238 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



If, in conclusion, we ask what influence investigations such as have 

 just been sketched in outline can have upon the development of the 

 future the following may be said: Whether a great and influential 

 man of science develop and where, has hitherto been regarded as an 

 event quite beyond control. All are agreed that such a one is one of 

 the most precious treasures a nation (or indeed mankind) may possess. 

 The conscious and regular training of such rarities had not been con- 

 sidered possible. While this is still true in the case of the quite ex- 

 ceptional genius, nevertheless countries of old civilization, at present 

 notably Germany, exhibit an educational system at their universities 

 which yields a regular harvest of young men of science, masters not 

 merely of existing knowledge, but also of the technique of discovery. 

 In this fashion the growth of science has been rendered sure and 

 regular while its practise has been raised to a higher plane. These re- 

 sults have hitherto been attained by essentially empirical or even acci- 

 dental means. It is the problem of the philosophy of science to 

 regulate and systematize this activity in order that success may no 

 longer depend solely upon individual talent, but may also be achieved 

 by less original minds. Mastery of method, moreover, leads the ex- 

 ceptionally gifted individual to considerably higher achievements than 

 he could attain without it. 



