COSMIC PHILOSOPHY 



scientific method, our course is clearly marked 

 out for us. We have first to search, among 

 truths already indisputably established, for that 

 ultimate truth which must underlie our Synthe- 

 sis of scientific truths. We have next to show 

 how the widest generalization which has yet 

 been reached concerning the concrete universe 

 as a whole, may be proved to follow, as an in- 

 evitable corollary, from this ultimate truth. 

 This widest generalization will thus appear, in 

 the light of our demonstration, as a legitimate 

 hypothesis, which we may verify by showing 

 that the widest generalizations severally obtain- 

 able in the concrete sciences are included in it 

 and receive their common interpretation from 

 it. Throughout the earlier part of this special 

 verification, in which we shall be called upon 

 to survey the truths furnished respectively by 

 astronomy, geology, biology, and psychology, 

 I shall follow closely in the footsteps of Mr. 

 Spencer, who has already elaborately illustrated 

 these truths in the light of the Doctrine of Evo- 

 lution. When we arrive at sociology — still 

 following Mr. Spencer's guidance, but ventur- 

 ing into a region which he has as yet but cur- 

 sorily and fragmentarily surveyed for us — I 

 shall endeavour to show that our main hypo- 

 thesis presents the strongest indications of its 

 genuineness by affording a brilliant interpreta- 

 tion of sundry social phenomena never before 

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