COSMIC PHILOSOPHY 



very likely something might be said, since even 

 in the various classifications already proposed, 

 the same science which one places at the be- 

 ginning of the scale is by another placed at the 

 end. 1 Nevertheless there is one series which is 

 clearly indicated by the decreasing generality 

 and simplicity of the phenomena with which 

 the respective sciences are concerned. And this 

 is the order which Comte adopts, primarily on 

 account of its logical convenience. He begins 

 with the most simple and general phenomena, 

 to proceed step by step to those which are most 

 complex and special. 



Proceeding upon this principle, we are con- 

 fronted at once by two grand divisions of phe- 

 nomena, inorganic and organic. There is no 

 difficulty in deciding which of these to study 

 first. The more general and simple phenomena 

 of weight, heat, light, electricity, and chemism, 

 are manifested alike by not-living and by living 

 bodies ; whereas the more special and complex 

 phenomena of life are manifested, of course, 

 only by the latter. Therefore the science of 

 inorganic phenomena must precede the other. 

 We can study thermal radiations and chemical 

 reactions without taking vital forces into the 



1 Later in life Comte, no doubt, came to look upon his 

 classification as complete and final. And so it appears to be 

 regarded by his disciples, who are deaf to all the considera- 

 tions which impeach it. 



