THE SCIENTIFIC MOOD. 19 



ships observed between a vast range of phenomena. 

 It economises thought by stating in conceptual short- 

 hand that routine of our perceptions which forms for 

 us the universe of gravitating matter." * 



SCIENTIFIC METHOD. 



From what we have already said it should be 

 plain that science has no mysterious methods of its 

 own. Its method is the method of common sense. 

 In his little book on scientific thinking,! Dr. Adolf 

 Wagner points out with great vivacity that science 

 is characterised as an intellectual attitude; it is not 

 any particular body of facts; it has no peculiar 

 method of inquiry; it is simply sincere critical 

 thought, which admits conclusions only when these 

 are based on evidence. Let us, however, briefly indi- 

 cate some of the chief steps in the scientific treat- 

 ment of a given problem. 



^ (a) Observation of Facts. The first step is to 

 make sure of the facts concerning which a problem 

 has been raised in the inquisitive mind. Here the 

 fundamental virtues are precision, caution, clear- 

 ness, and impartiality. The rough and ready 

 record, the second-hand evidence, the vague impres- 

 sion, the picking of facts which suit must be elimi- 

 nated. Hence, since the observer is a fallible mortal, 

 the importance of co-operation, of independent ob- 

 servation on the same subject, of instrumental means 

 of extending the range and delicacy of our senses, 

 and of automatic methods of registration, such as 

 photography supplies. 



* Karl Pearson, The Grammar of Science, rev. ed., 1900, 

 p. 99. 



t A. Wagner, Studien und Skizzen aus Naturwissenschaft 

 vnd Philosophic. I. Ueber wissenschaftliches Denken und 

 iibcr populare Wissenschaft, Berlin, 1899, p. 79. 



