Modern Science : A Criticism 



tance beyond the region of actual observation we 

 speedily part company with facts. ^ 



To proceed with a few more words about the 

 general method of Science. Science passes from 

 phenomena to laws, from individual details v/hich 

 can be seen and felt to large generalisations of an 

 intangible and phantom-like character. That is 

 to say, that for convenience of thought we classify 

 objects. How is this classification effected ? It 

 is effected through the perception of identity amid 

 difference. Among a lot of objects I perceive 

 certain attributes in common ; this group of 

 common attributes serves, so to speak, as a band 

 to tie these objects together with — into a bundle 

 convenient for thought. I give a name to the 

 band, and that serves to denote any unit of the 

 bundle by. Thus perceiving common attributes 

 among a lot of dogs — as in an example already 

 given — I give the name foxhound to this group 

 of attributes, and thenceforth use the name fox- 

 hound to connect these objects by in my mind ; 

 again perceiving other common attributes among 



I All our thoughts, theories, " laws," etc., may perhaps be 

 said to touch Nature — as the tangent touches the curve — at a point. 

 They give a direction — ^and are true — at that point. But make 

 the slightest move, and they all have to be reconstructed. The 

 tangents are infinite in number, but the curve is one. This may 

 not only illustrate the relation of Nature to Science, but also of 

 Art to the materials it uses. The poet radiates thoughts : but 

 he sets no store by them. He knows his thoughts are not true 

 in themselves, but they touch the Truth. His lines are the envelope 

 of the curve which is his poem. 



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