However...

However, the most basic criticism, that can be levied against this assumption (internal contradiction being considered as the cause for movement, supposedly compensating for the flaw in mechanical materialism), is that there is no intellectual argument to support it. In addition to this there is no denial in accepting the existence of a mechanical movement due to external force acting upon it.

Unless of course, it can be accepted that the movement of a football is an effect of its internal contradictions and not an effect of the contact of the foot of a football player! b. The principle of the quantum leap By focusing upon the transformations in the universe, we realise that not all these transformations are gradual or step-by-step.

In several instances a subsequent phenomenon may appear, but is dissimilar to the former phenomenon, and therefore cannot be counted as a result or outcome of a former movement and transmission. The materialists have interpreted another principle for this process known as the quantum leap or conversion of quantity to quality. They explain that the conversion of quantity occurs when it reaches a special point and causes the appearance of quality.

For example, when water increases in temperature to a degree whereby it changes into a vapoury state, and when metal changes its form and state from a solid to a liquid when it is heated to a certain level. Also an example can be that when conflicts in a society reach a certain level, they can cause a revolution. Criticisms of the principle of the quantum leap Firstly, a quantity could never be converted into a quality.

At most, it is possible that the appearance of a phenomenon could be conditional upon the existence of a specific quantity. For example, it is not the temperature level of water, which changes it into vapour, (which is another quality), but this change is conditional upon the existence of a certain temperature. Secondly, it is not necessary that this quantity is acquired as an effect of the gradual increase in the temperature of antecedent quantities.

However it is possible that it is acquired as an effect of the decrease of antecedent quantities. For example vapour changing into water, is conditional upon the decrease in temperature. Thirdly, the qualitative transformation (quality related) is not always sudden and impulsive, rather in many cases it occurs gradually, as the melting of glass and wax is gradual.