SECTION 22.OBSER VA TION. 283 



investigation and elaboration proves slow and difficult. Then 

 (d) there is the problem of training the memory in order that 

 it should readily respond to the demands made on it. And 

 lastly, (e) a methodological memory is of vital import for rapid 

 methodological thinking. This last point needs to be developed. 

 Many -more or less coherent classifications exist in our day, 

 and through experimental training it might be possible that, 

 given certain terms, most relevant related terms should, in a 

 methodical manner, almost instantaneously appear in conscious- 

 ness. In this way, especially if the process be systematised, 

 and if it be extended to relevant facts, ideas, conclusions, etc., 

 the value of thought may be considerably improved. Even 

 this, however, should not satisfy the methodologist, for we 

 ought to aim at (/) so developing the memory by means of 

 experiment that everything involved in a thought shall be 

 readily evolved by the memory. That this takes place to some 

 extent normally will not be disputed; but if it occurs at all, 

 the conscious perfecting of the process should not meet with 

 insurmountable obstacles. Having successfully trained the 

 memory in this direction, methodological thinking would be, 

 comparatively speaking, lightning-like. 



In our time, because of the subjective seclusion of thought, 

 the memory is relatively unsocial and therefore chaotic; but, 

 once controlled by collectively devised methods, it ought to 

 operate as smoothly and satisfactorily as high-grade machinery. 

 It will be understood, of course, that we assume a memory 

 well-stocked with sifted and organised facts and ideas, and 

 assisted by a series of methodological Conclusions of the type 

 proposed in this volume. 



143. (C) SCIENTIFIC USE OF THE IMAGINATION. 1 The 

 memory has a further important function to fulfil in the course 

 of scientific investigation; "for not only do we require to recall 

 the bare facts specifically examined, but it is desirable to re- 

 collect related facts which might have a bearing on the subject 

 in question and help towards its elucidation. A well-stored and 

 responsive memory is thus of capital importance. In seeking 

 to explain, for instance, the alarming growth of a disease, such 

 as~ appendicitis or cancer, experts have not stumbled on any 

 explanation as the effect of studying actual cases. They, ac- 

 cordingly, seek for environmental influences. Is the disease 

 especially prevalent among the poor or rich, among the 

 educated or uneducated, among heavy or light eaters, among 

 those who consume much or little of particular food-stuffs or 

 beverages, among those who overwork or underwork, among 

 civilised or primitive peoples, and so on? Hasty solutions are 



1 "Nourished by knowledge patiently won; bounded and conditioned by 

 co-operant Reason, Imagination becomes the mightiest instrument of the 

 physical discoverer." (John Tyndall, Scientific Use of the Imagination, and 

 Other Essays, 1872, p. 6.) 



