LIFE AND THE COSMOS 281 



and it seems clear that the facts of physical 

 science call for an explanation of the tend- 

 ency to fitness of the environment in the 

 same way that formerly the facts of biologi- 

 cal science called for an explanation of the 

 tendency to fitness of the organism. 



To postulate such a tendency is, however, 

 in itself rather a philosophical than a scientific 

 act, and so, too, must be conjecture regarding 

 the origin of fitness. It is open to any one 

 who may be so minded speculatively to enrich 

 this tendency with characteristics of any sort. 

 He may follow the lead of M. Bergson and 

 call it impetus, with all which that term now 

 implies, or he may turn to natural theology 

 and regard it as proof of supernatural purpose 

 and design, or he may find a model for teleolog- 

 ical views in many other quarters. But one 

 thing is certain, no such discussion, be it ever 

 so important to the philosopher or the theo- 

 logian, can directly contribute to scientific 

 knowledge and comprehension of the under- 

 lying phenomena, which are the sole positive 

 and certain knowledge of the subject that 



fused form, he finds it utterly impossible to conceive how this 

 came to be so; and equally, if he speculates on the future, 

 he can assign no limit to the grand succession of phenomena 

 ever unfolding themselves before him." — Herbert Spencer, 

 "First Principles." New York, reprinted from the Fifth 

 London Edition, 1880. The Home Library, p. 57. 



