THE LOGIC OF SCIENCE 407 



and to risk beliefs, if we allow our logic to observe that absolute 

 proof does not exist and that scientific proof is in its nature 

 cumulative, that the objects of scientific research are always 

 objects of scientific interest and desire, that facts which are not 

 looked for are in general not seen, that nature everywhere 

 insists that to find we must seek and usually contrives to hide 

 away her most important treasures in the oddest corners, it will 

 not seem credible that the procedure hitherto recommended and 

 pursued deserves to be described as a search for knowledge at 

 all. It will look rather like a clumsy and unfair attempt to burk 

 inquiry, and it will have to be pointed out that if we wish to 

 prove anything we must allow the evidence to accumulate and 

 permit the theory to grow gradually more probable, until it is 

 no longer worth a reasonable man's while to dispute its truth. 



With such a reformed notion of proof the researches to which 

 the psychical researchers addict themselves appear in a new 

 light. They are no longer impossible, unreasonable, or anti- 

 scientific. True, they are still risky, and demand the courage 

 that braves the terrors of the unknown in a higher degree than 

 most ; for they may fail altogether and lead to nothing, or to 

 nothing that was desired or expected. But this risk is taken by 

 every one who undertakes to extend the borders of science. 

 They may also be difficult and protracted, and a weariness to 

 the flesh. This again is not uncommon in scientific research. 

 But both interscientific comity and the true interests of science 

 demand that those who are here sinking a shaft into the 

 unknown should not be thwarted and persecuted, but rather 

 assisted, by all who are interested in the fullest exploration of 

 the universe. Sir Oliver Lodge's eloquent appeal for toleration — 

 " Allow us anyhow to make the attempt. Give us a fair field. 

 Let those who prefer the materialistic hypothesis by all means 

 try to develop their thesis as far as they can ; but let us try what 

 we can do in the psychical region and see which wins " — is not 

 only the voice of the good sportsman and the fair and open- 

 minded man, it is also good empiricism and good logic, and, 

 above all, an expression of the truly scientific spirit. 



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