280 THE WORLD-ENERGY 



a large extent of the surface of that sphere. From which 

 we cannot but conclude that the transition of inorganic 

 into organic matter on the earth must have taken place 

 simultaneously over wide areas. In other words, the 

 center of the creation of organisms is not a geometrical 

 center, but a rational or logical center. It is not one 

 exclusive locality in space, but only a center in kind. 

 Physical identity is necessarily local and particular. 

 Logical or rational identity is universal, and, as such, is 

 without relation to space. That is, centrality in kind 

 is wholly indifferent to space as such, and consists only 

 of the grouping of such conditions as tend to the develop- 

 ment of units bearing certain generic or typical marks. 

 The unit is a particular case of the more or less adequate 

 realization of the universal or typical "plan;" whether 

 the " plan" be that of a star, or a crystal, or a plant, or 

 an animal, or a soul. Thus in this higher, concrete 

 sense, centrality is seen to be co-extensive with space from 

 the very fact that it is indifferent to space. No doubt 

 each particular instance must be localized in space. But 

 it is equally evident that wherever in space the conditions 

 are favorable to the development of units of any given 

 type, there is the center of creation for that type. And 

 no matter at how many or at what remote points in space 

 this grouping of conditions may occur, each point is 

 equally the center of creation for the given type. 



Again, one must be on his guard with reference to 

 another point also. It is this : The arising of a given 

 type is no more a matter of time, than it is a matter of 

 space. Time, as was seen at the outset, is nothing 

 else than the abstract form of change. Hence it is by 

 no means necessary to suppose that the "origin" or 



