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therefore the whole of it is a fact. Whence follows the deduction, 

 which to many may seem an anomaly, that a theory may be a fact, 

 in short is a fact when the word is used in the definite sense in 

 which I have now used it. Absurd as such a thing may seem, I 

 nevertheless believe that the definition which leads to such an 

 apparent anomaly is the true meaning of the word. Indeed, what 

 other meaning are we to infer can be attached to it by those who 

 put that most common question, "What is the theory of this?" 

 It is not asked what is your theory of it or some one's else theory 

 of it, but what is the theory of it. Now, in asking that question, 

 what do they wish to know % Surely not that you think 

 that the effect witnessed, which has led to the interrogation, may 

 be the result of a certain cause, but that it is the result of some 

 remote or mediate cause whose action you are able to point out. 

 They wish to know the truth. In other words, they expect that 

 your reply will be a fact. As to the meaning of the word practice 

 when used conjunctively with theory, that is, in the sense in which 

 I am now considering it, there is little difference of opinion ; it 

 being held to be the actual performance or carrying out of an 

 operation. 



With these definitions, let us now see what are the relations 

 in which theory and practice stand towards each other. But let 

 me remind you that I shall deal with theory in its definite sense, 

 and not with that indefinite sense of it which is synonymous with 

 opinion. 



The great majority of our acts and operations may be 

 divided into two parts — thinking and doing. The deciding how 

 we are to do, and then the doing of it. Upon our decision as to 

 the how mainly depends the result of our work. If we decide 

 rightly, our work may be finished as we wish it ; but if we decide 

 wrongly, no amount of excellence in the manner of doing it will 

 bring us to the desired result. It is clearly, therefore, of the 

 greatest importance that before we commence to do, v/e should 

 be right in our decision as to how we are to do. Our plan must 

 be correct before we commence to carry it out. But how are we 

 to know when it is correct ? How, amid the manifold properties 



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