Criterion of Truth iu Science. 



The real source of all that is good in new scientific 

 knowledge arises from its verified and verifiable 

 character, its high degree of certainty, and its capacity 

 of withstanding all the tests which can be applied to* 

 it. By the term "scientific knowledge" in this case 

 I mean that only that which has been verified, and I 

 purposely exclude all matters of hypothesis, mere 

 opinion or belief. Scientific research is the chief basis 

 of national progress, not only because it is continually 

 disclosing new truths to us, but also because the truths 

 it reveals are frequently of the most definite kind. 



As the term " verified truth " may appear vague,, 

 the questions may well be asked, what is truth ? And 

 how may we best detect it ? And especially what is- 

 new truth ? and how may it best be recognised ?' 

 Truth may be conveniently defined as universal con- 

 sistency ; or that which perfectly conforms to facts,, 

 and agrees with the widest experience, when tested- 

 by means of all our intellectual powers, the reasoning 

 faculty in particular. The usual modern criterion of 

 it, is consistency with the fundamental axioms of 

 logic, and with all the great principles of nature as- 

 established by means of scientific research, such as- 

 the universality of causation, the continuity of phen- 

 omena, the indestructibility of matter and energy, the 

 convertibility and equivalency of forces, &c. All- 

 truth whatever is one in character by possessing the 

 inseparable attribute of complete consistency. The 

 truthfulness of scientific knowledge is proved by te 

 agreement with universal experience and with the 



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