134 The Evolution Hypothesis. 



during which the retained motion undergoes a 

 parallel transformation." * 



This formula expresses the one law which covers all 

 the knowable, embraces all concrete being, and is the 

 complete unification of knowledge actual and possible. 

 It must be carefully weighed, and its pretensions 

 tested. 



Examining it closely, one is at first puzzled to decide 

 whether it can in any proper sense be characterized as 

 a laiv. It is rather a description of certain processes 

 of change and a description of a somewhat loose and 

 inexact kind. The terms are wanting in precision. 

 They do not convey any conception sufficiently clear 

 and definite to form a basis for scientific reasoning. 

 It will not enable us to forecast definite results with 

 anything approaching certainty. With this formula 

 as the instrumental aid to vision, the future and the 

 past are alike blurred and dim. No form comes out 

 sharp and clear. We never fully escape out of the 

 original mist-cloud. Let us take the terms and 

 examine them. 



The matter evolved is described as "indefinite." 

 But in what sense ? It cannot be in the sense of un- 

 limited, or having no defined measure or bounds. To- 

 apply the term to the totality of matter in the sense 

 of existence without limit, or with limits unknowable, 

 is to set out with an inconceivable or merely negative 

 conception, by which we can advance nothing towards 



* First Principles, 145. 



