24 The Universe and Life 



It is clear that the characteristic phenomena of liv- 

 ing things, both "inner" and "outer" come forth pro- 

 gressively. Calling, for brevity's sake, these char- 

 acteristic phenomena life, we may say that life is not 

 some single definite thing, existing once and for all. 

 On the contrary, it is at first a relatively simple 

 thing; which indeed at an earlier period apparently 

 did not exist at all but came into being at a particu- 

 lar time — a point to which we return. But, in any 

 case, the relatively simple life of early periods does 

 not remain what it was but changes, becomes some- 

 thing else. It alters quantitatively, passing from con- 

 ditions of simphcity and diffusiveness to complexity 

 and definiteness. 



And more important, it alters qualitatively, in the 

 sensations, feelings, and other phenomena that are 

 directly experienced — the phenomena that we call 

 mental. New sensations, new emotions appear as de- 

 velopment proceeds to higher grades. Ideas arise. The 

 inner life becomes highly diversified. In its later 

 grades it contains much that was not present at 

 earlier periods. Does development then produce what 

 is really new.^ Is life indeed upon a new adventure .f^ 



Into this particular question we must now inquire 

 with care. And first we must ask : What of the begin- 

 ning of Hie? 



Did life always exist? Or was there a time when 

 there was no life ; so that life must have begun at a 

 certain time ? Did life come into the universe as some- 

 thing new.? 



Our usual practice imphes that it did. We are ac- 



