202 SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY OF THE ORGANISM 



is not regarded as something absolute, i.e. metaphysically 

 and science is possible without regarding the Given in this 

 way. But the Given in this sense, though existing with 

 respect to the Ego exclusively without further analysis, has 

 already been made a " conceptuin," and is no mere " per- 

 ceptum " ; it is not immediate, but " enlarged, ' givenness. 

 So much for the present on this important point, and on 

 our manner of using the term " phenomenological." Our 

 "phenomenalism" is identical with critical non-metaphysical 

 idealism ; in this form it is the only basis of science that 

 is quite free from prepossessions of any kind, and therefore 

 all science should start from this idealism, even if meta- 

 physics is to form its end. 



The " Constants " 



The question as to the logical or ontological nature of 

 any factor or agent in the realm of the Given, in the sense 

 explained, is simply the question with what kinds of general 

 categories, concerned in the creation of the mundus con- 



O ' 



ceptus, these factors or agents may be co-ordinated. 



We know already that energies and the intensities of 

 energies are among the factors constituting the " world " in 

 the sense of a phenomenon conceptually enlarged. Most of 

 you, I believe, will also know that there is another class of 

 such factors, commonly called " constants." Intensities and 

 constants are both properties of bodies ; intensities are 

 variable or temporary properties, constants, as their name 

 implies, are permanent properties. These constants show 

 very clearly the conceived character of natural factors in its 

 contrast to mere perception. Specific heat, conductivity, 



