Introductory Remarks 3 



The work of creation takes place unseen by us in the 

 egg when the embryo or organism is formed. This 

 vital creation occurs always according to a definite 

 plan, and in the opinion of Bernard it is impossible 

 to account for this plan on a purely physicochemical 

 basis. 



There is so to speak a pre-established design of each being 

 and of each organ of such a kind that each phenomenon by 

 itself depends upon the general forces of nature, but when 

 taken in connection with the others it seems directed by 

 some invisible guide on the road it follows and led to the 

 place it occupies. . . . 



We admit that the life phenomena are attached to physico- 

 chemical manifestations, but it is true that the essential 

 is not explained thereby; for no fortuitous coming together 

 of physicochemical phenomena constructs each organism 

 after a plan and a fixed design (which are foreseen in ad- 

 vance) and arouses the admirable subordination and har- 

 monious agreement of the acts of life. . . . 



We can only know the material conditions and not the 

 intimate nature of life phenomena. We have therefore 

 only to deal with matter and not with the first causes or 

 the vital force derived therefrom. These causes are inacces- 

 sible to us, and if we believe anything else we commit an 

 error and become the dupes of metaphors and take figura- 

 tive language as real. . . . Determinism can never be but 

 physicochemical determinism. The vital force and life 

 belong to the metaphysical world. 



In other words, Bernard thinks it his task to account 

 for individual life phenomena on a purely physico- 

 chemical basis — but the harmonious character of the 



