DEATH AND RESURRECTION. 73 



indispensable explanation of organic 

 phenomena, commenced more and more 

 to be regarded as a "back-way for 

 ignorance," one "of those many side 

 doors that dull heads employ when 

 they find it too laborious to think about 

 something that they do not under- 

 stand." 



It was natural that the materialists 

 would eagerly embrace these ideas. 

 From the few words with which Btich- 

 ner introduces his chapter about life- 

 force, we obtain a clear insight into the 

 opinions that are held on this subject 

 in the world of natural science. "The 

 mystic notions," says Buchner, "that 

 have confused the philosophy of science 

 were invented by a time possessing but 

 a slight knowledge of nature. To these 

 notions, which have been thrown over- 

 board bv a later exact scientific re- 

 search, belongs first of all the so-called 

 life-force. Scarcely has there ever ex- 

 isted an hypothesis more detrimental 

 to the cause of science than this singu- 

 lar organic force presented in contradis- 



