BATING A THEORY 36 



This provisional rating is indispensable; since even 

 an author's unquestioned eminence in his own spe- 

 cial field and consequent high reputation, does not 

 always guarantee the value of his theoretical work 

 outside that field. 



The element of clearness of presentation of a new 

 view is an important factor. The number of per- 

 sons — whether few or many, to whom a new theory 

 makes immediate appeal certainly is not without its 

 direct influence in determining an early or general 

 hearing; yet by no means is the one whose work is 

 on trial permitted to appropriate to himself what Kant 

 said of his Kritik: "The danger is not that of being 

 refuted, but merely that of being misunderstood." 



If on cursory examination it appears that the 

 general quality of the work warrants it, there follows 

 inquiry into the congruity of the view with the ac- 

 cepted facts of the science or sciences to which the 

 theory is related, and into the legitimacy of the use, 

 or interpretation made of any such facts. There 

 must be found present a twofold agreement: There 

 must be agreement of the views with the facts of 

 science and observation, and agreement between the 

 premises and the conclusions. 



If no known fact can be shown to be at variance 

 it is conceded that the conclusion deserves to rank 

 as a theory. 



