The Scientific Method. 329 



this is peculiarly true, aud it takes a much more careful 

 and judicial study to calculate effects here, than it does in 

 the mechanical or biological world. Hence we must move 

 cautiously and tentatively in this region. Thus it happens 

 that the truly "practical man" is often more successful 

 than theorists. 13ut, though he may ridicule science, such 

 a one it is who after all is the true scientist. He takes 

 account of the facts. He generalizes and reasons induc- 

 tively, gathering together the various lines of the operation 

 of forces, while the doctrinaire pursues only one line 

 deductively, falsely assuming that conditions do not change 

 and that reaction does not modify action. 



I read Avith much interest and with approval Mr. Potts's 

 representation of the evil of too much enthusiasm. Loy- 

 alty to a principle, as to a person, may easily be overdone. 

 It prevents criticism, reformation and readjustment of 

 principles. Enthusiasm is of more value in an unscientific 

 age, when men are too ignorant to be skilful in bringing 

 about results, and when intellectual activities do not have 

 free play. In former times, and now even in many places, 

 the king is really a god, to be thought of with awe and 

 reverence, never to be criticized. In a thoroughly scientific 

 community he is, as a royal personage, tawdry and con- 

 teinptible. The day was when the orator who ap])ealed 

 fervently to the feelings governed men's minds ; to-day 

 such appeals are usually ridiculous. It must be remem- 

 bered that Mohammed, hred with tremendous zeal, vainly 

 endeavored to solve the social problem by galloping with 

 drawn sword over three continents, cutting down all who 

 opposed ; while Buddha solved it by sitting down under a 

 tree and going to sleep. 



If I were asked what was the Zeit-geist proper to a 

 scientific age, I should unhesitatingly say, the eternal Mug- 

 Avump-spirit. It is a great ])ity to have so much good 

 activity wasted through an undiscriminating devotion to 

 party, in politics, in religion, and even in scientific inquiry. 

 Most people never know when to leave their party and join 

 a better one. They cannot make the higher synthesis ; 

 they are bound by the chains of fear and prejudice. Into 

 their obstinate adherence to their idols enters also, uncon- 

 sciously to themselves, a very dangerous form of egotism. 

 Nothing is good exce})t what they favor and what they are 

 personally concerned in bringing about. Many a reform 



