that philosophy which proceeds on experiments, which deduces the laws of nature, and the properties and powers of bodies, and their actions upon each other, from sensible experiments and observations. The business of experimental philosophy is to inquire into, and to investigate the reasons and causes of, the various appearances and phenomena of nature; and to make the truth or probability thereof obvious and evident to the senses, by plain, undeniable, and adequate experiments, representing the several parts of the grand machinery and agency of nature. See MECHANICS, HYDROSTATICS, OPTICS, and the other branches of NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.