a 



DICTATORIAL 

 SCIENTIFIC UTTERANCES 



AND THE 



DECLINE OF THOUGHT. 



BY 



LIONEL S. BEALE, F.K.S. 



THE inquiry whether the hypotheses upon which modern 

 scientific opinion in favour of some form of the 

 physical doctrine of life which constitute the basis of 

 every kind of materialism are or are not worthy of 

 acceptance at this time, has called forth very different 

 replies. Some in authority have answered with a positive 

 and unhesitating affirmative, others have given an uncertain 

 assent, or have contented themselves by not dissenting. 

 A very small number have objected to the physical view 

 of life as untenable in the present state of scientific know- 

 ledge, and as being, upon vai'ious grounds, unworthy of 

 acceptance. In this minority I still find myself, because, 

 notwithstanding full inquiry, and very careful examination 

 B 



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