1G2 
mincl to the finite is at the same time its first positive relation to the 
infinite. £ We are near waking when we dream that we dream,’ and the 
consciousness of a limit is already at least the germinal consciousness of that 
which is beyond it. The extreme of despair and doubt can only exist as the 
obverse of the highest certitude, and is in fact necessary to it.” 
Hegel, who was fond of reducing every conception to the last possible 
analysis, says, “ We must decidedly reject the mechanical mode of inquiry 
when it comes forward and arrogates to itself the place of rational cognition 
in general, and when it seeks to get mechanism accepted as an absolute 
category.” He then shows how even the argument from design has been 
vitiated by a mechanical tone.* 
“ Generally speaking, the final cause is taken to mean nothing more than 
external design. In accordance with this view of it, things are supposed 
not to carry their vocation in themselves, but merely to be means employed 
and spent in realizing a purpose which lies outside of them. That may be 
said to be the point of view taken by Utility, which once played a great 
part even in the sciences. Of late, however, utility has fallen into disrepute, 
now that people have begun to see that it failed to give a genuine insight 
into the nature of things. It is true that finite things as finite ought in 
justice to be viewed as non-ultimate, and as pointing beyond themselves. 
This negativity of finite things, however, is their own dialectic, and in order 
to ascertain it we must pay attention to their positive content. 
“Teleological modes of investigation often proceed from a well-meant 
desire of displaying the wisdom of God, especially as it is revealed in 
Nature. Now in thus trying to discover final causes, for which the things 
serve as means, we must remember that we are stopping short at the finite, 
and are liable to fall into trifling reflections. An instance of such triviality 
is seen, when we first of all treat of the vine solely in reference to the well- 
known uses which it confers upon man, and then proceed to view the cork- 
tree in connection with the corks which are cut from its bark to put into the 
wine-bottles. Whole books used to be written in this spirit. It is easy to 
see that they promoted the genuine interest neither of religion nor of science. 
External design stands immediately in front of the idea : but what thus 
stands on the threshold often for that reason gives the least satisfaction.” 
The burden of my paper is to lead up through this external design to the 
idea that lies behind it. And here Hegel has given food for thought in his 
profound saying that “ Objectivity contains the three forms of Mechanism, 
Chemism, and the nexus of Design.” This nexus holds the world and the 
universe together in our intuitive conception. 
* l’ages 2!)1 and 209. 
