THE PRINCIPLES OF SCIENCE. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTION. 



SCIENCE arises from the discovery of Identity amidst 

 Diversity. The process may be described in different 

 words, but our language must always imply the presence 

 of one common and necessary element. In every act of 

 inference or scientific method we are engaged about a 

 certain identity, sameness, similarity, likeness, resemblance, 

 analogy, equivalence or equality apparent between two 

 objects. It is doubtful whether an entirely isolated 

 phenomenon could present itself to our notice, since there 

 must always be some points of similarity between object 

 and object. But in any case an isolated phenomenon 

 could be studied to no useful purpose. The whole value 

 of science consists in the power which it confers upon 

 us of applying to one object the knowledge acquired 

 from like objects ; and it is only so far, therefore, as we can 

 discover and register resemblances that we can turn our 

 observations to account. 



Nature is a spectacle continually exhibited to our senses, 

 in which phenomena are mingled in combinations of 

 endless variety and novelty. Wonder fixes the mind's 

 attention ; memory stores up a record of each distinct 

 impression ; the powers of association bring forth the record 

 when the like is felt again. By the higher faculties of 

 judgment and reasoning the mind compares the new with 



