n CONCEPTS OF SPACE AND TIME 31 



being subjective or merely relative to the observer, gravi- 

 tation becomes the very structure of the real world and con- 

 notes the stratification which characterises the vast fields of 

 the Space-Time continuum. Our whole conception of the 

 universe is altered. Instead of conceiving the universe as 

 consisting of material bodies floating in a medium of uniform 

 homogeneous space, we now look upon the vast variable 

 masses of '' matter '' associated with high-speed energies as 

 developing huge '' fields '^ called Space-Time, in which 

 the curves of the lines can be calculated and the course of 

 events happening in them can be predicted. For events 

 follow the curves and their future course can be calculated, 

 once their position on the curves is determined. The 

 physics of Nature thus becomes in part an annexe 

 of the geometry of Space-Time, and a new power is 

 placed in the hands of man, limited only by the limitations 

 of his mathematical insight and genius. The distance be- 

 tween mind and matter is immeasurably reduced, and matter 

 appears to become plastic to the moulding power of mind. 

 The concept of the *' field " becomes all-important in science 

 and in thought. The '' field " of matter is simply the curved 

 structure of the real Space-Time, which extends far beyond 

 sensible matter itself. Throughout its vast " fields " the 

 universe assumes a form not very much unlike the curved 

 contours and unevennesses which we associate with the 

 physical appearance of this globe. The contours of the 

 unseen universe of our field which surrounds us follow very 

 much the lines which meet our eye on sea and land. But 

 these lines are not mere empty form. They are not mere 

 curves of beauty; they are real and causal, for they 

 determine the course of events in the universe. The 

 peripheries of rotating bodies are such curves, the planets 

 move round the suns in such curves; light is propagated 

 along such curves; in fact these curves are the path- 

 ways of the physical universe which all physical events 

 must follow. The inmost nature of the universe is active 

 Energy or Action and involves the interplay of tre- 

 mendous activities, whose result is expressed in these 



