UNDER THE APPLE-TREES 
geologic to the biologic, their mathematics and their 
physics do not go very far. They can analyze many 
of the life-processes and unlock many secrets with 
their mechanical and chemical principles, but they 
cannot account for life itself, they cannot reduce 
vital functions to scientific categories; they cannot 
account for the mind, for consciousness, nor show us 
the relation of thought to matter. Here some sort of 
philosophy is necessary, and here arise the scientific 
philosophers, like Spencer and others, and offer us 
their guesses or interpretations. Each and all take a 
leap in the dark; their science fails them and their 
philosophy comes to their aid. Many of the physical 
objects of life can be dealt with by science, but its 
psychic aspects cannot be so dealt with; a science 
of psychology is impossible. Biophysics are not the 
same as geophysics; there is a new, unknown factor 
to be dealt with. Evolution is not a mere process; it 
is a progress; it is not a circle, but a spiral. 
“Creative Evolution” is likely to live as literature 
even though it should be discredited as philosophy. 
Attacked its philosophy of course will be, and has 
been. But vitalized by such a style and humanized 
by such a spirit so in fellowship with the highest 
emotions and aspirations of the soul, Bergson’s phi- 
losophy, I think, stands a better chance of surviving 
than any other system of our time. It is a proclama- 
tion of emancipation to minds in the bondage of 
materialism and mechanism. It makes free as the 
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