Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy

"Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy" by John F. W. Herschel is a book that introduces the study of science in the 1800s, focusing on how observation, experiments, and theories all work together. Herschel explores how scientific questioning helps us understand the world, explaining that humans are special because we can reason and think deeply, unlike animals that just act on instinct. He believes that learning about nature makes us better and should be seen as something that goes hand-in-hand with religion, encouraging curiosity and respect for how the universe works. The book aims to show that studying science is a worthy and valuable pursuit.