64 THE WORLD-ENERGY 



progressive science of the nineteenth century should long 

 ago have freed itself. 



And mainly, indeed, this has actually been accom- 

 plished. The word " atom" is used more and more in a 

 symbolic sense, and now really involves no contradiction 

 with the conception that matter, as that which is ex- 

 tended, or which can occupy space, simply consist of its 

 properties manifested in various degrees, under various 

 conditions. And let us recall that, thus far in the present 

 essay, two opposite and complementary forces, or modes 

 of force, have appeared as constituting the very basis or 

 essence of matter as that which is extended. 



From whatever side we view the subject, then, force 

 appears to be the sole reality of matter; while the " atom," 

 as a something existing apart from force, proves to be 

 nothing else than a phantasmal product of that "bad 

 metaphysics," which is, perhaps, indulged in most of all 

 by those who know least of, and therefore Have least 

 patience with, metaphysics, properly speaking. 



