2 THE GROUNDWORK OF SCIENCE

It is not enough for the true man of science to be

acquainted with many sciences, and to reflect on the know-

ledge he so possesses. The rational mind sooner or later

seeks to know what is the basis of his own knowledge and

the ultimate groundwork of all science. It thus calls for

a science of science, and cannot rest satisfied without a

pursuit of Epistemology, or the study of the grounds of all

the learning the mind of man can acquire.

It is an attempt to satisfy this rational desire to which

the present volume is devoted. Such an attempt appears to

us greatly needed at the present time when every branch

of science is rapidly becoming more and more subdivided.

For the fact of that very subdivision makes a comprehensive

contemplation of science and of nature, as one whole, both

more and more difficult and also more and more requisite

for the satisfaction of the intellect.

Epistemology is a product of mental maturity, individual

and racial ; but, sooner or later, a demand for it is inevitable,

while the attainment of a satisfactory response to that

demand is not only a thing to be pursued for its own sake,

but will be found an aid to the study of every separate

science and an introduction to them all. This science of the

grounds and groundwork of science is one to the study

of which gifted minds are spontaneously impelled, as

ordinary minds are impelled to acquire at least the rudi-

ments of ordinary scientific truth. For all men (not

congenitally defective) are, in fact, forced by a natural and

spontaneous impulse to seek and to acquire some knowledge.

To most, knowledge is pleasurable, while many pursue it

with passion, and find in its possession a perennial source

of happiness.

Amongst the latter are to be found men of the noblest

minds ; for though right action, rather than right thinking,

constitutes the highest human activity, yet the will cannot

It is not enough for the true man of science to be

acquainted with many sciences, and to reflect on the know-

ledge he so possesses. The rational mind sooner or later

seeks to know what is the basis of his own knowledge and

the ultimate groundwork of all science. It thus calls for

a science of science, and cannot rest satisfied without a

pursuit of Epistemology, or the study of the grounds of all

the learning the mind of man can acquire.

It is an attempt to satisfy this rational desire to which

the present volume is devoted. Such an attempt appears to

us greatly needed at the present time when every branch

of science is rapidly becoming more and more subdivided.

For the fact of that very subdivision makes a comprehensive

contemplation of science and of nature, as one whole, both

more and more difficult and also more and more requisite

for the satisfaction of the intellect.

Epistemology is a product of mental maturity, individual

and racial ; but, sooner or later, a demand for it is inevitable,

while the attainment of a satisfactory response to that

demand is not only a thing to be pursued for its own sake,

but will be found an aid to the study of every separate

science and an introduction to them all. This science of the

grounds and groundwork of science is one to the study

of which gifted minds are spontaneously impelled, as

ordinary minds are impelled to acquire at least the rudi-

ments of ordinary scientific truth. For all men (not

congenitally defective) are, in fact, forced by a natural and

spontaneous impulse to seek and to acquire some knowledge.

To most, knowledge is pleasurable, while many pursue it

with passion, and find in its possession a perennial source

of happiness.

Amongst the latter are to be found men of the noblest

minds ; for though right action, rather than right thinking,

constitutes the highest human activity, yet the will cannot