a section 'strange effects in everyday life', or whatever. Well. Yesterday I opened a bag of peanuts. The ones that have the closed shells which contain two nuts each. I found the best way to crack them...
  15. S

    How Do Magnetic Fields Influence Diamagnetic and Paramagnetic Materials?

    When a magnetic field is applied to a diamagnetic, the dipoles align opposite to the direction of the magnetic field. However, when a magnetic field is applied to a paramagnetic, the dipoles align to the same direction of the magnetic field. My professor mentioned in class that the...
  16. W

    Exploring the Egg-Water Phenomenon

    Hi,everyone Everyone of you must have done the following experiment while you prepare your breakfast. Put an egg (boiled or not) in a glass or brig then put the glass under a tab and release the water, you will notice that seconds later the egg will slowly arise to the top of the water...
  17. V

    Redshift Basics: What is the Redshift Phenomenon?

    Can anyone explain to me the red shift
  18. M

    New Jupiter Phenomenon: Have You Heard?

    Has anyone else heard about this? http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/12mar_darkspot.htm?list827141
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