4 20 SCIENCE PROGRESS. 



their variety must be referred. This conception we may 

 term scientific materialism. 



I here propose to state my conviction that this so 

 generally accepted view is untenable ; that this mechanical 

 idea of the universe does not fulfil the purpose for which it 

 was designed, and that it is inconsistent with undoubted and 

 generally known and recognised truths. The conclusion to 

 be drawn from this is obvious. The scientifically untenable 

 view must be abandoned and its place filled, if possible, by 

 a new and a better one. The natural question as to whether 

 such another and better conception can be found, I think 

 I can answer in the affirmative. My remarks consequently 

 divide themselves naturally into two parts : a destruc- 

 tive part and a constructive part. As in all cases, so here, 

 destruction is easier than construction ; the inefficiency 

 of the customary mechanical treatment is more easy to 

 demonstrate than the efficiency of the new one, which I 

 would characterise as the "energetical" view. I may re- 

 mark at once that the new view has already had an 

 opportunity of proving its worth on quiet reflection, 

 and by impartial research in particularly favourable regions 

 of experimental science. Although this cannot prove its 

 correctness, it still gives the new conception a claim to 

 notice. 



It will not perhaps be superfluous to state at the outset 

 that I am dealing to-day exclusively with a question of natural 

 science. I draw aside on principle from all conclusions of 

 an ethical or religious nature which may be deduced from 

 the result of this discussion. I do this not because I 

 undervalue the significance of such conclusions, but because 

 my arguments have been founded, independently of such 

 considerations, on the firm ground of the exact sciences. 

 For the tillage of this soil also, it may be said that he 

 who putteth his hand to the plough and looketh back is 

 not fit for this kingdom. The scientific investigator of 

 nature is bound to set forth his results neither to pain nor 

 to please, and we may trust ourselves to the power of Truth 

 which, though perhaps temporarily, can never lead far 

 from the right way him who seeks her earnestly. 



