70 New Paths of Physical Knowledge. 



We see that an immense gulf yawns here, into which no 

 Science can ever penetrate. The filling of this gulf is a 

 function not of pure reason, but of practical reason, — it is a 

 matter of common-sense. 



Just as a given cosmic scheme cannot be scientifically 

 established, so we may also be assured that it will survive 

 every attack so long as it agrees with itself and with the 

 facts of experience. But we must not fall into the error of 

 supposing that it is possible to advance, even in the exactest 

 of all Sciences, without the help of any world-image, i. e. 

 without any unprovable hypotheses. Even in Physics, the 

 phrase holds good that "There is no Salvation without 

 Faith," — at least a faith in a certain reality outside ourselves. 

 It is this confident faith which guides the advancing creative 

 impulse, this it is which gives the necessary support to the 

 groping imagination, this which alone can raise the spirit 

 depressed by failure and inspire it to new efforts. An 

 observer who does not allow himself to be led in his work by 

 any hypothesis, however cautious and provisional, renounces 

 beforehand all deeper understanding of his own results. 

 Whoever rejects faith in the reality of atoms and electrons, 

 or the electromagnetic nature of Light-waves, or the identity 

 of Heat and Motion, can never be found guilty of a logical 

 or empirical contradiction, but he will find it difficult from 

 his standpoint to advance Physical knowledge. 



It is true that faith alone does nothing. As the history 

 of all Science shows, it is liable also to lead astray and to 

 issue in narrowness and fanaticism. If it is to be a re- 

 liable guide, it must constantly be tested by the laws of 

 thought and by experience which in the last resort can only 

 be furnished by conscientious and often laborious self-denying 

 solitary work. There is no Prince of Science who is not 

 willing, in case of necessity, to do menial work, whether in 

 the laboratory, the library, in the open air. or at the 

 writing-desk. It is just this hard struggle which ripens and 

 purifies the cosmic view. Only he who has in his own body 

 gone through the process can fully realize its meaning and 

 importance. 



And the Rector of the University concluded his Address 

 as follows : — 



Thus I address myself, finally, particularly to you, dear 

 Comrades, who are about to cross the threshhold of a new term 

 of studies. The gates of our University are open, shortly you 

 will fill the Lecture Halls, and many a grain of seed will be 

 sown afresh, many a plant will approach fruition, fed and nurtured 



