COSMIC PHILOSOPHY 



we have enunciated the widest generalization 

 that has yet been reached concerning the con- 

 crete universe as a whole. Having ascertained 

 that in organic aggregates, where the conditions 

 are such as to allow of relatively permanent 

 structural rearrangements, the process of Evo- 

 lution is characterized by a change from in- 

 determinate uniformity to determinate multi- 

 formity, we have assumed that like conditions 

 will everywhere be attended with like results. 

 The law asserts that wherever a relatively per- 

 manent system of rearrangements is possible, 

 whether in organic or in inorganic aggregates, 

 the change from indeterminate uniformity to 

 determinate multiformity will be manifested. 

 This leap of inference on Mr. Spencer's part, 

 like the similar leap taken by Newton from the 

 fall of the apple to the motions of the moon, is 

 the daring act which completes the formation of 

 the hypothesis. This grand hypothesis we must 

 now proceed to verify by showing that the wid- 

 est generalizations severally obtainable in the 

 concrete sciences are included in it, and receive 

 from it their common interpretation. It is to be 

 shown that in the case of sundry inorganic ag- 

 gregates or systems of parts (forming the sub- 

 ject-matter of astronomy and geology), where 

 circumstances not yet recounted permit the re- 

 tention of a considerable relative motion of parts, 

 the processes of differentiation and integration 

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