94 GENERAL VIEW AND BASIS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. 



heaviest, &c. ; but he may simultaneously believe to be 

 'true and consistent statements which are really false and 

 contradictory, until by further experience and enlighten- 

 ment he perceives their contradiction ; and we all do this, 

 probably to a very great extent. Real contradiction is 

 always a proof of falsity, and the multitudes of really con- 

 tradictory opinions upon questions we cannot decide prove 

 the wide-spread prevalence of erroneous beliefs. 



We often believe first, and then examine the evidence, 

 instead of the reverse. Nearly all persons form their 

 beliefs blindly, and very few knowingly or intentionally 

 base them upon reason, especially in matters where the 

 feelings are powerful, or in which but little immediate 

 assistance can be given by the intellect. We all be- 

 lieve a vast deal more than we have had any personal 

 experience of, and the real credibility of a statement is 

 by no means proportionate to the degree of our tendency 

 to believe it. Notwithstanding this, common beliefs are 

 usually in accordance with reason, and this is largely 

 because thinking men of former times have determined 

 them for us, and we, by inheritance, education, and 

 habit, have blindly adopted them. It is, however, an evil 

 practice to submit blindly to tradition or authority, if 

 we have opportunity of acquiring knowledge and rational 

 belief. 



The great bulk of mankind are so much occupied in 

 seeking money and personal influence and power that they 

 are, to a great extent, unable to determine for themselves 

 the truth of what they believe, but have to accept as true 

 that which they are told. In this way they are led by 

 repeated impressions, in subjects where proofs are not 

 obtainable, to consider statements to be demonstrable 

 evidence and proof which are not so, and settle down into 

 a conviction that their beliefs have been proved when they 



