APOLOGY FOR CHAPTER I 



The first 'chapter, "A Global View/' is a paradox. It belongs at 

 the end of the book. And vet, it belongs at the beginning. We suspect 

 that it will Le disappointing to the reader in its present position. 

 That is because it cannot be understood very well without the back- 

 ground of the chapters to follow. And, on the other hand, those 

 chapters contain a widely ranging array of facts and ideas. They need 

 a unifying preamble, which Chapter I attempts to provide. 



The dilemma cannot be solved. The essence of a dozen sciences 

 cannot be distilled and blended into a philosophy of unity in a few 

 minutes. Although it cannot be done, "A Global View" tries. The 

 only reasonable course is to read it again as a final chapter. Such a 

 second reading, backed and sustained by a mosiac of related informa- 

 tion, will doubtless be more rewarding. 



xv 



