COSMIC PHILOSOPHY 



the time,^ is strictly unthinkable. For it in- 

 volves the assertion that the same amount of 

 gravitative force will cause, in a given second 

 of time, an increment of velocity which is either 

 greater or less than the increment of velocity 

 which it will cause in the succeeding second. 

 We are required to suppose, in the first case, an 

 addition to the velocity without any addition to 

 the force which causes it ; in the second case, 

 we are required to suppose a subtraction from 

 the velocity without any subtraction from the 

 force ; and therefore, in either case, we are re- 

 quired to frame in thought an equation between 

 something and nothing, — which is impossible. 

 Thus the objective method starts by verify- 

 ing its premise ; and, not content with any ap- 

 parent congruity in its syllogistic processes, it 

 does not definitely accept the conclusion until 

 that also has been confronted with the pheno- 

 mena. And, if in the verified conclusion there 

 is involved an unexplained residuum, far from 

 giving up its conclusion out of deference to some 

 imaginary subjective necessity, it acknowledges 



^ To speak of the velocity as proportional to the time is, 

 however, a somewhat lax use of mechanical terminology. 

 Strictly speaking, the velocity is 2i function of the time and of 

 gravity. Since gravitative force increases as the body ap- 

 proaches the earth, there are increased increments of velocity 

 in successive equal times. Introducing this correction into the 

 sentences which follow, the reasoning becomes strictly accu- 

 rate. 



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