COSMIC PHILOSOPHY 



is thus very roughly described, but such is es- 

 sentially its character. But now let us note that 

 throughout this wondrous circuit, from molar 

 motion to molecular nerve motion, and back 

 again to molar motion, there is no question 

 of Mind whatever. The metamorphosis is al- 

 ways from one species of material motion into 

 some other species of material motion, but never 

 from a species of material motion into an idea 

 or a feeling. The dynamic circuit is absolutely 

 complete without taking psychical manifesta- 

 tions into the"" account at all. Now obviously 

 the most that molecular physics can ever accom- 

 plish will be to point out, in more and more 

 minute detail, the characteristics of the various 

 metamorphoses which occur within the limits of 

 this circuit. The ideal goal of physical inquiry 

 would be to furnish algebraic equations for every 

 curve described by every particle of matter dur- 

 ing the entire series of transformations, from the 

 arrested molar motions of the gravitating parti- 

 cles of the sun, down to the endlessly complex 

 molecular motions which take place within the 

 cerebral tissue of a mathematician engaged in 

 solving partial differential equations. However 

 stupendous such an achievement may seem to 

 us who are as yet in the callow infancy of scien- 

 tific inquiry, there is nevertheless no radical ab- 

 surdity involved in conceiving it as theoretically 

 possible. But now let us suppose all this actu- 

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