64: CLASSIFICATION OF THE SCIENCES. 



dependent characteristics. These are two sides of the 

 same definition. For things possessing the greatest 

 number of attributes in common, are things that pos 

 sess in common those essential attributes on which the 

 rest depend ; and, conversely, the possession in com 

 mon of the essential attributes, implies the possession 

 in common of the greatest number of attributes. Hence, 

 either test may be used as convenience dictates. 



If, then, the Sciences admit of classification at all, it 

 must be by grouping together the like and separating 

 the unlike, as thus defined. Let us proceed to do this. 



The broadest natural division among the Sciences, 

 is the division between those which deal with the ab 

 stract relations under which phenomena are presented 

 to us, and those which deal with the phenomena them 

 selves. Eelations of whatever orders, are nearer akin 

 to one another than they are to any objects. Objects 

 of whatever orders, are nearer akin to one another 

 than they are to any relations. &quot;Whether, as sonic 

 hold, Space and Time are forms of Thought; or 

 whether, as I hold myself, they are forms of Things, 

 that have become forms of Thought through organ 

 ized and inherited experience of Things ; it is equally 

 true that Space and Time are contrasted absolutely 

 with the existences disclosed to us in Space and Time 

 and that the Sciences which deal exclusively with 

 Space and Time, are separated by the profoundest of 

 all distinctions from the Sciences which deal with the 



