366 MIND IN EVOLUTION CHAP. 



with those of that higher organisation of experience which 

 constitutes science. 



We have seen that in the third stage generalisations 

 are made explicit, and becoming explicit, they may be 

 further correlated with one another as well as with fresh 

 perceptions. As this correlation proceeds, loosely or- 

 ganised masses of thought arise. We know that common 

 sense abhors trains of reasoning and abjures close analysis. 

 Nevertheless in our common knowledge ideas already 

 exist in combinations. Tacit combinations they may 

 be, but they are real, as we find from the numbers that 

 rush to the defence when any cherished thought is assailed. 

 The ideas connected with our daily life, our homes, 

 belongings, occupations, politics, form combinations of 

 this kind. We do not reduce them to system, but we 

 might do so if there were an adequate motive to set 

 us to work. But though there are combinations at this 

 stage, they are loose and ill organised, as is sufficiently 

 shown by the contradictions which arise when the 

 generalities of common sense are taken literally as 

 universal truths. Common sense, indeed, tolerates a good 

 deal of contradiction. It does not distinguish very 

 carefully between <c never " and " hardly ever," and tacit 

 saving clauses are part of its stock in trade. For the rest, 

 common sense admits that it does not know everything, 

 and is always ready to live and learn. 



Suppose, however, that instead of tolerating contradic- 

 tions we seek to resolve or explain them. The explanation 

 will have to be found in the drawing of fresh distinctions 

 based upon a more thorough analysis. With this analysis, 

 we are already on the way towards turning our rough 

 generalisations into relatively exact universals. With 

 exact universals to work with, our loose inferences turn 

 into rigid proofs, and we find that we have passed from 

 common sense to science. 



Character of Science. 



The best single term for describing the general 

 character of Science as opposed to common sense is System. 

 Science works the data of experience into a whole of 

 interconnected facts. It may be objected that there is 



