2 GENERAL VIEW AND BASIS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. 



entire universe of matter* and its energies, including mind 

 and its processes. 1 It is also very complex, because the 

 modes of operation of the various forces are numerous and 

 widely different, and are modified in all different sub- 

 stances. Science claims as her domain for investigation 

 all the properties and actions of material substances, in- 

 cluding those of the human brain, the actions of sensation, 

 mind, will, and imagination, and also all those of the 

 various forms of natural energy, and of the media through 

 which they operate, including the universal ether, which 

 pervades all bodies and all space ; and the only ultimate 

 limits of scientific research are those of time, space, 

 matter, and force. 



Science is the interpretation of nature, and man is the 

 interpreter. Original research is the chief source of new 

 scientific knowledge. Its usual purpose is the discovery 

 of new truths ; its immediate effects are to extend the 

 boundaries of knowledge and remove error, supply a source 

 of mental discipline in education, and facts for conversion 

 into practical inventions ; and its more ultimate results 

 are to enlarge our power over nature, and increase the 

 happiness of mankind. 6 Science is nothing else than 

 N^ man's intellectual representation of the phenomena of 

 nature his conception of the universe in the midst of 

 which he is placed,' and the function of a scientific investi- 

 gator is to discover that representation and order. Every 

 scientific philosopher wishes to know: 'What are the 

 fewest assumptions, which being granted, the order of 

 nature as it exists would be the result ? What are the 

 fewest general propositions from which all the uniformities 

 in nature could be deduced ? ' 2 There is no distinct line 



1 Throughout this book I treat of mind and its processes, not as 

 separate from, but as a part of the universe and its energies. 

 * J. S. Mill, 



