THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD 125 



For the purposes of theory, although this energy ap- 

 peals to our senses in the three forms of heat, light, 

 and electricity, which in their qualitative aspects are 

 each fundamental and not referable one to another, we 

 fortunately find that quantitatively all three are satis- 

 fied by one dynamic formula. We have therefore ob- 

 tained an adequate quantitative knowledge of energy, 

 but not an inkling of the qualitative coefficients in this 

 formula. 



The hypothesis of the ether is an attempt to accom- 

 plish the impossible. And while it is now generally 

 admitted that we cannot create such a substance as will 

 satisfy the physical requirements of a transmitter of 

 radiant energy, still the ether is claimed to be a useful 

 hypothesis. This utility is said to consist in giving us 

 a crude image, in a mechanical way, of what occurs. 

 In other words, it supports our innate dislike to con- 

 fessing complete ignorance, and it provides a set of 

 concrete analogies for abstract statements and equa- 

 tions. Now the old elastic solid and mechanical ether did 

 afford us a concrete image of a mechanism for radiant 

 energy, and we could speak of it with some intelligence 

 to one another, because everyone has a conception of 

 an elastic solid. To be sure, this solid ether became a 

 grotesque. It permitted the transference of heat and 

 light energy, but only at the expense of creating a kind 

 of matter entirely outside of, and contradictory to, 

 anything in our experience. We have only to recall the 



