228 SCIENCE IN GRECO-ROMAN ANTIQUITY 



and a priori the real world apart from experience ; 

 it can only analyse, that is to say elaborate, the group 

 of axioms necessary and sufficient to explain real 

 phenomena. 1 The axiomatic analysis as thus under- 

 stood seeks to substitute clear and distinct ideas for 

 intuitive, experimental and often confused notions. 

 It is thereby carrying on not only the work of Descartes 

 but also that of Greek science. 



Hence we are forced to the following conclusion : 

 the physics of relativity in returning to the immediate 

 data of sensible experience seeks to reduce them to 

 axioms, and for this reason it comes into line with the 

 realistic and logical tendencies of the Greek thinkers 

 of antiquity. 



1 Revue de Metaphysique et de Morale, " The Theorem of 

 Pythagoras," p. 23, year 1923. 



