230 cosmic rniLosornY. [n. n. 



these phenomena as manifested in particular groups of ag- 

 gregates. The primordial axiom, upon which our synthetic 



study of the universe must be founded, is one which is dis- 

 closed by the analytic study of the movements of masses and 

 molecules. And thus the three-fold classification of the 

 sciences, by which we found it necessary to replace the 

 simple linear classification of Comte, will find itself practi- 

 cally justified in the very first step which we take toward 

 the organization of scientific truths into a system of Cosmic 

 Philosophy. 



For at the bottom alike of molar physics, of molecular 

 physics, and of chemistry, there lie, in fact, two universal 

 propositions, — the one relating to Matter, the other relating 

 to Motion. These are the familiar propositions that Matter 

 is indestructible, and that Motion is continuous. Upon the 

 truth of this pair of closely-related propositions depends the 

 validity of every conclusion to which chemistry or either 

 branch of physics can attain. If, instead of dealing with 

 unalterable quantities and weights, the chemist and physicist 

 "had to deal with quantities and weights which were apt, 

 wholly or in part, to be annihilated, there would be introduced 

 an incalculable element, fatal to all positive conclusions." 

 And since motions of masses and molecules form a prin- 

 cipal part of the subject-matter of the three abstract-con- 

 crete sciences, it is obvious that "if these motions might 

 either proceed from nothing or lapse into nothing, there 

 would be an end to scientific interpretation of them;" no 

 science of chemistry, or of physics, molecular or molar, 

 would be possible. 



The evidence which has secured universal acceptance for 

 these twin theorems has been chiefly inductive evidence. 

 The ancients freely admitted that matter might be created 

 and destroyed ; and until the time of Galileo it was sup- 

 posed that moving bodies had a natural tendency to lose 

 theii motion by degrees until they finally stopped. Falsify- 



