316 . THE GROUNDWORK OF SCIENCE

elements, together with several or a multitude of essentially

distinct energies and also intelligent energy.

But it cannot consist of only one kind of energy, even

if that energy were mind, because we have an intuition of

something extended, and of three dimensions, upon which

intuition all Mathematics repose.

As to the intelligent energy of the universe, apart from that

of its absolute cause, it is conceivable there may be none but

what is human ; but it is also conceivable that there may

be several kinds, or an unimaginable multitude of kinds of

intellectual energy, all essentially different from that of man.

But what, in our opinion, is evidently impossible is the

evolution of intellect from mere physical force, above all the

origin therefrom of our ethical intuitions and our convic-

tions as to necessities and possibilities.

But for the two reasons above given it cannot be declared

absolutely impossible, improbable as it seems to us to be, that

life and mere sensitivity should have been evolved from some

energy underlying what we know as the physical forces.

Nor, as we before pointed out,* is it impossible that the

human intellect may have been evolved from the psychical

power of animals if their psychical powers be essentially and

potentially intelligent. It is possible that intelligent energy

may be latent in animals and only able to actually manifest

itself in a manner far below its intrinsic power, and, on

account of all the conditions present to it, which render it

unable to emerge in thought, into which it would emerge

if a suitable environment were provided. But certainly

animals, so far as we have been able to obtain evidence, show

no signs of possessing such a latent intellectuality, while

they often show what, did they possess it, would be a per-

fectly amazing degree of stupidity.

* See ante, p. 156.

elements, together with several or a multitude of essentially

distinct energies and also intelligent energy.

But it cannot consist of only one kind of energy, even

if that energy were mind, because we have an intuition of

something extended, and of three dimensions, upon which

intuition all Mathematics repose.

As to the intelligent energy of the universe, apart from that

of its absolute cause, it is conceivable there may be none but

what is human ; but it is also conceivable that there may

be several kinds, or an unimaginable multitude of kinds of

intellectual energy, all essentially different from that of man.

But what, in our opinion, is evidently impossible is the

evolution of intellect from mere physical force, above all the

origin therefrom of our ethical intuitions and our convic-

tions as to necessities and possibilities.

But for the two reasons above given it cannot be declared

absolutely impossible, improbable as it seems to us to be, that

life and mere sensitivity should have been evolved from some

energy underlying what we know as the physical forces.

Nor, as we before pointed out,* is it impossible that the

human intellect may have been evolved from the psychical

power of animals if their psychical powers be essentially and

potentially intelligent. It is possible that intelligent energy

may be latent in animals and only able to actually manifest

itself in a manner far below its intrinsic power, and, on

account of all the conditions present to it, which render it

unable to emerge in thought, into which it would emerge

if a suitable environment were provided. But certainly

animals, so far as we have been able to obtain evidence, show

no signs of possessing such a latent intellectuality, while

they often show what, did they possess it, would be a per-

fectly amazing degree of stupidity.

* See ante, p. 156.