THE RHYTHMIC UNIVERSE 381 



The experimental determination of rhythmicity indicates a 

 more cosmic and universal, rather than a particular base. Such 

 indications point away from theories of a random origin of 

 organized life, and towards the conviction of a cosmic order 

 in which random events have their part simply as normal 

 deviations from the rule in a lesser number of cases. Order is 

 not known to be the "per se product of chance, and need never 

 occur from it. Order does occur from intelligence, as the 

 products of human intelligence show. Sound science may well 

 suppose a supreme intelligence behind the events of nature. 

 Such an intelligence can be demonstrated (though not experi- 

 mentally) to be necessarily immaterial, infinite and personal. 



But, the cautious inquirer may ask, could not one suppose 

 even the final cosmic, supreme order to be possibly the result 

 of chance.? No, for chance cannot be conceived as anything 

 other than an exception to order. The supposed supreme 

 chance configuration presupposes a more extensive order of 

 which it is an exception of lesser degree. Whoever speaks of 

 chance implies, whether he acknowledges it or not, an even 

 more primordial " order." 



The fascinating researches and challenging results of talented 



comiron cause, are found to be ordered to each other, and not conjoined acci- 

 dentally, but simultaneously produced by one fer se cause. If the flowering of this 

 herb or that, for example, is referred to a particular force which is in this plant or 

 the other, there appears to be no order of one to the other; rather it appears to be 

 accidental that when this plant blooms, the other blooms also. And this is because 

 the cause of the power of this particular plant extends to the flowering of itself, 

 and not to that of another; whence it is indeed the cause that this plant should 

 bloom, but not that it should bloom simultaneously with the other. But if reference 

 is had to the power of the heavenly body, which is a common cause, the event is 

 found to be not accidental, namely that when this flower blooms, the other should 

 bloom also, but to be ordered by some first cause ordaining this, which simul- 

 taneously moves both herbs to florition." St. Thomas, In VI Metaph., led. 3, 

 nn. 1205-6. 



The consideration of angelic knowledge throws light on this conclusion: " The 

 angels know all natural causes. WTience certain things which appear contmgent and 

 to be accidental when some of their causes have been considered ai-e recognized to 

 be necessary by the angels, since they know all the causes involved." St. Thomas, 

 De verit., q. 8, a. 12. 



