100. Cosmology
See also 25. ASTRONOMY ; 318. PLANETS ; 387. SUN .
- cosmism
- a 19th-century theory about cosmic evolution, developed from contemporary science, that regards the cosmos as self-existent and self-acting. — cosmist , n .
- cosmogony
- 1. a theory about the origin and the evolution of the universe.
- 2. the branch of astrophysics that studies the origin and evolution of specific astronomical systems and the universe as a whole.
- 3. cosmology. — cosmogonist , n . — cosmogonic , adj .
- cosmography
- 1. the branch of astronomy that maps and describes the main features of the universe.
- 2. a description or representation of the main features of the universe. — cosmographer , n . — cosmographic , cosmographical, adj .
- cosmology
- 1. the branch of astronomy that studies the overall structure of the physical universe.
- 2. the branch of philosophy that studies the origin, structure, and evolution of the universe, especially such characteristics as space, time, causality, and freedom. — cosmologic, cosmological , adj . — cosmologist , n .
- cosmotheism
- the concept that the universe and God are identical; pantheism. — cosmotheist , n.
- cosmozoism
- the concept of the cosmos as alive.
- creationism
- the belief concerning the creation by a transcendant God of the universe, matter, and living organisms out of nothing. — creationist , n .
- geocentricism
- 1. the concept that the earth is the center of the universe.
- 2. Astronomy . the measurements or observations that are relative to the center of the earth. — geocentric , adj .
- heliocentricism
- 1. the concept that the sun is the center of the universe.
- 2. Astronomy . the measurements or observations that are relative to the center of the sun. Also heliocentricity. — heliocentric , adj .
- pancosmism
- the theory that the totality of existence comprises only the physical universe in time and space. — pancosmic , adj .
- Pansatanism
- a Gnostic theory that considered Satan’s to be the controlling will of the universe.
- Spencerianism
- the philosophical theory of Herbert Spencer that cosmic evolution is cyclic, controlled by mechanical forces which tend toward equilibrium and relative complexity until a peak is reached, after which dissolution occurs, the universe reverts to a simple state, and the cycle begins again. — Spencerian , n., adj .
- teleologism
- the belief that purpose and design control the development of the universe and are apparent through natural phenomena. — teleologist , n. — teleology , n .
- universology
- the science of the universe. — universologist , n.
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