124 WHAT IS LIFE 



tion of vital phenomena has not been found ; and 

 that even though this assertion be correct, the only 

 possible way to advance in physiology is by the 

 further application of the principles of physics and 

 chemistry, since there are and can be no other 

 kinds of explanation but the causal ones which these 

 sciences afford. This argument in its widest form 

 is undoubtedly based on the metaphysical assump- 

 tion that the universe, interpreted as it is in the 

 physical sciences as a universe of matter and energy, 

 corresponds to absolute reality, and is for this 

 reason incapable of any further interpretation. The 

 work of modern philosophy since Berkeley and 

 Hume has shown that the assumption in question 

 is without foundation." 



