INTRODUCTION xxix 



consistent, that they form indeed a rational system. In the 

 same way it is necessary to show in ethics not merely that 

 there is a certain order which as a matter of fact is coming to 

 prevail, but that there is a rational order. This task is 

 attempted in the earlier chapters of Part II., and the evolu- 

 tion of mind is conceived accordingly as a progressive 

 development of the rational both in thought and in action. 

 The conception formed of rationality proves in fact to be 

 the connecting link between the historical account of mental 

 evolution and the philosophical theory of the ultimate basis 

 and meaning of evolution. Three studies are thus closely 

 linked/ the history of mind in living beings, the validity of 

 its rational processes, Ae position of mind in the structure 

 of reality^ as a whole. In the position here adopted, the 

 conception of reason is no doubt considerably widened. 

 Neither in logic nor in ethics is the rational function con- 

 fined to the apprehension or application of certain abstract 

 ideas. It is conceived rather as a principle of harmony 

 pervading experience and working it into an organic whole. 

 So understood, reason is supreme in the mind simply as 

 that which embraces every element of experience, inter- 

 connects every feeling and thought, takes account imparti- 

 ally of every suggestion and every impulse, and weaves of 

 them all a tissue which is never ossified but always plastic 

 and recipient. It is the conscious expression of that im- 

 pulse to harmony which dominates the entire evolution of 

 Mind, and the rationality of the process is the guarantee of 

 its ultimate success. 



