10 SCIENCE 



We take it for granted that the universe is real. We usually do not 

 question the reality of space, of matter, and of time. Space is there, it 

 contains objects and matter, and things move through it. The matter can 

 be seen and touched, and its movement takes place over a period of 

 time. But is it possible that my whole idea of the universe is the product 

 of the perceptions of my sense organs and of my mind? Is it possible that 

 there is another universe, left-handed or inside-out, which occupies the 

 same space, but which I cannot detect with my sense organs? Could time 

 stop and with it all my mental activities, to start again only when time 

 started again? The philosophers have debated the question, "What is 

 reality?" We scientists have become so accustomed to thinking of our 

 universe as matter occupying space and changing in time that it is 

 disturbing to think that it might not be real. 



While we are assuming that matter is real, we also assume that this 

 matter is present in some amount and that it can be measured. There 

 is some total amount of matter. Imagine the confusion if a certain piece 

 of material varied in amount according to no predictable pattern and for 

 no apparent cause. Measuring instruments would be useless. We would 

 measure lengths with a rubber ruler. 



We assume that the universe is consistent. We take it for granted 

 that there is a set of natural laws, and that our scientific investigations 

 produce theories that approximately explain these natural laws. 



Another assumption is the cause and effect relationship. Every cause 

 will bring about an effect, and every phenomenon is caused by some 

 set of circumstances. If we understand the natural law, then if we 

 are given a set of circumstances or a "cause," we should be able to predict 

 the "effect." 



A final assumption is that this real, consistent, deterministic universe 

 can be comprehended by the mind of man. There is no secret in the 

 natural laws that will not eventually be explained if enough observations 

 are made. There is no great mystery, no whimsical maker and changer 

 of laws, that is beyond the mental ability of man. This is a very neces- 

 sary assumption, as without it all investigation is futile. If we cannot 

 understand the universe anyway, and if there is no hope of solving our 

 problems, why bother to try? The defeatist attitude is a natural conse- 

 quence of the failure to make this assumption. 



These assumptions are so much a part of our thinking that we are 

 hardly aware that we take them for granted and that they cannot be 

 tested. It is almost beyond reason to admit that any one of these might 



