Why Study 25 



were not used until such principle was found. This shows well the 

 inter-relationship of things that men do, no matter how many years 

 apart the doing may be. 



In Biology, which means the Science of Life (Gr. Bios=life+ 

 logos=discourse), we are interested in rinding principles, so that no 

 matter in what position we may be placed in later life, we can always 

 think back, find our principle, and apply it in a thousand and one differ- 

 ent ways. 



The finding of principles, which is real science, must never be con- 

 fused with the application of these principles. 



The former is what is meant by science, while the latter is merely 

 ordinary labor. 



Inventors apply scientific principles; they are, therefore, not 

 scientists. 



Another point to be remembered is that animals (as well as children 

 before they reach the so-called age of reason) learn by doing a thing 

 over and over, until success or failure comes. If success comes, they 

 make such successful endeavor a part of their later life. This is called 

 the trial-and-error method of learning. 



Educated men and women do not try out each and everything, but 

 come to their conclusions by weighing the evidence for and against a 

 principle, and if the principle is found to be worthy of consideration, 

 adjust their actions accordingly. 



This is well illustrated if one finds a man attempting the invention 

 of a perpetual motion machine. It is a well established principle of 

 physics that no more work can be obtained from a machine than is put 

 into it, and even then a little loss must be allowed for on account of 

 friction. All educated men know this law of nature, and consequently 

 do not waste their time on such a fruitless undertaking. But, should 

 any one refuse to accept this principle, there is nothing left but to con- 

 tinue trying and trying, and coming to the conclusion of its uselessness 

 by personal failure. 



The obtaining of principles is then the great work of science. Science 

 itself has had many definitions. Some of the best are : 



"Systematized knowledge." 



"Classified common sense." 



"Checking up ;ind getting rid of one's prepossessions." 



"Knowledge gained and verified by exact observation and correct 

 thinking, especially when methodically formulated and arranged in a 

 rational system." 



In other words, science means a gathering of facts, plus the logical 

 meanings or interpretations of these facts. 



The object or purpose of getting the principles which science thus 

 finds, is to control nature and to prophesy what will occur when given 

 acts are performed.. 



As Biology is the science of life, everything that has anything what- 



