FORMS OF ATTACK 23 



other consideration. And negatively: In matters of 

 intellect, do not pretend that conclusions are certain 

 which are not demonstrated or demonstrable. . . . The 

 only negative fixed points will be those negations which 

 flow from the demonstrable limitation of our faculties. 

 And the only obligation accepted is to have the mind 

 always open to conviction." ^ 



If we consider Mr. Huxley's language closely, we 

 shall see that three contentions are made. In the first 

 place he insists that we must be guided in matters of 

 intellect by pure reason; which means that we ought 

 to exclude every influence of desire and will. This is 

 bad psychology. The emotional, volitional, and intel- 

 lectual functions of personality are not separable 

 faculties, but are invariably exercised together, — in 

 varying proportions, no doubt, but — as inseparable 

 parts of personal functioning. In no department of 

 truth-seeking can one exercise his reason to effect 

 unless impelled by interest, disposition to learn, and 

 will to attend. Moreover, one's conclusions are deter- ' 

 mined in the consideration of scientific problems, and 

 in scientific inductions, by the proportionate degrees 

 of attention that are given to particular data, that is 

 by the will — the will in turn being influenced by per- 

 sonal preconceptions and predispositions. In brief, 

 personaHty is as certainly a determining factor in the 

 success of physical investigation as it is in that of 

 spiritual truth-seeking; and when naturaHsm urges the 



^Nineteenth Century, Feb., 1889, in an article entitled "Agnos- 

 ticism." 



