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It would be interesting to understand how the word 'force' came to be applied to what we now commonly understand the term to mean. I would risk a guess that there was a time during which the meaning of the word was used (in the scientific literature) in various ways - something akin to the term "closed system" that is used in subtely distinct ways even today.
People very often use the word force to mean something - anything - that compels something else into action - even when the origin of the force is understood (or at least implied) to be something mysterious and supernatural. This is sometimes done because it's easier to convey something as a metaphor than to create a new vocabulary. It also has the benefit of making even the most silly ideas seem scientific, modern, and facund with esoteric understanding and profound insight for one who is sufficiently openminded, intelligent, and spiritually advanced.
Often, the word 'energy' is used synonymously, or nearly so, in this context. In physics, as you well know, energy and force are distinct concepts.
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Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted Newton Jazzoctopus 04/08/02 01:23 AM Re: Newton Jackie 04/08/02 01:34 AM . Max Quordlepleen 04/08/02 01:36 AM Re: Newton Faldage 04/08/02 01:17 PM Re: Newton Wordwind 04/08/02 01:24 PM Re: Newton Faldage 04/08/02 01:31 PM Re: Newton wwh 04/08/02 01:38 PM Re: Newton & God, breaking laws wow 04/08/02 04:16 PM Re: Newton & God, breaking laws Faldage 04/08/02 05:05 PM Re: Newton & God, breaking laws Capital Kiwi 04/08/02 08:05 PM Re: Newton & God, breaking laws wwh 04/08/02 09:23 PM Re: Newton & God, breaking laws milum 04/08/02 10:19 PM Re: Newton & God, breaking laws wwh 04/08/02 10:52 PM Re: Newton AnnaStrophic 04/08/02 02:49 PM Re: Newton wwh 04/08/02 03:00 PM Re: Newton Faldage 04/08/02 03:19 PM Re: Newton wwh 04/08/02 03:35 PM Re: Newton Faldage 04/08/02 03:39 PM Re: Newton Keiva 04/08/02 03:26 PM Re: Newton TheFallibleFiend 04/08/02 03:55 PM Re: Newton Keiva 04/08/02 11:03 PM Re: Newton Wordwind 04/10/02 12:26 PM Re: Newton wwh 04/10/02 03:40 PM Re: Newton Wordwind 04/10/02 04:23 PM God said ... TEd Remington 04/11/02 03:11 PM . Max Quordlepleen 04/08/02 09:10 PM Re: Newton TheFallibleFiend 04/08/02 01:37 PM
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