T he

Wo r ld a s Im a gi n a t io n
( Se r i es I
)

Edwa r d D o u gla s Fa wc e t t

M A C M IL L A N A N D C C .
,
LI M I T ED

ST . M A R T I N S S T R EE T
’
, LO N D ON

1 9 1 6
 The r e whi h t rt fr m th
is a Myst i cism c s a s o e

t dp i t
s an f tho n d r t di g o d e ly un e s an n , an on

d p rt fr m i t i
e a s f o th t t dp i t
n so ar as a s an o n

sh w i t lf
o st t b se l ti m t b t t p t
no o e u a e, u o os u

l t
a e som thi g b y d i t lf
e n e on se .
”

Pr f r MT R o ess o
‘
AGG A T.

”
a 2 17c

l 3 2J
-" ‘
2 c
 P r e fa c e

I D EA S c oloured by em oti on s
, ru le the world
, .

Th e cris i s thr ough which Eur ope i s p a ssin g i s ,

a b o v e a ll the fruit o f f a l s e ide a s

, fa l se c on cepti on s
o f the s t a n din g o f the in dividu a l of the S ta te , ,

a n d o f t h e me a ni n g of the Wo rld S y stem reg a rded

-

a s a wh ole S oon er or la ter a rec on structi on of

.

phil osophic a l religi ou s ethic a l etc beliefs in the

, , , .
, ,

in terest s of o ur s elve s a n d o ur succe ss ors will be ,

impera tive The World a s Ima gi n a ti on i s simply

.

a n experime n t i n thi s directi on ; th a t of betterin g

th ought a b out the m ore imp orta n t pr oblem s o f l ife .

Experimen t s of t h e ki n d will be n umer ou s a n d in ,

the en d let u s h o pe on e or some of them will hit

, ,

the m a rk .

K C
ES WI K , Ju ly 19 16 .
 Content s

Pa r t I

INTRODUCTION

Ex p ri m
e en t a l p
meta hysi cs
Ph ilosoph y a nd Reli gi on
‘

On th e a dv a n ce con te p
m la t ed i n t h e pr esen t essa y

Hy p oth esi s of t h e Cosmi c Ima gi n a ti on

Di fficulties a h ea d
Meth od of di scussi on
Adv a n t a ges of a n p r m th d A d ri k !e m i i ca l e o . n a s

W r r h r t th Hyp th ti l d d ti m th d
e e cu e e o e o e ca - e uc ve e o ,

i n so f w h ll r q i r
a r as m th d
e s a i ly e u e a e o c on sc ous

f ll w d
o o e

I t i ti
n u d Hyp th i
on a n o es s

Ca se f tho ll g d p ri r
e a e ill mi i ti
e i
su e o or u n s c n

t i ti
u rifi d d i tr d d i t phil phy
on a s v e e an n o u ce n o oso

F rt h r d
u e l pm t t b
ev e o t t mp t d i t h
en s
y o e a e e n e essa

F wh t m y I h p
or a a o e

Th m e fP i mi m
en a ce o e ss s

Phi l ph y d i t l g g
oso an s an ua e

Th R m
e o f M t phy i
a n ce o e a s cs

Our t k i t hi fir t
as n y f s ri s e ssa o a se es

CHAPTER I
ON THE G ROU N D or AP P EAR AN CES OR P H N OM N
E E A

§ 1 Th e
. Gr ou n d of A pp r ea a n ces or Ph en omen a
Th e m ea ni n gs for us of ulti ma te a nd a ll

i n clu si v e
2 . Nihili sm a nd i ts rej ecti on of a Gr ou nd
 CON TENTS
P AG E
§ 3 . Philoso h y p and r ligie fr d t on a re o ce o ad mi t th e
re a li t y of so m Gr e d Gr dou n or ou n s

§ 4 . V ri ti
a e es of phi l phi l i t rpr t ti
oso ca n e e a on s of th e
Gr d ou n ( or Gr d ) O pr d r
ou n s . ur oc e u e in t h ei r
r g rd
e a

CHAPTER II
ON HYPO H T R PR N V H YPO H
ESIS AN D S OM E E ES E TATI E T E S ES AS TO

THE CH R C R AG RO U N
A TE RO U N OF THE D OR G DS

Hyp th i o d i d ti i q i ry
es s a n n uc ve n u

Hyp th i o d Im gi i
es s a n a n a t on

Hyp th i o d fi ti es s a n c on s

Hyp h otC mm d Pr p i ti
ese s, d C mm
o an - o os on s , a n o a nd

C p
on ce ts
Wh i m gi l r ti ff t h r
at a na c ea on e ec s e e

M h m i
at e d C mi Im gi i g
a t cs a n os c a n n

Tr h yp th
ue d t lw y
o rt r l r l ti
e ses o no a a s a sse ea e a on s

i r li ty
n ea

l . MATERIALIS M AN D ALLIED HY PO H T ES ES

Th e Fa lla cy of Ma t eria lis m

Th e u t ili t y of r
ma t e i a li sti c w a ys of k
t hi n i n g i n
s ci en ce is n o v i n di ca ti on o f th ei rw r o t h a s m et a
ph y i s cs

M tt r i
a ei m gi l r ti f
s an w a na c ea on o our o n

m ki g a n

M t ri li m h
a e af d N t r wi th M tt r
s a s c on u se a u e a e

O F r
n F r
o ce orr g rd d Ulti m t R lity
o ces e a e as a e ea

F r o ce i mm d pt
s a co an -c on ce

O n E rgy Ultim t R li ty
ne as a e ea

E rgy
ne t th t ff f whi h t h
no i r e s u o c e u n v e se

i t
c on s s s

Wh t it i
a s

O t f wh t t ff i t h
u o a pt f E rgy
s u s e c on ce o ne

r td
,

c ea e

E rgy
ne d g ti m t ph y i
an a n os c e a s cs
 CO NTEN TS

CHAPTER III
ON S OM E R PR
E ES EN TATI E H YPO H
V T E S ES AS TO THE CH R C R
A A TE

OF THE GRO U N G ROU N (

D OR DS con ti n ued )

2 S C HO L
. C TH M ASTI EIS

Th e Th ei sti c Hyp th i o es s

S ch ola sti c a n o e d th r f rm f Th i mo s o e s

In si n cere di scu ssi on s

Th e a lleged testi m on y of Fa i th a nd In tui ti on
Th e hi st o i c r c a se for S ch ola sti c Th ei sm
The On t ologi ca l Ar gu men t
Th e Cosmologi ca l A gu men t r
Th e Teleologi c a l or D esi gn A gu men t r
On Imma n ent r w C ti g t
as c on t a ste d i th on n en

D ig es n

F tili ty f
u o
y p i b
an l r g m t fr m
oss mi r l
e a u en o ac e

C l di g r fl ti
on c u n e Th i m
ec on s o n e s

R w m t ri l f th C
a a e a pt f P r l G d
o e on c e o a e so n a o

Ch a n ce a nd t h Di i P r e li t y v ne e s on a

L oss o f th ld h l ti Th i m
e o sc t w rth
o as r gr t
c e s no o a e e

Th e God of th e En li gh t en e d

3 . AG NO C S TI IS M

Agn osti c met a h ysi cs p

Agn osti c Ph en omen a li sm
It sf d m t l h yp th i i t pp rt d by
un a en a o es s s no su o e

p ri
ex e en ce

It r l ti
s e a t i d li t i N h h m
on o ea s c i i s

Ag ti i m
n os d H rb rt S p
c s an r e e en c e

Hyp th i
o t i th d f it
e s s c on a n s w d tr t i e se e s o s o n es uc on

Wh t th ll g d U k w bl
a e a e e d th ph n no a e an e en o

m en at d t b m
en o e co e

4 PLU R L CR L M
. A ISTI EA I S

13 . Th e new Pl r li m d i t i fi i t ly
u a s m ran l i s n n e nu e ou s u t
m t r li ti
a e ea es

§ 14 . N t pl r li ti
o b t i d li ti
u a s R li m i t h l t
c, u ea s c, ea s s e as

w rd o
 CONTEN TS

CHAPTER IV
ON S OM E R PR N
E ES E TATI H YPO H
VE T ES E S AS T O THE CH ARA TE C R
o n THE G RO U N G RO U N
D OR DS ( con ti n u ed )

1 Idea li sm
p ri mpl h r t r f
.

My s en ti en t th ex e e n ce sa es e c a ac e o

R li ty t l rg ea a a e

A pt f p y hi l r li ty i ly C m
c o n ce o n on - s c ca ea s on a o

m dC pt whi h mi rr r thi g i th
an - on c e c o s no n n e

i r un v e s e

Id li m m t b r li ti
ea s us e ea s c

Why m fi d di ffi l ty i
so b li i g th t ll
e n a cu n e ev n a a

i t t p y hi l
e x s e n s a re s c ca

Th y f e d ry
c o n u se p l N t r wi th
a se co n a con ce tua a u e

N t r it i t
a u e as lly p i d s a c ua er ce v e

Th C r — G t b k t E p ri
e u e e ac o x e en ce

Th M t t rh r e p r i d ld b d pli t d
a e o n as e ce v e c ou e u ca e

tly i
e xa c d mi g p i n d mi tt dl y
a r ea n ex er ence a e

p y hi l s c ca

Wh t i m t by th t t m t th t th M tt rh r
a s ea n e s a e en a e a e o n

i i t lf
“
i t ex s s n se

5 L BN . EI HYP O H ITZ H MO N
AN D THE T ES IS OF T E AD S

2 D fi i ti
. e f th M
n d
on o e on a

O i d bt d
ur t L i b i tz
n e e n ess o e n

E p ri x d e t rify th hyp th i f th
en ce oes no ve e o es s o e

m d on a s

L i b i t — d ft r
e n z an a e

6 CL FFOR
. I H HYP O H D AN D TM E T ES IS OF IN D S TU FF

3 A h m i d li m r ll y
. s a f rm f M t ri li m
ea s , ea a o o a e a s

Th F ll y f S i mpli i ty
e a ac r gi o c ov e a a n

7 S CHOP NH U R
. HYPO H
E A W LL E A N D THE T ESIS or I

Why S h p h r pp d t h t Ulti m t R li ty
c o en aue su ose a a e ea

i Will s

S h p h r tt k th Ab l t
c o en aue f ll t h
a ac s e so u e o a e

P rf ti e ec ons

Wh y i th i i bl p rt f H s e i th m i
v s e a o ea v e n , n e a n,

Hell
 t h e

CONTE NTS

Th e r ry f P i mi m
co oll a o e ss s

S h p h r h f r d phil phy t f t h i l
c o en au e as o ce oso o a ce e ev s

f li f
o e 83
E p ri
x e d t rify th Hyp th i f th Will
e n ce oe s n o ve e o es s o e 83
S h p h r— d f t r
c o en au e an a e 84

H G L
E EH HYPO H A ND T H LO C L I E T ESIS or T E GI A D EA

R ON OR EAS

§ 5 . Hegel a nd the cul t of th e Noti on

A fun da me n ta l a ssu p
m ti on
Bi rth f th Di l ti
o e a ec c

H g l
e e ti
’
s pt no on s or con ce s a nd the c o n ce pt s of

rdi ry thi ki g
o na n n

H g l w f ll y w r f th f Bergso n
’
e e as u a a e o e u n c ti o n s o f s

ph t
sn a pt s o c o n ce

A th r
re p r i bl
e e su pt e se n s e c o n ce s

§ 6 . O H
N T M N H O R C L IN
E AI IS T I A F LU E NC CON RES T IBUT OR Y
To HEG EL ’
S S YS TEM
( 1) T r a di ti o n a li s m fr o m Gr ee ce

G e n e si s o f th e n ot i o n a l A b solu t e th a t 1s a b ov e ti me

( 2 ) The ry f th t g
s to o e ca e ori es

H m
u br kd w
e s
’
ea o n

K t f il r t m t th di ffi lti r i d
an
’
s a u e o ee e cu es a se

Th t g ri
e ca e ft r K t o es a e an

Obj ti t K t d t ri t g ri
’
ec on s f th o an s oc ne o e ca e o es

K t f d m t l rr r whi h r t d ll f
an
’
s un a en a e o c c ea e a ca or

th t g ri
e ca e o es

F r gl m
o e f t h p t K ti
ea s tr tm t
o f th e os - an an ea en o e

t g ri
ca e o es

Th t g ri
e ca e tr m t d by Fi h t
o dH g l
es a s ans u e c e an e e

L gi l R li m i i t bl
o ca ea s n ev a e

(3 ) Di a lecti c
The m e a ni n g of di a lecti c
Di alecti c 1s a
“
r
u ni v e s a l a n d i rr i ti bl p w r es s e o e

Ho w i s the di alec ti c r l t d t p r th h t
e a e o u e ou g

THE S YS TEM
7 . O bj ec ti v e Idea lism
How H g l pl i
e e ex a ns Na tu re
Lo gi ca l Re a li s m e n t hr o n e d
x iv CONTENTS

TH E CULT OF THE NOTION OR CO NC P E T OR LOGICAL

8 . Th e cul t of th e N oti o n c riti ic sed

A b ti t t f t
n oti on a s su s u e ac

Why m t d t b li en p r i bl
en o e e v e In su e s en s e n o ti on s

Ori gi f th pt f B i ‘‘ ”
n oti e no on or c on c e o e ng

Did H g l d l wi th p r
e e ti ea u e no on s

Wh y r di l mpi ri i m r j t B i g
a ca e c s e ec s e n

THE TIM EL ES S A B S OLUTE THE NOTION TH E

, , B OLU
A S TE

ID EA , THE LOGIC AL G RO U N D

9 . Hegel s A ’
b s olu t e u n s a ti s a cto f ry
A n i gh t m r a e of i ma gi ni n g
A logi ca l-n oti on al Idea i s t oo st e ile r
Th e Idea a s i ma gin al !
Th e Idea as we pr p o os e to con cei v e it
U seless n e ss o f t h Abe s olu t e t o th e w r hi pp r
o s e

Is ti melessn ess a c on ce pt ual fi ti c on

10 . Th e c a t ego ri es

Th e o ri gi n al mi st a k b
e a ou t the ca t ego ri es

11 . r
Na tu e a n d se nti ent lif e
Logi c a s a ppli ed i n Na tu re a n d sen tient li fe
Con ti n gen cy cov e s r ma n y su rpri se s !
S tra n ge a ppli d l gie o c

12 Th e di a lec ti c

ti w t t rt !
.

’
Th e di a le c c on s a

Bi e ng is no t p r u e

You ca nn o t q e t Bi g
ua e e n a nd n on - Bi
e n
g
Nothi n g or Big i
n on - e n s a Comma n d -Con ce t p
DIAL EC TIC IN LOGIC
13 . Logi c a l pr o cess c on ce n s r o n ly i n di vi du a l r ea son e s r
with i t r n e es t s

DIAL ECTIC IN NATU RE

14 O bj e cti v e di a le c ti c
k l
.

Fi ni t e e xi sten t s , ta en by th e mse v e s, a re s t a ti c o r

fs el r -c on se v i ng

N t r l pr
a u a o cess n ot di a lec ti ca l
 C O NTE N T S

DIAL ECTIC N PH LO OPHY M N

IN THE HEGELIA I S or I D

15 . Th l gi l rd r f th
e o ca t g rio fl t d
e o e ca e o es ou e

P y h l gi l m tt r m t b i tr d
s c o o ca d a e us e n o u ce

Wh y ti g y pr
c on i l n en c ev a s

E mpl
xa f t h ghes r iti whi h mp l
o ou t -t ans on s c co e

r rt t p y h l gy
es o o s c o o

Di l ti
a ec i di t d
c n ot n ca e

Wh t i h r l ti f di l ti t mp ti g
a s t e e a on o a ec c o co e n

h yp th o ese s

AN O H R ALL T D L C C L TR N O N
E E G ED IA E TI A A S ITI

Th e di l ti f pri t pr p rt y
a ec c o va e o e

N o i dw lli g t d
n y e t w r
n d en en c ou a s

O ur fir t ti f th Im gi l Pri i pl f Cr i
s no ce o e a na nc e o e a t on

16 . H g l h li ttl i t r t i th i di i d l
e e as e n e es n e n v ua

9 H G L N M . A R E E I A IS AND FT E

17 . H g l gr t r i
e e
’
s t th ea gh t se v ces o ou

S h lli g r
c e n hi lt f R
en oun ce s s cu o ea son

Br dl y will t pt Tr th Ultim t R li ty
a e no ac ce u as a e ea

ON H YP O H
THE M G N L RO U N
T ESIS OF THE I A I A G D-fl HE
M G N L I — CO M C M G
A I A ON ID EA OR S I I A IN ATI

H g l
e e p ri m t f th I r g rd d ti l
’
s ex e en o e D EA e a e as no on a

Th p ri m t f h I r g rd d i m gi l
e ex e en o t e DEA e a e as a na

Th C mi Im gi ti
e os c a na on

O p ri m t m f g d pr mi
ur e x e en see s o oo o se

Th ght i
ou th f r
, ni d ry e sen se o ea so n , s a secon a

ph m en o en on

H w
o i w t d t p p l ri
ou r v e phil phy en s o o u a se oso

Im gi l gr p
a na as

Im gi ti
a nad p i ti on a n ex os on .

H m i w f i m gi ti m gi l f
’
u e s v e o l y a na on a s a a ca a cu t
It i m r th
s i l t d
o e f lt y h w r an an so a e a cu .
”
o ev e

ma gi ca l
xv i CONTENTS
P AG E
§ 8 . Br dl y r q i r m
a e
’
s e u e ent s a nd the hy p o th esis of the
Cosmi c Ima gi n a tion
A r ply d pr mi
e an a o se

Th e A b l t — th O R li t y
so u e d th r l e ne ea an e un e a

app r ea a n ce s

Th p rpl i ti
e e f th b li r i th Ab l t
ex es o e e ev e n e so u e

App r ea a n ces ly rd t a re our o n a ssu e a s se s

App r ea a n ces t b il d b cann o e a ss a e eca u se

t r di t ry
c on a c o

Th Ab l t
e ff r t hi g t
so u e o ti m t e s no n o se n en

Pr li mi ry t t m t f t h h yp t h i
e na f th C I
s a e en o e o es s o e .

( Cosmi c Ima gi n a ti on )
Th e C I does . n ot i n clu de n o ti o n s sa v e in so fa r
as i t i n clude s fi ni t e s en ti e n ts

Wh en t h e i ma gi n al a ct i s th e f a ct

g 16 . We crea te a s does t he C L, bu t on a n i mmea su r bly

a

w rl
lo e ev el

17 . Th r i
e e s n othi n g in Na t u r e whi ch li es by
e on d the
r hea c es o f i ma gi n a ti on
How i ma gin a ti on r ev e a ls i tsel f In i ts very h g c an es

18 . Th e C I . . i s t h e Po wr e v a gu ely a ppr h d d
e en e by
rt i my ti
ce a n s cs

My ti s ig pcs as s n - o sts !
Th p hi l
e ph r oso e s, a lso , ca n r r th i r
to t u e e v a gue
“
i n tui ti on s
Illu mi nism is n ev e r ffi i a su c e n t su pp rt f o or a sta te

ment of phil oso p hy

19 . Why t he n a me Cosmi c Ima gi n a ti on i s so a ppropri a t e
The C I i s . e mo ti on a l in an e mi n en t sen s e

A v a lu a bl e clu e

20 . Th e F r ee do m of the
Ima gi n al suc cess excludes n ece ssi ty
2 1 The . fi ti f tim lc on o e e ssn e ss

Th C I e d ti m
. . an e

A i mp rt t
n ti o an ca u on .

22 . Hi t ry f t h h yp th i f th C s
s o mi
o e o es s o e o c Ima gina tion
A thi g f hr dn d p t h o s e s an a c es

23 . K t an d th pr d ti i m gi ti
an e o uc ve a na on

Fi h t
c m f rw rd
e s
’
ov e o a

24 . Froh sch a mm er and Ph a n ta si e

Pha n tasi e an d t he c a t ego ri es
 CON TE NT S XV l l

P AG E
Ph a n ta si e is o n ly on e o f th e ulti m a tes , a pri n

ci ple of mov eme nt a n d co n st u c ti o n r

N ov e lty di sa llo wd e

A su b rdi t o i na e y m pri ipl

t p hy inc e n a s nc e r ti ti s c e a s cs

Sh k p r
a es ea e

Th p t B l k
e oe a e

Th e l h m pi
so e f i m gi
c tia d q t on o a na on as a e ua e

Gr d f ph m i g r l
ou n o en o en a n en e a

If w w r i mm r d i th i m gi l fl
e e e e se n e a na ux

A n a p rc f Eliph L i
e u o as ev

Ip r ie ce v etr t hi g Wh y ? ue n s .

Fr m Bl k B mi g t B rg
’
o dl a e s en es s e co n o e son

B rg h mi d hi pp rt i ty
e son as ss e s o o un

Hi W rld Gr
s d
o gh t t- h b oun t i ou o av e ee n , n o an n

d t rmi Li f b t i m gi ti ”
e e t na e e, u a na on

B g d gr t rr r
’
er son s secon ea e o

Th d li ti
e p t f Li f
ua s c as d M tt r ec s o e an a e

Th e Lif th t tr l e M t t r r ll a con o s a e e ca s v on

H rt m a Id whi h dir t th Will

a nn s
’
ea c ec s e

N t i t lf i th th t r f
a ur e se i t s i mm te ea e o an n e n se a n en

30 . Why m pr mpt d t mph i r i t

en a re o e o e a s se es s a n ce

ori rt i i di
ne i g N t r
a n scu ss n a u e

Th t whi h d t h r i ti g i i t lf i rt
'

31 . a c t o es e es s n s no In se an ne

t ff b t p y hi l lif !
s u , u s c ca e

32 . Bl k t d l
a e s an s a o ne

CHAPTER II
ON C R N MPOR E TAI PC I CO M C TAN T A S E TS OF THE S I

M G N I O N C ON
A I ATIR P R LY S ID E ED S E A AT E

Mill l ifi ti
’
s c ass f ll N m bl Th i g
ca on o a a ea e n s

A p y h l gi l i d li m i i mpli d
s c o o ca ea s s e

Eli mi ti g t h w rd
na n Mi d e o n

D bl ri k i l d i th
ou e s f th t rm
nv o v e n e use o e e

A P C H CI
S E TS OF T 1 CO N C O U N E . . S I S ES S

§ 2 . Th e cosm t l rg i t h t ff fr m
os a a tr e s no s u o o ou r c en es

o f i lif
con sc ou s e

C i
on s c ou sn es s a n d t t t h tw b i p t con en as e o as c as ec s

of t h e Co smi c Ima gi n a ti on
XVIII CONTENTS

Neither a sp ect is reduci ble to th e oth er

Thu s ou s r is a su bj e cti v e -o bj ecti v e Ideali sm , an

i dea listi c Re a li sm
Th e r e is no c rypti c Su b st a n ce
Th eo i es b t r i a ou co n sc ou sn ess

I i t m tt r i m t
s a e n o l on

I its t rm a e

I its r l ti Th ry f Willi m J m
a e a on eo o a a es

Wh t J m p rh p h d i mi d
a a es, e a s, a n n

B g i w
’
er so n s v e

D on t ’
t ry to sa y th a t con sci ou s n ess is or r esem bl
es

methi n g else
so

How t o n o hat k ww con sci ou sn ess is

L ea di n g p t t hu o e solu ti on

Th e und rlyi g e n con ti nui t y

Wh at we ca n sa y of con s ci ou sn e ss

Wh y con tinui ty so r
la gely di sa pp r fr ea s o m Na ture
Con sci ou sn ess i s n ot e v olv ed

Con sci ou sn ess a s a u ni v e sa l r

Th e C I i s . n ot a pr e s on a l g od
Th e Ima gi n a l E p ri
x e en ce ca n n ot be desc i rb d e

a de qu a tely

We a re n ot ye t full y con sciou s

Th e r e is no fi ld f e or th e u se of th e t e ms r su pr
e

a nd su pr a con sci ou s

Is th e a t eleologi ca l u ni ty
Aga in st th e vie w th a t Cosmi c Ex p ri
e en ce mu st
be fi itn e or li mi t ed by a n on -Ego

But wh t a ca ll t o su o se pp a n on -Ego of a ny

so rt —
Fi ch te
The c on sci ousn ess of th e is n ot co n di ti on ed

rily by
n ecess a Eg a n on - o

C ldou pr m p r a i l d ll
su th r e e e so n
“
nc u e a o e

ti t 7
sen en s

Why m m li g t b li f i
so e p r l Gr d
en c n o e e n a e s on a ou n

Th ie l f ti r pt th th t f p r l
s a o e c on c e an a o a e son a

Gr d ou n

A d fi it g d
n a
g d m n
y b i
e l d d i toh C I or o s a e nc u e n e

b i
.

Th e su con sc ou s

A r f f ll y
sou ce o a ac

Th m r ly
e i e e sc ou s
XX CONTENTS

An illumi n a ti v e exa p
m le of wi lli n g
Th e to t a lwilli g f fi it ti t i gr t n o n e se n en s s a ea

p w r i th im gi l r ti
o e n e a na c ea on

Id m t r eo - ti d wh t i i mpli d
o o ac on a n a s e

Di i f th pr bl m f fi i t fr d m i
scus s on o li e o e o n e ee o n vo

ti d f rr d
on e e e

AS PE C TS OF THE CI . 3 . THE As R
S UP E LO GI C AL

1s . Wh at we mea n by s a yi n g t h a t th e is n ot

logi cal
Hegeli a ni sm ca n nt bo e modi fi d s ti lly
e e sen a

We h av e got ri d of Re ason , b t wh t f pr
u a o o ces ses

r
o f e a son i ng

Th e C I . . r
a s c o n se v a ti v e IS a b r ig
ov e ea son n

In wh at li es the h o p e of a p rf t d r t di
e ec un e s an n g of

th e U n i v e se r .

Th e ri se a n d v a lu e of r e a son i ng

Rea son i n g i n a th eo eti ca l i n te es t r r

. . r
Th e C I , ea son i n g a n d Rea son
19 . On u n clea r t hi n i n g k wh i h l b l
c a e s the U ni v e se r
“
r a ti on a l

We lose n othin g of worth to S tim

en en t l n deth r on i n g

Re a son
An d we ga i n h ea v ily by e nthr onin g t he
W h a t we a r e t o me a n by Reason a n d logi c h en ce
fr o th
i
Th C I i e p rr ti l p rl g l
. . s su e a on a , su e o ca

I wh t w y
n it ba id t b ra bl ca n e sa o e ea son a e

O rd r whi h
n o id t b
e s t mp r lc a re s a o e n on - e o a

Th C I ed my ti l i igh t . Aw r i g
an s ca ns . a n n

T yl r a th o b t ti g i f t h m r m y ti
on e e se n S n o e e e s c

Th i d lly pr p r d my ti
e ea e a e s c

Phil ph r whoso l my ti e s o a re a so s cs

A P C S E TS OF THE 4 T CI R G . HE . . IN THE E AR D or

IMM N P URP O CO M C EMO O N

A EN T S E AN D S I TI

§ 22 W h
. e pl f th b li f i
av e no i a ce or e e e n u n co n sc ou s

p rp u o se

Fi h t cri f ’
i
e s v e s on o p rp u n con sc ou s u ose

Hi m r l rd r
s b rd i d l f ti
o a o e an a su ea o ac on
 CONTEN TS

Th e is b est te rm d p rm r l
e su e o a

Divi n e egoism or
THE C I . . IN PU RPO SI E V C R EATI E V EVOLU TIO N
B rg
e r ti
son on c ea l ti v e ev o u on

Th W rld Gr
e odi t l ly r ti
- ou n s no so e c ea ve

Im gi ti
a na t m r B rg
on , n o i Li f a i t e e e son a n e, s a

w rk— pl y !
o or a

Th e pl f y p anr ti l r W r ld
o sy —t anm a cu a o s e

I wh t m r t h pl i f r r d i d i ”
n a a nn e e an s o eo a ne n

wh t t a no

I wh t
n a th pl i r
sen s e bl e an s ea son a e

Why w rld pl a t i
o m h th t i
- an ll d c on a n s s o uc a s ca e

r bl
un eas on a e

Th r f th b h ti di rd f N t r d
e sou ce o e a cc an c sco s o a u e, an

ti t lif
s en en e

I th i r w m
n e r o n a n ne

Why W rld Sy t m t th
a o t t i i m y
s e a e ou se s, n an

r p t ightm r f m gi i g
es ec s , a n a e o I a n n

Th C I i
e t . mpr mi d by th i f r
. s no co f o se e n e n os o

r ti
c ea on .

Th e comp ti ensa on

TH C I E L O H . .A , C V S
A S , AS A N
“
FFE TI E ID E

O CO M C EMO ON
.

N S I TI

A m r ly e e g i ti li f d co n id f ff ti idve e, ev o o an a ec ve s e,

ti f t ry
u n sa s ac o

A n ul ti m t Gr d d a e i d f m ti ou n r rw , ev o o e o on , a sca e c o

f t h gh t
o ou

O ur o w ff ti lif
n a d it m ec i g ve e an s ea n n

Th tr l p i t f i t r t
e ce n a o n o n e es

Th e ff tia id ecf th ve r g rd ds e o e e a e as an

ti i t y f r t f l
ac v t t o es u c on en

Th ff ti id f th
e a ec i
ve s f it i m i
e o e n so ar as s an

f t d i
es e r ti p i d n c ea ve e so es

Th I e w
D EA r m f it lf e a v es a o a n ce or se

All fi i t n p ri e ex t f emi l A
en ce s a re no o cos c v a ue

gi g f r li t y ry
.

sca v en n o ea 18 n e ce ssa

Th C I
e Im gi l I
. . or t t rm t d by d i r
a na D EA 1S n o o en e es e

wh i t r t en c e a es

Th I e rti t t pl y
D EA as a n a s a a
xxii CO NTEN TS

THE C I . . AND B EAU T Y

24 . Th e b rtr
e a u t i ul a n d f i ts li te a u e

Th e m i g f th l b l
ea n n b t if l o e a e eau u

Th e supr m t d rd f th b tif l
e e s an a o e ea u u

Th e d f t f fi it
e ec s o th t i p ri n e aes e c ex e en ce

DVN CO M C LOV I I E OR S I E

§ 25 . Th e C mi os B ty whi h i l c ea u c s a so L ov e—th e
su pr m m ti l r lity
e e e o on a ea

CHAPTER III
ON C R N MP O R N P C
E TAI I TA T AS E TS OF THE C I . . CON R
S ID E ED

P R LY ( S E A ATE con ti n ued )

5 . THE C I . .
, TIM E AN D S P AC E
1 . Ti me and S p a c e a re o n ly a s p ec t s of th e c o n t e n t of

th e C I .

Th e pr bl m f tim
o e s o e a nd s pa ce c o m p l phil phy
e a oso

to d l r i t lf
ec a e se

f
’
The ev ép yet a d
‘ -
u n o ag a
n ga i n

Ti melessn ess is a fi ti c on

Th e as p e ct s of ti me . Br a e t i me , dev oi d of a fill
in g , me r ly
e a h u ma n in v en ti on
The con t e n t o f th e C . I . con cei v ed a s sta ti c , is n ot

ti mele ss
”
; it e n du es r
Thi s i s n ot t h e D urée Réelle di scu ssed by B rge son

How con sci ou sn e ss , a lli ed with co n te n t , i s th e sou c er

of th e f u n da m e n t a l f rmo of ti me
S ta ti c t i me a n d ti me su ccessi on -

Bergson
’
s r ea l du r a t i on a n d i ma gi n a l r
c ea ti on

ON TH E REAL ITY AN D M EANIN G OE TIM E -S U CC ES S I ON

2 . S pin oz a a nd th e r ev olt a ga i n st t i me -su ccessi on
Th e p t K ti r ti li t d S h p h r
os - an an a on a s s an e v en c o en au e

t t k t h r li t y f ti m
a ac i e ea o e -su ccess on

B i w
’

q t
o sa n ue s v e

Tim i i th
e -su cc es s on FORM CR ON d s e OF EATI an

b l g t th r li ty f im gi l U i r
e on s o e ea o an a na n v e se
 CONTENT S xxiii
PAG E
To thi n k w y tim
a a e -su cc essi on i s, t h e rfr
e o e, to g rw
o

diffi cul ti es . Illustra ti on s sh o wi ng t hi s to be th e

c a se

On t h e w th t th r m y b diff r t di r ti
Vi e a e e a e e en ec on s

f ti m
o i e -su ccess o n

Th b l f i
e se a re a se ess a n c es

B rg g ie son a a n

Ri d r f th i m gi l hyp t h i
e o e a na o es s

Wh y mi g f p l g ti m l rd r 2 ‘
a s ee n o a ssa e a on a e e ss o e
g

§ 3 TM . CORR UP O
I E AS E R Y
A
“
TI N OF TE NIT

TH N w
E S P C OU P R N
o OR F S N N E I S
”
ES E T OF IN IT E E TIE TS

C ti i ty
on d th
nu p i pr t
an e 248 s ec ou s es en

Th g e i pr t r i i m r
enu n e i
e se n s u v v es n a a n ne ev en n

th p i e pr t s ec ou s esen

Th m pr mi
e co o se .

( 1) I th ti m pr i fi it fii t 2 ‘
s e -
e o cess n n e or n e

( 2 ) A i t i t t i fi i t ly di i i bl
re s ns a n s t n n e v s e or n o

M r ly e e p t l t r t m t f ti m i t h b t r t
c o n ce ua ea en s o e n e a s ac

f t il
a re u e

St p f h g e s o c an e

C mi Im gi i g
os c d t p f h g
a n n an s e s o c an e

I wh t th t r
n a ti i t y f h
e g i t
u e c on nu o c an e c on s s s

THE PAS T

B rg
e son o n th e p as t

Is th e r e a mi c m e mo ycos r
You ca n n ot fin d oo m for t h e r pr r ese v a t i o n of the
p a stif you i den ti fy r li t y w it h t h
ea e flu x or

t i me -flow
Th e p
wh t h p d i t t h t b l
a st a s a as a ss e n o e s a e or

r ti id f C mi Im gi i g
c on se v a ve s e o os c a n n

I th p t lt r bl
s e as a e a e

Th r e ry f th g i pr
e c ov e o e enu n e e s en t

Th m t h m ti i
e b l t ti m
a e h ma c ans
’
a so u e e a u an

i ti
n v en on

Wh t th p bli
a mm e i m pr ui c or co on t e- o c ess s

TH C I SP C E . . AN D A E

§ 6 Wh t p i ta S a ce s no

Wh t i t i
.

a s
xxiv CONTEN TS
P AG E
Th e i dea li sm whi h m k p pri t t r l c a es s a ce va e o ou se v es

an d t h r fi it o ti t e n e sen en s

L i b it
e n K t z v . an

C mi
os p c s i m g i l t ri mp h
a ce a s a n ti a na u or In v e n on

A b li f i
e e r t mi p in c o n c e e c os ry t th c s a ce s n e cessa o e

un d r t di g f th w rld
e s an n o e o

Is S p id r d
ac e . con s t di g t w rd fr m e e a s e x en n ou a o a

gi p i
v en t i fi i t N o n , n n e o

I p
S s i d r d i w rdl y i fi i t
a ce , co n s N e e n a , n n e o

Th e p rd r i d t h
s a c e -o t t f e w nv a es e c on e n s o ou r o n

p y hi l li
s c ca v es

Th t t l p ti l
e o a t rd r
s tr t d wi t h
a a con ten -
o e a s c on as e an

ba b lt p
s tract a so u e s a ce

Ab l t p
so u e s t r q ir d a ce no e u e

Pla ne at ry r t ti d b lt p o a on a n a so u e s a ce

Ab l t p tr m r d ripti ’
so u e s d a ce an as on o e s esc on s

K t d th p wh l
an an e s a ce - o e

N i th r t h K t i
e e bj ti i t p
e th
an an su ec v s s a ce n or e

b l t p f r li m
a so u e s ll d rifi bl
a ce o ea s , so -ca e , a re v e a e

Th e r l p wh l ea
”
s a ce - o e

6 THE C I
. . . AS IN FINIT E THE MULTIPLE S U B ORDINATE
.

WO RL D- S YS TEMS As FINITE THROUGHO UT

7 The C I
. . fi i t fi it
.
, is it in n e or n e

Th m ri l i fi i t
e nu e ca n n e

A th r m
no e i g f i fi it ea n n o
“
n n e

D es cart th g ti i fi i t d th p i ti i
es e ne a ve n n e an e os ve n

fi i t th
n e p rf t r lity e on e e ec ea

H g l
e e d th i fi i t
an e n n e

I wh t
n a t h C I i i d bi t bly i fi i t
s e n se e . s n u a n n e

B t
u it a re t t li mi t d i ki d
s c on e n sd q ti ty e n n an uan

All p i bili ti
os s f t t t t l i th
es o c on e n a re n o a c ua n e

Th i fi i ty f th C I i r p t f
e n n o t t e . n es ec o c on e n

Th C rt i
e a i fi it g i
es a n n n e a a n

S mm r y f r l t
u a o e su s

N m ri l fi i t
u e ca f t t i t im p li d
n e n es s o co n en s s no e

A y
n f th
on e o b rdi t W rld Sy t m fi i t e su o na e o s e s IS n e

t hr gh ou t ou

A W rld S y t m m t
o - t b i d r d i t h li gh t
s e us no e co n s e e n e

f b tr t m th m ti
o a s ac a e a cs
 CON TENTS

A gi v en Syste m
ma y be desc i e d a s a u ddi n g rb b
o ff of a a gmen t of c onte n t fr
o m th e C I fr .

fi
In ni te div i si ili ty a s a f med of b s a ce , fir p
ti me, a n d
“
ma tte r ”

The o m i n fr w
hi ch th e u esti on of i n ni te di vi si q fi
bili ty ou gh t to be di scus sed
Con te n t decides
Ab rt d i m gi ti
o e a na on

U i r lity d
n v e sa i ty h ld f an n ec ess o o a g a me of c h ess !
E p ri
x e d pr t t fi it
e n ce oes ese n o us n e t hi n gs exi sti n g

i fi it
n mb rn e nu e s

I fi i t di i i bility w ld m k
n n e v s ou a e a c tu a lly k w no n

f t imp ibl
ac s oss e

C ld I r r m2 ‘
ou c oss a oo

C l d g p wd r b pl d d 2 ‘
ou un o e e ex o e

7 . THE C I . . A ND TH E LAW OR P R NC PL
I I E

OF CO N R C ON
T AD I TI

Th e pri ipl nc e s a lli e s o f rth ou t o f logi c i n to meta hysi cs p

Acco rdi g t n o Hegel , p ri
ex e en ce con t a i n s c on t a r
di cti on s
Th e a lleged b a si c c on t r di ti
a c on of t he fi n i te

He rb rt l dmi t
a ,
a s o, a t i s th t a p riex e e n c e c on a n s co n

t di ti
ra c on s

If t r th m t b lf
u i t t wh t i t b d
us e se -c on s s en , a s o e on e

with mpiri l e tr di t ry r lity by H g l

ca c on a c o ea e e

an d H rb rt e a

O t t di g
u s an t r di ti n c on a c on s

O th f til ity f m r ly b tr t pri i pl

n e u o e e a s ac nc es

Th ri ddl
e f th th r e o e o e

An e ssen t i a l ca u ti on

Why I n o ti ce o n ly t ha t A i s B
r
A g a v e di ffi cul ty
IS a fi
n i te t hi n g pr p rly
o e desc i rb d e as c on

t ra di ct ory
r ti
Pe n et a o n a n d c on fli ct

C tr di ti
on a c on a s a c a se o f c o n fli ct

I mp ti bl
n co a es

Th e la w of r
co n t a di c t i o n co n v e rt de i n to a

m a xi m or in ju n c ti on

Wh y we f a v ou r co n si s te n cy o f st a te me n s t
 CO NTENTS

S UMMARY OF RES ULTS

PAG E
B d tB
A is an no - as a ppli d t e o the ca se of a

tr B d ee . an n ot -B h r e e a re n ot g en ui n e

i mp t i bl
n co a es

A la st c a u t i on . Thi n g s are n ot r
u n e a l, b e c a u se

s el f tr
- a n scen den t

8 . THE C I . . AN D RELIGIO N
9 . Reli gi on mu st be e moti on a l
Th e t y i ca l p r ligi
e ou s a tti tu de

Ca u ti on s
Ha s th e C I . an e mo t i o n a l asp t wh i h w r
ec c a ns e s

th e r li gi
e ou s a t ti tu de of a fi it b i g 3
n e e n
‘

9 . THE C I . . AN D TR U H T

CHAPTER IV
ON C R N M PO R N P C
E TAI I TA T AS E TS OF THE C I . . CON SID E ED R
P R LY ( i d) S E A ATE con t n u e

O uri mm di t t k e a e as

Thi g q liti
n ds,r l ti
”
ua e s, an e a on s

Th i t r ti
e f t hi g
n e ac on s o n s

Th e ul t i ma t e t hi n gs of mech a ni sti c t h eo i e s r of

r e a li t y

Wh at th ey a re — t h ey bl
e on g pr p rly t
o e o t h e hi st o ry
of hu ma n t h ou gh t

10 . A L AS T WO R D A B OU T MEC HA NIS TI C HY PO H T ES IS

2 . Th e f u n da men t a l mea ni n g of mech a n isti c t hi ki g

n n

Th e ri se r
of mo de n m e c h a n i sti c t hi n in g k
Wh y m e n i n cli n e d o r i gi n a lly to t hi k in n a mech a n
i st i c wa y
Th e sou ce of r mi sm
a to

Th e c h a os w i t hin mode r n me ch a ni s ti c t h ou gh t
Why we t olera t e t h e
wh i h m t t b m
ch a os

D e scri p ti on ”
c i t k us no e s a en fo r
p
met a h ysi c s
Th e r e a re d esc ripti th t f l ify bj t
on s a a s o ec s
xxviii CO NTENTS

( D) THE Em ma

Th e eth e r an i ma gi n a l r
c ea t i on

Wh y i nv en ted
This h e ri
o c dev i ce of a n et h e r b i mf
, r ul o f i n co n
s i ste n ci es, d oe s n ot e v e n pr ov i de for a ll th e f ac t s

Ps eudo -met a h ysi c s con de mned p

rj
Th e e th e must be e ect e d r
Phil phi l r r f th th r it rigi d
oso ca ca ee o e e e s o n an

pi r ti
as a on s

Eth r th e i by whi h M t t r
eor es m d t p i t c a e IS a e o re -ex s

t i t b i rt h
o s

Th l t ri t h ry f M t t r
e e ec c eo o a e

I th
s El tr e m r ly ti y d t h d m
ec on e e a n e ac e as s

p rti l a c e

O i it
r s m bil t r ia th r l l i g l i ty
o e s a n or o e oca s n u ar

i th n th r e e e

B kr pt y f th l tri th ry
an u c o e e ec c eo

Why t mb i ty th ry f M tt r
no an a er eo o a e

Th rr r f th m t phy i l ph y i i t i t th i
e e o o e e a s ca s c s s no e n

f rri g f p r i d h pp i g b t
e n o un i i ge ce v e a en n s, u con ce v n

th e m as mech a n i ca l
A golden rl
u e

Th e i gh t r ki d n of im p r ptibl
e ce es

11 . THE C I . . AN D THI N GS

Thin gs
Thi n gs a re n ot o ccul t su bt
s a n ces

Th e f r
sel -t a n sce n de n ce of Thi n gs
Self -t r a n scen den ce d o es n ot p
i m ly u n ea li ty r
How fa r a re Thi n gs p
i n de en de n t i thin th e C I w .

Ar e th ey su ch a s to h a v e ca u sa l r l ti
e a on s

S p eci men s of Thi ngs i n sen ti en t a n d s en ti en t

Th e S elf Thin g
Wh Self Thi n g i m li es
at a p
r
Teleologi ca l en de i n g of a Thi n g r as pr e cei v ed

A E T yl r pl
’
. . a o s ex a n a t i on

Th tw rte o so s of Thi n gs
 CONTENTS

LOOS ENESS
CO N N TI UITY AND LOOS ENESS
Con tin ui ty In Ma thema ti cs
Co n ti nui ty as de fi n ed by Willi m J m a a es

Th e t wop t as ec s of our v e i w f ti i t y
o c on nu

L oose n e ss

I t rp tr ti
n e en e a on a n d loosen ess

12 .
Q UA N TIT Y

13 . ON RELATIO N S IN GN E ERAL

§ 6 . Th e b r ti t r l ti
o scu a n s on e a ons

O n a w y f aj ri g r l ti i t b i g
o c on u n e a on s n o e n

Mill r l ti
on e a on s

Th e t t l gr d
o a fr l t d ou n o e a e n ess

Th r l ti
e f di ff r
e a on o d th r b i typ e en ce a n o e as c es

r l ti
e a on

A r l ti
e a d fi don e ne

R l ti
e a m t on st b lt d b
us no e e xa e a ov e sen se

A r l ti f th m t ff t rm 2
‘
re e a on s o e sa e s u as e s

I t r l r l ti
n e na
”
e a on s

CHAPTER V
ON C R N M PO R N P C
E TAI I TA T AS E TS OF THE C I C ON R
S ID E ED
P R LY
. .

S E A ATE ( con ti n u ed)

14 . CAU S ATIO N
I . Th er l ti m d ri ti
e a on se e s e va ve

I ti
S ca u sa t w y f thi ki g
on a r ue a o n n

Th pr ti l
e acd th phil phi
ca an e oso ca l conce pt s of

diff r by th br d th f b i
ca u se e e ea o e ng

Th p t l t
e f if rmi t y
os u a e o un o

Mill d fi iti
’
s f e n ly on o ca u se on con si de s r su rf a ce

ph m en o en a

Th tr
e riddl t t d
ue e s a e
XXX CONTEN TS
P AG E
Th e r sec et of ca usa ti on i t r d by R i d s no ea a n an

C th R d
a rv e ea

Th q rt r i whi h th
e ua e n rt f c ti i t b
e se c e o ca u sa on s o e

gh t
sou

Id li t wh r g rd
ea s s o ti e a ti f t ry
c a u sa o n a s a n u n sa s ac o

w y f t hi ki g
a o n n

I th
s e sa v a
g m t i m e so r r t et r t h t h t h g ?
es n e a e o u an e sa e

Th ll g d
e a e f t l l gi l d f t i
e a a o ti ca e ec n ca u sa on

Th t h r d
e f ea tis o f di ff r t
c a u sa t m t b
on o e en ev en s us e

m h w di ti t
so e o s nc

Cri ti i m f c s tio b d th ll g d
ca u sa on a se on e a e e c on

ti i ty
nu f th ti m o ri e e -se es

A d r ply
n a e

C a u sati pt d th li f th im gi l
on a s a cce e on e n es o e a na

h yp th i o es s

Wh t th tim
a e i i e -suc cess on s

Th t p
e s e f h g s o c an e

Jm
a th
es on t p e s e s

D o h
su c di r t p l sc e e r i th C mi u ses occu n e os c

Im gi i g a n n

H wd
o th di ti t ff t
o es e sm t nc pp r ft r th
e ec co e o a ea a e e

di ti t s nc ca u se

N t r l
a u a ti i th C mi Im gi i g
ca u sa on n e os c a n n

Th pr d ti
e o f th
uc on o t e ev en

Th br pt i m gi l r ti
e a u a na c ea on

Th r ie e di l ti
s no i t r l pr
a ec c n na u a ocesses

E x n i hi l i hi l fi o n t9
fd h t r
.

Mill th
on mp it i e cof os on o c a u ses a i e e o

p thi l w f
a c a ti s o ca u sa on

O f th f
ne o d m t l di ti ti
e un a i N t r
en a s nc on s n a u e

Cri ti l p i t ca i r ti
o n s l ti n c ea v e ev o u on

Th i m gi l i w f
e a na V eti t t d by di r tly
o ca u sa on es e ec

w d p y hi l f t
a a re s c ca ac

Th pr d ti
e o f H ml t
uc on o a e

Ima gi n a ti on a n d ch oi ce

Th e c a u se of s oci a li s m
Th e w ll pri g f h m pr gr
e s n o u an o e ss

Th e t pri ipl f m m t i Hi t ry
r ue nc e o ov e en n s o

tr i rt m t t r whi h h mp r piri t
“
Th e ue ne a e c a e s S

On th e r ti id f
c on se v a ti i t r ve S e o ca u sa on as n e

p ret ed by the i ma gi n a l hypoth esis

 CONTE N TS
PA G E
Th e C I , i n th e
. r g rd f th ti m pr
. m ybe a o e e- ocess , a e

t yl d Vi h
s e th pr r r d Shi th
s n u, e e se v e an v a, e

d tr y r d r wri
,

es o e an en e e , n on e

C r ti ti i ty d m h i l pl
o n se v a ve ac v an ec a n ca ex a na

ti on s

H bi t
a th l w r l
on l fe tio i N t r
e ev e s o ca u sa on n a u e

H w m h f th U i r d
o uc o di ti
e n v e se o ca u sa c on on s

i l d nc u e

All t d t di ti
a n e ce en t q li ty
c on on s a re n o on a n e ua

N gio t t f
v en W rld Sy t m i i d d by
c on e n o a o -
s e s nv a e

ll th
a th r t t
e o f th S y t m
e con e n s o e s e

Fi l tr t m t f
na ea ti d f rr d
en o ca u sa on e e e

15 CH N C . A E

2 . Ch a n ce i n Ar i st otle a nd Hegel
Ch a n ce as t h e du st i n b of th e U ni v e se r
On so me mea ni n gs of c h a n ce
Ab l so ut e ch a n c e

H g l
e e o n ch a n ce

B rge son

Ch a n ce a n d p th i f r li ty
t h e i ma gi n al h y o es s o ea

Sp t on w r pr
a n ei t y a n d th e o ld - o ce ss

Wh y th w rld pr e t i o rpri whi h- o ce ss con a n s su ses c

t f t r
a re n o f m r ly i t ry d
ea u es ol pm t a e e un a ev e o en

O i f r ti d h
cca s on s or c ea on a oc

S p t it y d l w on a n e an
“
a

Th fi ld f h e e o c a n ce

O w y i whi h h
ne a i f t ti m
n q c c a n ce n ec s e -se u en c e

A th r w y i no whi h h
e m y i f t ti m
a n c c a n ce a n ec e

q se u en ce

16 O
. CO N RV V NSEM OR LA TI ES BL F UR OR E OR
'

ES S TA E EAT ES

CH N W H OM FUR H R R M R
“
IN A G E, IT L W S E T E E A KS ON A S

U VR L
A N D ON
“
NI E SA S

3 C . r ti i th h rt f r ti
on se v a on n e ea o c ea on

D t r
o no t th r li t y f t h fl
ov e -a cc en e ea o e ux

E h f Et r i ty i ti m
c oe s o q e n n e -se u en ce

S br ti l u r ti
a on a co n se v a on

t bl l w b i f
“
Th e s a f i e Th a s o sc e n ce . e o se ss on o

q ti t y uan

Wh t th l w f N t tr l y
a e a s o a ur e u a re
x x xn CO N T E N T S

b
Ha i ts
A l w r g rd d i r l
“
a e a e as a u n v e sa

L w w
a hi
s h t lt r by
c — ca nn o d r a e ou r ec ee

Th Cl dl d f
e ou i r l
an o u n v e sa s

Th f e d m t l
un a i r l
en a i u n v e sa c on s c ou s n ess

Ui r l
n v e sa s th id f t ton e s e o co n e n

Th Im gi l
e a na

A i t l diff r
v a ! e en c e

Th el w“
f i
a g i
o Th f Gr
s c e n ce a i t y a n . e c a se o av

O t t
n c on en i r l i g rl
u n v e sa s n en e a

O n a su btyp f i r whi h h pl y de o u n v e sa c as a e a

p r t i p h il p h y
a n oso

E mpl r
xe f N t r l Ki d
a s o a u a n s

O r h typ th t mi ght b
n a c e es i d a h g e c on ce v e as c an e

abl d e an m ri lly p rti l r Im gi l

ev en n u e ca a cu a a na s

Th e Ima gi n al a ga i n
Th e cla ssi fi ca ti on of Na me a ble Thi ngs no lon ge r
pr esen ts a n y di ffi culty

R
P ELIMI N ARY O B S ERVATIONS RES PECTIN G N AT URE AN D

EVOLUTIO N

Th e Ui r d n v e set gr w d
o es n o o n or oes it co m
pri f se , Oi ty h g n ece ss ,
c an e

N t r p hil ph y i th ligh t f
a u e- o so h yp n e o our o th e si s

O di ffi l ti
n whi h mp l ti pr
cu es c co e ca u ou s ocedu e r
Th r m y
e e i t a d h ex s i t d i an av e ex s e n nu me r bl
a e

r ti p i d d N t r
c ea ve e so es a n a u es

A d
n f t h d t il f
ev en O y
e t m e a o our s s e of Na tu re
w k w pr b bly
e no t r m ly li ttl
o a ex e e e

Im gi ti
a na d hyp th i
on a n o es s

Th pr i
e f N t r phil
ov n ce o ph y a u e oso

Th r ie e r di l di ff r b tw th
s no a ca e en c e e een e c on t e n t s
Of i p ri
con sc ous e x d N t r e en ce a n a u e

N t r m k i d fi i t ly m r
a u e as s n eti n e nu e ous sen en ts

Id li ti tti t d t w rd N t r
ea s c a u es o a a u e
 C ON T E N T S

Eme r son s
’

Sch elling s ’

Hegel s ’

Br a dl e y s
’

Ini ti a l sta temen t of wha t we mea n by Na ture

Th e gen esi s of Na tu re
Th e Meta p h ysi ca Fa ll
Th e di r e cti on of th e Na ture - pr o ce s s

Na tu re a nd th e fi n i te sen ti e n t s a lli ed wi th i t
Wh t i th m i g f
a s e ea n n or u s of su ch te rm s as e v olu

ti y d
on a r E l t i an vo u on

W h t E l ti i t
a vo u on s no

Th e a
g ti l ti i m
n os c ev o u on s of S p encer
Th f d m t l rr r
e un a en a e o

Wh t E l ti r g rd d
a vo u on , e a e as a wh ole, ough t to mea n

CHAPTER II
N AT U R E ( OR THE N ATU R ES ) BEGA N
Na tur e b ega n
A fi i t tim
n e i i Sp t f fi i t
e su ccess on s an a ec o a n e

W rld Sy t m
o s e

Th e ca sef lt r ti g Nig or a ht ( e na r ti ) d n s n on -c ea ve an

D y ( r ti )
a s c ea ve

Wh y w i d
e a r e u n conv n c e

E rgy m b m m m
”
ne y li sd t h t i oli i t
s t i f an e e- a on s o

ou r W rld Sy t m o - s e

Sig i fi
n f th d gr d ti
ca n ce o f E rgy
e e a a on o ne

Symb l ymb l o s, s rywh r o s , ev e e e

Sin ce N t r m k a u e ti t mm i ti
as s th sen en co un es, e

se cond l w f Th rm dy mi a o t b e o na cs ca nn o e un

i mp h bl
ea c ymb li m a e s o s

Ultim t rigi f th E rgy

a e o n o E rgi e ne or ne es

H ww
o g i
e a re
g t r d E r
o ngy y m b
o li m ea ne
”
s o s

CHAPTER III
THE GROUN D OF E VOLUTION
1
. Rest a t emen t i n bri f f th
e o e c a se a ga i n st Rea so n or

t h e Ra ti on a l IDEA
xxxiv CO NTEN TS

Rea son i s f rm f th pr t Im gi l I
a o o e o ea n a na DEA

Whi h I h b ymb li d witti gly i

c DEA as een s o se un n n th e
t h ri
eo b t E rg y
es a ou ne

Th C I
e gr .d f
as E l t i ou n o vo u on

E rgy ll d f t h U i r
”
Th e ne , S O -c a e , o e n v e se

Th e d th an r ti ti i ty f r te c o n se v a v e ac v o es

Th e pri ipl f m m tnc e o ov e en

C i d r d p rt fr m r ti
on s e e a pi d a o c ea ve e so es

Why th r t b
e e ca n n o l ti f i e an ev o u on o con sc ou s

n es s

Co n si de rd e as i n clu di n g r
c ea ti v e e pi sode

Th e a nd th e f u n da men t a l f rm o of ti me
Th e si mult a n eou s p oi n t s o f di ff r e en ce a n d s p a ce

A G RM N L WORL
E I A D- S YS TEM
4 . Th e Initi a l Situ ati on

I . THE INITIAL SITUATIO N OR GE RM N I AL WORL S Y D- S TEM IS

N OT
“
HOMO G EN EOU S i e ,
”
. . ALIK E ALL HROU H
T G IN RE

S P EC T OF ITS CO N TENTS

Ev oluti on does n ot pr pp e su ose th e h omogeneou s,

as S p en cer a n d o th r gg e s su est

Whi ttli g d w r li ty t
n o n ea o a few Si m le p la w s
“
l w
”
or a a

Why f i l r a i i t bl
u e 1s n ev a e

L w
a m i d fi i t ly
s see m r n e n e nu e ou s

A d
n y an l w i mpli
on e a es a ve ry co p
m lex b k ac

gr d
ou n

L w g r li
a s en e ar ti se c on s e v a ve m de S f p y hi l
O O s c ca

acti i ty whi h m y
v m c a co e a nd go . Th e b k ac

gr dr m i
ou n e a ns

ON P RM I ITI E V AG E N TS I N DEP E D E T OFN N CAUS ATIO N

Mill s ’
c o ex i st en ces i n de p en den t of ca u sa ti on 44 0
Are th e as p e c t s or a ge n t s c a su a ll
y rltd
e a e 44 1
Th e Ini tia l Si tu a ti on d oe s n o t co m pri se c a u s a l l w a s
— d oeS i t com pri se r ea l
”
s p eci es or Ki n ds

Th e Ima gin a ls
The ca se of Colou r
xxxvi CON TENTS

Di fferents a nd contra ries

How fa r does r m t h w rld
c on t a di c ti on ov e e o

Th e pri ipl f m m t nc e o ov e en

Th App l
e r g rd d fr m th r p mt f i w
u se e a e o a no e o o V e

Th b i rth f ti m
e o i e su c cess on

I t
n en s i ty whi h p b y d i t fir t t
c a sse s e on s s sea

Th i r l
e u n v e sa r t f pp i g t tu n es o o os n c on e n s

4 . Ch g an d th
e an l dy mi e ca u sa na c

U if rmi ti f q
n o es o l l w
se u e n ce o r ca u sa a s

H bit f N t r
a s o a u e

R i gi d l w f
a ti
s o t b tr
ca u sa on c a nn o e ue

A dl w b
n a m b l t
s eco e o so e e

L w di d t p
a s no i t t r ti i th pri m l
r e -ex s o c ea on n e ev a

Im gi l a na

Ord r e d di rd r
an so e

Di r d r d h
so e an h pp i gc a n ce a en n s

Th r e e i thi g i
s no th l dy mi
n whi h
n e ca u sa na c c

co mp l dl h gi g
e s en ess c an n

O f Mill d fi i ti d pt d t
’
ne o s f e n on s o ca u se a a e o our u s es

A ill tr ti
n us i t a ve f ti th h m
n s a n ce o ca us a on on e u an

lev el
Ca u sal la w s a nd th e r
con se v a ti v e si de o f r ea li ty

Ch a n ce mo e on c e r
W h a t do we mea n wh en we s p k
ea of r
de iv a ti v e
la w s
‘
2

CHAPTER V
THE E VOLUTI ON N OF ATU R E

S p ace a s a n inv en tion

W
.

Ti me su cc essi on a nd s p ac e a re n ot ha t v ul ga r
r ea li s m or K a n ti s m su pp o se t h em to be
Th e o ri gi n of c on c ete s r pa ce

Not due wh olly to t he mi n o r n a tu a l r a gen t s

t h e mselv es
A b so lut e s p a ce

S p a ce 1s a genui n ely n ew a ddi tion to pri or exi sten ce

a t ri u m p h of Cosmi c Ima gi ni n g

Con c rt p
e e s a ce h as r
a con se v a ti v e a n d a r
c ea tiv e

Si de
 CON TE NT S xx x v u

MOTION
Th e rigi f m ti
o n O o on

Att r ti ac d r p l i
on a n e u s on

C r ti p y hi l ti i ty d th
o n se v a ve s cr ca ac v an e c o n se v a

ti f E rgy
on o ne

C r ti d th di i i ty f m r
o n se v a on a n e v n o e a su e

M t h m ti i
a e tr
a l t mi m ti
c a ns i t th ir
ans a e co s c o on n o e

p li r l g g
e cu a an ua e

C r t m ti
on c e e o on

M ti o it i t h C mi Im gi i g
on a s IS n e os c a n n

N t t m t
on se n se b t m ti — yi g f
s a e en s a ou o on a sa n o

m t ri li t
a e a s s

C rt i
a rr r
es a n e o s

Ab l t m tiso u e o on

M t phy i
e a d th l ws cs a nf m ti O e a s o o n

Th l we a t i m b t p t l t
s a re n o ax o s u os u a es

Th fir t l w
e s a

Th d l w
e se con a

Th thi rd l w
e a

C r ti
on se v a d th p t l t
on a n f m ti e os u a es o o on

I rti i
ne a r ti p y hi l ti i ty
s c on se v a ve s c ca ac v

P t ti l
o en m ti a
”
o on

C r ti p y hi l ti i ty g i
on se v a ve s c ca ac v a a n

O n sur pri i N t r s es n a u e

I rg i
no l ti
an c t l t ev o u on a as

CHAPTER VI
ON THE DI FF R N OR E E N G N
T S FROM LOW TS OF S E TIEN T A E TS THE EST

PR M V N UR L G N
I ITI E AT L V LA A E TS OR N U CL EAR S UP TO E E S

CR B B L
D ES I A V W H M CU ON
E AS D I IN E , IT A P RELI N ARY DIS S SI

OF THE E VOLU ON TI OF G O D

§ 1 O th i r
”
. n ide con ten t S e

Th pri mi ti
e t r l g t t m d
v e na u a a e n s a re n o on a s or
“ ”
l s e v es

Th e li t d f
so ti t lif
u e o s en en e

I it
s p rm t f t r f r lity
a e a n en ea u e o ea

Th l w te o ti t esd l sen en s a n s e v es

N l u c ea rs

D th N l
o e h w th r di m t f m ti
u c ea r s S d o e u en s o e o on a n

ch oi ce
‘
I
xxxviii CONTENTS

Th ey h a v e r
udi men t a ry a ff ecti v e f eeli n gs

Ch oi ce a nd th e Nu clea rs
o f a Nu clea r
“
Th e i den ti ty
On r
a e a s of sen ti en c
y
Bh e a v i ou r as th e clu e to r
a ea s of sen ti en c y

Th e a to m r g rd d mi r
e a e as a no s en ti e n t

It s r
a t t a c t i on s my t ry t m
a s e o e ch a ni sti c s ci e n c e

Att r a c ti on s f rg i b di
o o an c o es ex pl ia n ed as

ch e mi ot a xi s
Ri b ot o n p re -c on s ci ou s s en si bili ty
Atoms as mem br e s of li vi n g p
s i e c es

Di ffer from on e a n oth er

D r S chill er s a tomi c soci a l syst ems
’

ON S ENTIENTS A B OV E THE HUMA N L EVEL

A rtr t Pg im
e u n o a an s

O p rh m
n su ti t
e u a n sen en s

Th r m ye e i t p w r whia ex s o e s ch a r e a b ov e t h e lev el of

i l t d di r t p r
n su a e or sc e e e son a li ty

GOD
Th e wi sh t o b li
e ev e i n God
A fini t e God i s i n vi e w
Th e Go d of t hi s p rti
a r W rld Sy t m
cul a o -
s e

Mi s r pre esen t a t i on s o f thi i d l i Hi t ry

s ea n s o

God as th e c on sci ou s Si de of t h e t ot a l ev olv i n g

W rld S y t m
o - s e

G d o d th an ti i ty f th W rld S y t m
e c on nu o e o - s e

Mill fi it G d
on a n e o

Th li mi t ti
e m d i t lli gi bl
a on s a e n e e

G d i
o p rti l r W rld Sy t m b mi g
s o ur a cu a o - s e eco n a

i pwr
c on sc ou s o e

G rg d M r i r
eo e th
u l ti fG d
au e on e ev o u on o o

Re i w
’
n an s v e

CHAPTER VII

H
T VOLU O N
E E N UR ( i d f m CH P
TI OF AT E con t n ue ro A

1 . M r b t primi ti r p l i
o e a ou th p ll t i ve e u s on s ; e e a on s

f g
o tia i n os c s c e n ce

Th p i ti
e f os t r l g t i
on o mpr mi a na u a a en s a co o se

2 . Gr ity av
 CO N TEN T S xxx ix

Its gen e a l Si gni r fi ca n ce

Coh esi on
Ch emi ca l r
a tt a cti on s a n d th ose of soluti ons

Chemi ca l t r f rm ti d l w
ans o a on s a n
“
a
”

Wh t ght w t m by th m t ri lity f
a ou e o ea n e a e a o

th p h y i l rd r
e s ca o e

O ur b i i t diu s n ess fr m f th
s o fscu ss a a e or e ca n v a s o

r lity— t t fill m th
ea no o e ca n v a s

N d f
ee o r t ttit d t w rd th t r l
a con c e e a u e o a e na u a

ord r C f th d l t ry th ry f ligh t
e . a se o e un u a o eo o

Th e mpl m t r y l
u n se en l f thi W rld
co e en a ev e s o s o

Sy t m Wh il
s e . i g ld en s en ce s o en

Sp r fm
en ce
’
i t gr ti
s a pr
ou s th
“
gh tn e a on oc ess r e - ou

Sp r pr
en ce
’
s f l ti
o cess es d di l ti o ev o u on an sso u on

c a nn ot d r f r
en u e or e v e

OR G N C EVOLU O N A I TI

A m h i ti b i l gy b rd
ec an s c o o a su

S i
u c cess on a n d d ri ti e va on

Bi l gi t typ f li i g rg i m
o o s s
’
es o v n o an s s

M y di ff r t rt f
an e en ti t m y b so r d
s o s en en s a e conc e n e

with d ig es n

Th t ge s a f lif i rg i
es o d rg ie, tno an c an o a n c , a re n o

p rt d by by
a e an a ss

Tr ue b t w h u t t k te f t h r gr t
av e o a e no e o a no e ea

r ti t r k
c ea ve s o e

Th i
e t i
n v en f pr pt l m
on— w i t th
o fir t o o as as e s

exp rim t f th ki d
e en o e n

O D fi i ti
n e n f Li f on s O e

Sp r
en ce

K t
an

A i mil ti
ss a on

R pr d ti
e o uc on

PL AN M L ANTS AN D I A S

A re pl t ti t g t w ll th t
a n s sen en a en s a s e as e sea s

mi r no ti t g t sen en a en s

S m pl t p rh p
o e a n s, d it m y b m ye a s, a n , a e, an

E rgy m b m d rg i N t r
’
ne y li -S o s an o an c a u e

Th pl t w rk
’
e an s o

C t b li m i th
a a o si m l rg i m n e an a o an s
x1 CONTENTS

CHAPTER VIII
THE E VOLUTIO N OF N ATUR E ( con ti nued)
VR
A IATI ON
P AG E
§ 1 . Tr f rmi m d th rigi f pl t d
ans o s an e o n o an an

i m l rg i m
an a o an s s

V ri ti d N t l S l ti
a a on a n a ur a e ec on

V ri ti whi h ri lit l by li ttl d ri ti

a a on s c a se t e e, a n va a on s

whi h pp r dd ly ( M t ti )
c a ea su en u a on s

Th pr bl m f th
e o ri tie o e va a on s

Th ri t i r t h r t h N t r l S l t i h
e va a on s , a e an a u a e ec on , av e

pr d d thi p rti l r b h
o u ce s a cu a e ec

H w o p rh m
a p t t r w l d r g rd
su e u an s ec a o ou e a

ri ti
va a on s

Th bli de ri ti f th m h i t
n va a on s o e ec an s

§ 2 . Ei m r e d t r an di ti th t m di fy
ou e c on on s a o

dir tly th ec rg i m e o an s

B rge th t w m
son o n i g f d p t ti
e o ea n n s o a a a on

§3 . B rge d th
so n a n l ti f th y e ev o u on o e e e

B rg El Vi t l
e son s
’
an a

§4 . Wh t th p t ity f lif r lly i

a e s on a n e o e ea s

D t rmi i m
e e d i d t r mi i m i
n s th
an W rld n e e n s n e o

S ystem
Defi ni te di recti on s of ch a n gi n g
P r mio se a n d p ote n ti a li t y no lon ge r rbi g
ve a e

Why th e story of c rea ti on contai ns a es grim p g

'

Ima ginin g h a s run a mok

Th e World S yst em a n d cr e a ti v e i ni ti a ti v e s
“
loca l
-

A loca l i n i ti a ti v e r u n ni n g i nto e x cess

C r e a ti v e i n i ti a t i v e , h a v i n g pr odu c e d ch a n ges in on e

di r e c ti o n , ma y u se th em la t e i n r a n ot h e r
§ 5 . On r c ea ti v e se n ti en t bi e n gs a b ov e th e hu ma n
l l ev e

E m pl r
xe a s

Ca se of t h e hu ma n b ody
Ca se of the ho r se

Purp i os v e
‘‘
m t ti
u a on s

§ 6 .
Q rt r i
ua e s n whi h th b kr pt y
c e an u c of mech a ni sti c
bi l gy o o ca n be de s cri ed ea sily

( I) Utili ti sa on of t h e Ca rb on Radi cals

 CONTENTS

r
O ga ni c ev oluti on p o nly co m lica tes lif e
p
Th e h a n tom of Vit l F r a o ce

Th t ry f t h C ll
e s o o e e

Wh y th C ll i m t r t i mi d
e e
’
s n os sec e s sse

Th z ym g
e do zym
en s a n en es

Th l ti
e ev o u f y don o r e es a n ea s

Th l ti
e ev o u f th N r on o Sy mm e e v ou s s

Th p il
e s ec a f d li
ca se o a r en a n

Th kid y
e d br t hi g p h
ne s an m ea n en o en a

Th l ti
e ev o u f l r pr d ti
on O se xu a e o uc on

Embry l gy o o

H r di ty
e e

Wh t t rt th
a s a l r pr d ti
s pr
e sexu a e o uc ve ocess

I ti t
ns nc

B rg
e i ti t
son on ns nc

I ti t
ns nc k wl dg t di t
as no e e a a s a n ce

A ri ti i m
c c s

A th ry f i ti t
eo o ns nc

Th f th
e ca se o t t d r bbi t e s oa an a

CHAPTER IX
FIRS T S TEP S T OWARD A S OLUTION OF THE R L
ID D E OF E IL V
Hegel on God i n th e hi sto y r of th e w rld
o Th e
r pl
.

g ea t an

Th e pl d th pr bl m f
an an il e o e o ev

Th epr bl m f il
o e t b O di p ev ca n n o e s osed of by
p hr a ses

E il
v r l
s a re ea

Th e pl dan im l ti t lif
an an a sen en e

At l q rt r
c ose ua e s

Di b li m i
a o s l ti n ev o u on

T M Y R OM M
HE AR T D OF AN

§ 3 . Th h r d w y f h m
e a lifa o u an e

Th e pl d th h m
an b dy
an e u an o

Th e pl d p p l ti
an an o u a on

Th epl d th
an mi d fm
an e n o an
xlii CON TENTS

The pl an a nd th e f oste ri n g o f sa v a e
g i nsti ncts
Ma n How n o le i n ea son
. b r
S ha m soluti on s Hegel .

Royce

S TEP S TOWARD A SOLUTION OF THE RID DLE OF EVIL

4 . b l g ly t th tim pr
Ev i l e on s on o e e- o cess

Th bi r th f
e il o ev

Th tw gr t fi ld
e o ea f il e s o ev

Th r p i bil i t y f t h bi rt h f
.

e es on s il or e o ev

S h p h r th f d m t l i l
c o en aue on e un a en a ev

Thi s il h w
ev , r i t th fi d whi h hi
o ev e , s no e xe on e c s

p i mi m i mpli
ess s es

H w m gi i g r
o I a n n m k i N t un s a d i t th o n a ure re n oo

d l w
”
an c a

H rri bl
o h e ec f th p t wi thi m
oe s o ft d y
e as n en O o- a

Th er ligi f l re on o v a ou

G d
o d th
an th r r ti e o i i ti ti
e c ea ve n a v es

Why w d e t di t r t t h
n ee no W rld Sy t m s us e o - s e

whi h di ti G d
c c on on s o

Cr tiea i th
on l w
s r mi g f th f d
e S o ov e co n o e un a

m t l ilen a ev

Whi h t fi d i l S h p h r th ght
c Is n o a xe ev , as c o en aue ou ,

b t th g rm f G d
u e e o oo .

Mi r ti
sc e a d th
on s , a n rr pti f i m gi i g e co u on o a n n

5 . Th tili ti
e u saf fli t Th t ry f W
on o con c . e s o o ar

Org i l ti
a n c ev o u d th w r on a nf im l e a s o an a s

Th w re f pri mi ti
a s o b rb ri w r th wh l ve a a ans e e , on e o e,

fl
u se u

W ar itas fr t t d y
c on It i m i g
on s us o a . s ov n

t w rd h r
o a sil ee ev

Will th Gr t W h i t
e ea ar av e s uses

6 O th p rti l
n e a bli g f il d it tt d t
a enn o n o ev an s a en an

p i i th r q rt r
.

a n n o e ua e s

U tr th f th ptimi m wh t r i r ight
n u o e o s a ev e Is , s

U fp i
ses o a n

O n il th t
ev s m a t i rp r t d d tr
s ee no n co o a e an a ns

f rm d
o e l l
In n ov e v a u es

M li ri m d th i di i d l
e o s an e n v ua

GL OSSARY
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
o rder itself a s we S h a ll s uspect experimen ta l a n d
, ,

i n fected by cha n ce There i s s c o pe still for i n iti a tive

.

i n met a physic s S ome ma y o bj e ct tha t the c om

.

peti n g hyp o the se s i n thi s field a r e t oo n umero us

a lre a dy a n d th a t it i s a mi st a ke t o c o mplic a te the
,

c o n flict yet f ur ther Th e o bjecti on i s n ot witho ut .

weight N ever perh a p s before i n the hi s tory o f

.
, ,

tho ught ha ve there r a ged s uch di spute s Th e .

o ff e n s ive i s ge n er a l Let the rea der but gla n ce .

thro ugh the repre sen t a tive a n d c on troversi a l p a ge s

Of M i nd ! True o u r m o dern thi n ker s t a ke j o y
,

so m etime s in humble theme s a n d then for a while ,

there i s e st a bli shed a truce o f Go d They dwell it .

,

s eem s a mic a bly o n topic s s uch a s the

,
di s crimi n a
tio n o f a rtic ul a te so un d s by r a cco on s 1
But s uch .
”

a me n itie s a r e few for phil oso phy a l a s ! c a n n o t

, ,

live by r a cco on s a lo n e An d it i s whe n we p a ss t o .

co n sider en terpri se s o f m o me n t th a t we n o tice h o w

s eri o us the a n ta g o ni sm s of le a di n g m o dern philo

so pher s re a lly a r e .

Thu s betwee n the m on i stic Ide a li s m of Bra dl ey

a n d the plur a li s tic Re a li s m o f Bertra n d Ru s s ell ,

with i t s world c o mp osed of a n i n fini te n umber o f

i n depen den t e n titie s with rela ti on s which a r e ul ti
m a te a n d n o t reducible t o a djective s o f their term s
,

or o f the wh o le which the se c o mp o s e

”
2
th ere ya wn s ,

a n a by ss An d i n the a byss it self there a r e m a n y

.

o ther f a s tn e ss e s e a ch held by a n o b s ti n a te th o ught

,

l o rd a t wa r with a th o u sa n d peers Verily if a s .

, ,

He gel ur ged D i a lectic o n a c osmic sc a le i s a t wo rk

, ,

the n et re sulti n g profit t o truth s eem s wo efully

s m a ll Pre sen tly we a r e t o c a s t o ur o wn e xper i
.

1
Ameri ca n Jou rn a l o f P sychology, On t h e di scri mi n a ti o n of

a rti cul a te sou n d s by r a ccoon s .

2
P ri nci p les o f M a thema ti cs , P rf
e a ce , v i ii .
 INTROD UCTION

men ta l pro po sitio ns in to thi s turm oil of views Th e .

worki n g s upp ositi on a rr og a n tly ho peful i s th a t , ,

they a re the best a va ila ble hyp othese s whi ch th o ught

c a n s upply Let us a dd with due modesty tha t the
.

b es t a va ila ble hyp othese s ma y le a ve very much

i n deed t o be de sired .

2 Phil osophy a s poor Old Tertul li a n rightly Ph il h y oso

d R p
.
,

g w an e l u'
a verred i s the fa ther of a ll the here sie s
,
Th o s e .
”

who de sire it to spe a k the l a n gua ge o f a p a rtic ul a r

fa ith wi ll do well to a void the s e p a ge s Th e subject .

o f religi o n will t a s k u s i n i t s pro per pl a ce Fo r .

the pre sen t I sugge st th a t the p opul a r creeds ,

Ea stern a n d We s tern sub serve i n the m a i n pra ctic a l, , ,

n eed s emoti o n a l ethic a l a n d soci a l ra ther tha n

, , , ,

truth 1
. Te a chi n g whi ch ma y be excellen t n a y ,

i n di spen sa ble for m a n ki n d dur i n g a t a n y ra te

, , ,

certa i n s ta ge s o f progre ss ma y ha ve witha l very , , ,

s light i n tri n sic va lue fo r phil o so phy An d prim a rily .

,

be it repe a te d o ur c on cern i s ( n o t with a p a rticula r

,

religi on g ood or ba d but ) with the ch a ra cter o f

, ,

Re a lity a t l a rge We a r e i n tere sted i n the Uni verse

.
,

n o t merely i n o n e o f i t s i n cide n t s i n Hi n dui s m o r , ,

Buddhi s m o r Chri sti a n ity etc epi so des in the time , .

,

flux tha t ma y pa ss a s a ta le tha t i s t old .

3 . writi n g the pre se n t b oo k I a m c a rryi n g O th d

In n e a

o u t a pro mi s e m a de i n M i nd
( v ol xx N S erie s pp
3 523 33?
3 . .
, .
,
.
( 11

-y
1

2 0 8 et seq ) i n the c o ur s e o f a n a rticle

. Th e Gro u n d P t
,
r ese n es a

o f Appe a r a n ce s
”
b a sed on a p a p er re a d before the
,

Philo sophic a l S o ci e ty a t O xfo rd i n 19 10 Re a ders .

Of my Indi vidua l a nd Rea li ty will rec a ll the di s

e u ssi on s a s to the n a ture o f the Ground i e tha t
”

, . .

Un i ver sa l P sychi ca l I/ife which a t o n ce tra n sce n ds ,

1 Cf In di vi dua l a nd Rea li ty,

. pp . 3—9 .
 THE WORLD AS IMAGIN ATION

a nd is imm a n en t c o n sci o us i n di
in , N a ture a nd ~

Vi du a ls In so fa r a s it i s tra n scenden t thi s Gro un d

.
,

i s a g n ostic ver si on of wh a t a g n ostic S pe n cer ,

with a blithe refu sa l t o be c on si sten t c a lled the ,

”
Un kn o wa ble It i s sa id t o re semble the rea lity
.

which kn o ws itself di rectly i n our selve s But .

the g n ostici sm i s still fa r fro m bei n g sa ti sfa ctory .

A Un iver sa l Life even th o ugh p syc hi c a l i n,

ch a ra cter a n d tre a ted with the d a ri n g th a t m a rk s

,

my b ook s eem s t oo va gue a c on cept ( A like

,
.

critici sm of c o ur se a pplie s t o Bergson s ki n dred

, ,
’

c o n cept o f S upra c on sci o u s Life I wa s led ,

therefore t o c on sider whether I c o uld n o t c on ceive

,

thi s Life in a more true a n d a dequa te wa y .

There wa s b or n the hyp o the si s th a t thi s Life or

Gr o u n d i s I MA GIN ATION It rem a i n ed t o a ttempt .
,

on thi s s upp os iti o n so me a ccou n t o f the r o m a n ce

,

i n ve sti n g the st ory o f Na ture a n d i n di vidua l life .

Th e p a ssa ge cited fro m M i nd run s ( with cert a i n

, ,

a ltera ti on s ) a s f oll o ws

Th e a i m of thi s h ypoth esIS Is to i n di c a te m ore

preci sely th a n heret ofore the wa y i n which the
a ctivity o f the Gr o u n d reg a rded a s the p o wer which ,

tra n sfo rm s itself i n to Na ture a n d i n dividu a l s o ught ,

t o be c on ceived Dr S chiller h a s told me tha t thi s

.

hyp othe sis i s n o t n e w tha t it h a s been di scu ssed ,

i n a Germ a n wo rk o f which I h a ve n ot reta i n ed t h e

n a me Ho wever I ha ve n o p a rticula r i n te re st i n
1
.
,

1 r f r w t F h h mm S P rt II Ch p I
Th e e e en ce as o ro sc a er . ee a a

3 2 wh r I h d lt wi t h th Hi t ry f th Hyp t h i
. . .

2 2— , e e av e ea e s o o e o es s

t h w r th d pt
.

It i s no , o t h t F h h mm
ev e , e ca se Ph a ro sc a er a o s an

t i
as c th Gr
as d f ll r li ty
e ou n Ph t i o i ly a ea . an as e s on a

pri ipl f m m t d
nc e O ov e t r ti l g w i th
en th ran c on s uc on , a on o e

ul ti m t i
a es , y r t i t i m t
n a s nc ep h y i s c e a s c s.
 INTR OD U CTION

th e upp osa l i n the h ope tha t it m a y be n e w I a m

s

much more m o ved by the likelih oo d th a t it ma y

p ossibly be true Ta ke heed th a t there i s n o c a ll
.

t o sh y a t i t s ( t o so me ) p a ra do xic a l a s pect Philo .

so phy a s Lo rd Ha lda n e Ob s erve s pro gre sse s by wa y

, ,

o f hyp o the se s t en ta tively a ppli e d a n d a fterwa rds

’
te sted by a n d a da pted to the fa cts of experie n ce .

Th e hyp o the sis o f the Wo rld a s Im a gi n a ti on r e

qui re s n o m ore c on sidera te h a n dli n g tha n i s a ll owed
by thi s writer .

It c on ten ded tha t t h e a ttempt m a de h esita t

is ,

i n gly a n d u n c o n vi n ci n gly by Pl a to a n d Ari sto tle ,

a n d much m ore pl a u s ibly by Hegel t o fin d Ultim a te ,

Re a h t y i n Re a son is o n e o f the gre a t mi st a ke s

i n the hi sto ry o f philoso phy
’
Hegel s ro ma n c e
.

o f the i n fin ite
’
a s Re n a n c a ll s it
, s erved t o elicit
,

i n ciden ta lly much s uperb thi n ki n g But the wor .

s hip o f the Notion h a s en de d by reve a li n g the

Noti on s defects The richn ess o f c on crete
’
.

thi n g s wa s thr u st someh o w i n to the b a ckgro un d

there re sul ted the s u spici on of a c on ce a led dua l
i sm with the p ositi on Of o n e f a ct o r therei n Vi z
, ,
.

s e n s ible mul tiplicity left Ob s cure a n d by degre e s

, ,

the a r ti fic ia li ty o f thi s a rid i n tell e ctu a li sm h a s m a de

itself full y felt B elief i n the Noti on a s mo re
.

th a n a n i n ven ti on or a cqui siti on p ost r em is n o w

men a ced O b serve by the wa y tha t the a ttempt
.
, ,

to a rticul a te th o ught o n Hegeli a n li n e s le a d s t o

di sa ster whe n a fterw a rds te sted by a n d a da pted

to the f a ct s o f experie n ce — I a m u si n g L ord

Ha lda n e s words a g a i n i n a n o vel c on n ecti on
’
.

Th e c on ti n gen cy held by Hegel t o c ol our

Na ture the ba ccha n tic god a n d hi story
ma rks the refusa l of re a lity to a ccept the hyp o
 THE WORLD AS IM AG INATIO N

the sis o f the di a lectic a lly tic ul a ted Un ivers a l s

ar of
’
Rea so n .

Th e Gro un d c a n n ot o f c o urse be reg a rded a s Will

, ,
.

Will i s a ltogether t oo thi n a n a b s tra cti on even were ,

there n ot o ther a n d i n s uper a ble Objecti on s t o thi s

li n e o f thi nk i n g An d there a r e th os e wh o ma y
.

urge th a t it i s idl e to liken the Gro un d t o a n y a spect

o f the pr o ce sse s Of o ur p sychic a l life But if we a r e .

i n cli n ed t o tra ce a re sembla n ce betwee n the Gro un d

a n d hum a n me n t a lity we s h a ll d o well perh a p s t o
, , ,

cO n c e i v e the f o rmer a s Im a gi n a tio n For n o te th a t .

from Im a gi n a ti on it seem s pra ctic a ble to derive a ll

a ppe a r a n ce s while if yo u try t o deduce a n y
,

thi n g ( e g Krug s fa mo u s p en ) e ffectively fr o m

. .
’

Re a so n o r Will or fr o m a un ity o f a Logic a l Ide a

,

a n d Will a n d the like u f a il utterly T hu whe

, yo , s n .

S chellin g di scussed Na ture a s un c on sci o us i m

m t e i n telli gen ce
a u r — there bei n g supp osed a gi a n t
cosmic re a son which lie s petrified i n o bjective bei n g
—h e wa s o n a wr on g t a ck For the pr o ce sses which
.
,

a r e n a med a n d t oo o fte n hyp ost a si s ed a s

‘
, i n t elli ,

gen ce imply a hi g hl y selective a tten ti on a n d a re

,
’

fa r removed from th a t c on crete n e ss whi ch Na ture

pre sen t s But if Na tur e be Viewed a s a ph a se of
.

the ever cha n gi n g c osmic im a gi n a ti on why then

- — , ,

u h ve a ll i t s livi n g de t a il s torm a n d s tir fully

y o a , ,

pro vided fo r ! Re a l Na ture i s n ot the ri di cul o u s

‘ ’
a nd
’
pha n t o m o f exten si on s re si st a n ce s
, ,

en ergie s so de a r t o s cien tific ficti o n It i s n ot .

S imple but i n defini tely c o mplex a n d it i s a gl o w with ,

the so c a lled s ec on da ry qua litie s

- We n eed to .

s eek p a tie n tly for the s ecret s o f the i n m o s t S hri n e ,

but we a re s ure tha t C os mic Ima gi n a ti on c a n hous e

a ll p o s sible det a il however c o mplex No te tha t i n .
 I NT ROD U CTION
thi s Im a gi n a ti on Na ture we c a n pla ce the c o n crete
-

p sychic a l equi va len ts rich with ,

s ec on d a ry

qua liti e s o f a ll t h e va li dl y i n ferred ultim a te s of

,

s pecul a tive phys ic s a n d ch e mi stry

1
An d so o n . .

In the reg a rd the n o f Na ture we ma y well s upp ose

, ,

Ima gi n a ti on a s the primeva l re a lity it self un re solved , ,

i n to whi ch a ll else ca n be re so lved a n d in pl a ce o f ,

‘
a de a d i n tellectua l schem a ti sm we ca n a ppe a l
’

to a pri n ciple o f a pl a stic a n d cre a tive so rt f ul ly

a dequ a te t o the life a n d i n defini te v a riety o f the

fa c t s f
’

Alth o ugh , h o wever we a ppro a ch the problem of Difii ul ti ‘

c es
“M
,

Na ture thus blithely there a re di fii cult ies n ot yet in

, ,

View whi ch m a y prove s eri o u s S eri o us a l so will

,
.

be o thers c on n ected with the ri se a n d evoluti on

o f i n dividua l s— the rid dl e o f the s t a n di n g o f co n

c e p t u a l th o ught i n p a rticul a r Ar e o u r c on cept s.

ju st form s i n which ima gi n a ti on t a ke s S ha pe for

certa i n en ds o r do they a n d their lo gic pre supp ose
a s so urce a ra ti on a lity o f c os mic structure for
”

,
’
whi ch o ur hyp othe si s h a s fa iled t o a llo w 2 Here S
the rub witho ut que sti on a n d I i n vite a tten ti on t o
,

o ur p o ssible perplexity a n o n .

4Wha t i s t h e metho d o f di s cu ssi o n to be M th

. e od of
d m ’s s wn
a do pted ? In thi s r e g a rd a wo rd will be timely
‘

c on cern i n g t h e r el a ti o n o f thi s e s sa y t o my la st
work the Indi vi dua l a nd Rea li ty refere n ce t o which ,

will f a cili t a te un dersta n di n g of much tha t I h a ve

to sa y l a ter .

In the Indi vidua l a nd Rea li tythe i n quirer

st a rt s fr o m hi s priva te experien ce whi ch i s ,

1
Indi vi dua l a nd Rea li ty, pp . 117 et seq.
 THE WORLD G
AS IM A INATION

reg a rded pr o vi si on a lly a s a closed circle or ra ther ,

a s a circle fr o m which the oretic a lly it ma y pro ve

, ,

di fii c ul t t o e sc a pe However the g a te fro m h i s

.
,

s upp os ed pri so n h o u s e i n t o the m a cr o c os m i s f o u n d

-

o pe n there re s ults a rea l ide a li sm ( i e a n a ttitude

-
. .

which i s a t o n ce ide a li stic a n d re a li stic ) a n d a

prelimi n a ry met a physic s of Na tur e i s i n dic a ted i n
s o me det a il Next follows a rea son ed a scen t t o the
.

GR OUN D o f b oth Na tur e a n d c on sci o us bei n g s th a t ,

i s t o sa y to the Un ivers a l P sychic a l Life which i n

, ,

the pre se n t e ssa y re a ppe a r s i n m ore a dequa te form

,

a s the Co s mic Im a gi n a ti on or Ima gi n a l Gr o u n d .

Th e b oo k c on clude s with a meli ori stic a cc oun t o f

world hi story Viewed a s a sta ge i n the Evoluti on o f
-

Go d ; i n dividu a l s n ot bei n g s a crificed but m o vi n g ,

sl o wly through m a n y live s t o wa rd h a rm on y i n a

D ivi n e Even t .
”

Thu s the metho d or m a nn er o f i n quiry c on ducts

“
"

u s fr o m thi s circle of experien ce ( which i s rega rded

pro vi sio n a lly a n d by a u seful ficti on a s clo sed )
, ,

towa rd the t o ta lity of bec o mi n g a n d bei n g In .

the Old a n d i n exa ct techn ic a l l a n gua ge it i s a pro ,

“
gre ss fro m the p a rtic ul a r to the u n ivers a l ; ”

with the re serva ti on tha t uni versa l do e s n o t

mea n here re a lity of the n o ti o n a l o r c on ceptua l sort .

No ti on s a s we S ha ll see a re S U B STITU TE —FA C TS a n d

, , ,

—
we a r e i n que st o f re a lity itself re a lity too n o t , ,

s ec on d a ry a n d thi n like n o ti o n s but immedi a te c o n , ,

crete a n d ful l a s i s o ur o wn sen sible or perceptua l life

, .

Hegel him self o b serve s tha t c o mmon se n se a n d

p hi losophy will n ot yield up their right o f ri si n g
to Go d fro m a n d o u t o f the empiric a l Vi e w o f
An d a procedure which s ta rt s fr o m
”
the world .
 THE W OR L D AS IMA IN ATIO N G
I a m t o ma ke u se c on s ci o u sly o f a m e tho d a t a ll .

Beli e vi n g th a t I h a ve perceived somethi n g o f

wo rth I ho pe t o m a ke o thers a l so perce ive it
,

e a sily in thi s wa y O ur st a rt th en thi s time will

.
, ,

be fro m the Co s mic Im a gi n a ti on it self .

In tui ti on n d
a
5 Hyp o the si s
. its elf so metime s seems a
Hyp oth esrs
wi n df a ll which dr o p s i n to the mi n d i n depe n den tly
.

o f e ffo rt o n o ur p a rt An d a rrivi n g thu s a n d e n ter

.

t a i n e d pri o r t o the verifyi n g pro ce ss it m a y be ,

di scu ssed o cc a si on a lly u n der a n o ther n a me There .

“
i s a n a tur a l r e luct a n ce t o s pe a k o f i n t ui ti on i n
thi s re g a rd ; S O gro ssly h a s thi s un fo rtun a te term
been a bu sed Beliefs un true a n d eve n gro te s que
.

ha ve b e en de fen ded with the s e lf evide n ce -

“
whi ch i n tuiti on s a r e sa id t o s upply 1
Po pul a r .

m e ta physic s a n d vul g a r mystici s m exploit in

tuiti on s as s ub s titute s fo r tho ught ; a pro ce ss
demora li si n g i n a n i n t ell e ctu a l rega rd a n d lon g a go
c on demn ed by i t s re s ult s S etti n g a side the s e .

a bu se s we fin d , ho weve r th a t there a re gen u m ely

, ,

illumi n i stic i n tuiti on s which c o mpel n o tice .

There i n tuiti on s s uch a s brin g to me thi s

a re

—
c olo ur o r thi s p a i n the s e c a ll for n o c o mme n t here .

Ther e a r e o thers o f wider r a n ge reve a li n g wh a t i s ,

common to thi n gs S o m e o f th ese form a speci a l

.

cl a ss S uperi or i n tuiti o n S h o ws i n tho se pri n ciples

.

1
In t h e Decla ra ti on of In dep en den ce of t h e US A i t i s h eld .

f
sel -ev i de n t r
tha t q l a ll men a r e c e a t ed e ua D r S chi ll er , in
hi m t rly F m l L gi ( p
s as e pit
or a o c . o n s ou t th a t Th e r e is
h rdl y
a b rdity f whi h lf — i d h
an a su or c se ev en ce a s n ot b een cla i med
th r i
e e lf i d t t r th whi h h
s no se -e v en u c as n ot b een p
di s u t ed .

I t i ti
n u h pr d f l i ll th i
on s av e ov e a se n a e s c en ces , e v en i n math e
ma ti cs .
”
 IN TRO D U CTION

of s cien c e which e ven t h e a gn o stic Tyn da ll h a d to

a ttribute to a ki n d o f s piritu a l i n s pir a ti o n in
the ma ki n g o f tho se gen e ra l m a thema tic a l theorem s
which Fa ra da y t h r ow o ff sa ys Wheth a m wi tho ut , ,

the a i d of f ormul a s by a ki n d o f i n t ui ti on with the ,

“ ”
s ecurity o f i n sti n ct a n d i n th a t illumi n i s m whi ch
, ,

S cho pen ha uer a n d sin ce hi s da y B erg son ha ve ,

1
, ,

pla ced a s a n i n n ermo s t c o re Of worth a t the he a rt o f

, ,

the rea lly gre a t syst e m s o f philo s o phy But thi s .

s uperi o r i n tuiti o n i s n o t a myst e ry a p a rt ; it i s o f o n e

ti ssue with the i n tuiti on s tha t s upp ort a ll the gen era l .

i si n g o f wo rka da y life D i sre ga rd the fa lse mystici sm .

which a ppe a l s t o i n spira ti on ju s t bec a u se it i s un a ble

t o thi n k a n d which n ever h a s a system o f i t s a lleged
di sc o veri e s t o S ho w Th e s uperi o r i n tuiti on ma y
.

a ri se i n fl a s he s o f i n s ight which a re s tr o n gly em o ti o n a l

a n d quite cut O ff a t the m ome n t ,

fro m re a son ed ,

a n teceden t s s uch a s l o gic require s But it s de liver .

a n c es o n ce imp a rted t o critic s a r e t o be verifie d

, ,

fo rthwith i n the qua rter s t o which they refer .

Verific a ti on i n deed i s the touchston e i n di c a tin g t he

, ,

illumi ni s m which o n e c a n tru st It a n d it .

,

a l on e s a ve s u s fro m verb a li s m
, Alleged i n tuiti o n s .
,

whi ch do n o t c on fron t p a rt a t lea st o f the re a lity

s a id t o be i n tuited a r e idle They o ught t o , .

ha ve n o sta n di n g i n seri ou s thi n ki n g Th e ge n ui n e .

s uperi o r o r illumi n i stic i n tui ti o n o n t h e c on tra ry , ,

fa ll s n a t ura lly i n t o i t s pla ce i n system a tic phil os o phy .

Thi s i s the mo men t t o n ot di s cu ss len gth the at

p a rt pla yed by illumi ni s m in the ma ki n g Of the

1
Th e r e is no du r bl
a e syste m th a t i s n ot , a t lea st i n so me of

p rt
i ts a s , Vi v ified by i n tui ti on ( B r e
g C i E
son , l i E gr ea t ve vo u t on , n .

tr an s p , . I ca n n ot, h o w r gr wi th B rg wh h
ev e a ee e s on en e

tr t with i
,

con as s i n tellect n u t i ti h rply

on s o s B t f thi l t r
a . u o s a e .
 THE WORLD AS IMA GINATION
s cie n ce s a n d p hi loso phy L et u s c o n sider however.
, ,

the c a se o f o ur o wn truth cla im i n re spect of t h e -

Im a gi n a l Gro un d L et u s supp o se tha t thi s cla im

.

o rigi n a te s a s a fla s h o f i n sight i n a thi n ker wh o i s

—
l o o ki n g o n a l a n dsc a pe ju st a s the i n sight o f
“
idea li sm origi n a ted perha p s for Berkeley It , ,
.

a ri s e s i n a rich em o ti on a l s etti n g It seem s m ore .

a ki n t o c o n crete s e n sible re a lity th a n t o a c on cept ,

i s a di s c onn ected deliver a n ce which h a s dr o pped

i n to c o n sci o u sn e ss li ke a b olt fro m the blue Thi s .

i s the s t a ge o f the fla sh —Of the ge ni a l gl a n ce .

I n Ow pro ceed t o c on n ect thi s fl a sh with the re st o f

my kn owledge t o Verify it a t lei sure i n the di fferen t
,

regi on s o f experien ce It h a s bec o me hypothes i s

. .

I fin d a n on tha t it i s illustra ted i n a ll the regi o n s

w hi ch it i s i n ten ded t o c over It h a s bec o me a .

p r i n ci p le o f truth a n d a s s uch e
,
n t e r s i n t o a s ys tem
Of phi l oso phy .

Note however tha t thi s system ho wever ela b or

, , ,

a tely o rg a n i s ed a n d impre s sive it m a y bec o me i s a n ,

a fterth o ught It s metho d perh a p s i s a nn o un ced

.
, ,

i n gr a n di o se f a shi on a s exh a u stive deducti on fro m a

pri n ciple th a t h a s been i n ductively a c quired But .

deducti o n while it a pplie s a pri n cipl e d o e s n o t

, ,

cre a te the Object s which verify it The e ssen ti a l i s .

merely th a t I s ho uld look a t di fferen t regi on s o f

experien ce a n d fin d myself a ble t o sa y Lo t h e ,

i —
pri n ciple s there a n d there a n d there — Thu s .

”
at the b a s e o f the en tire system pri n cipl e , ,

“
l ogic a l a rtic ul a ti on a n d a ll lie s tha t whi ch wa s
”
,

n o t l o gic a lly a cquired the p sychic a l experie n ce n o t

, ,

termi n a ti n g a n i n ductive pro ce ss but c o mi n g a s a ,

free gift fro m the go ds— the I n tuitio n

On e pri n ciple however will

, , n ot suffice . M an y
 INTR OD U CTION

pri n ciples c on cur i n the buil di n g up o f a system

o n e o r a fe w if we a r e very fo rtun a te
,
illumi n i stic , ,

s o me ge n er a li sed l a bo ri o u sly fr o m experie n ce so me ,

guessed a n d the n verified a n d o ther s a ga i n i n ven ted ,

S O a s t o be u s eful r a ther th a n true But Illu min .

i sm,
”
as empha si sed by S cho pen ha uer i s wh a t ,

revea ls for the most p a rt the n ewho riz on s Fa ili n g

, , .

thi s p hi lo sophy i s a pt t o bec o me sta le a st a gn a n t

, ,

p ool a t whi ch pierci n g the scum Of le a rn ed litera ture

, ,

o n e dri n ks o n ly o f the p a st .

Re a der s of the Indi v idua l a nd Rea li ty will Fu th d

6 .
r er e
’
n ote here a m o re a dequ a te c o n s ider a tio n o f the crux E Z Ziféfiie?
‘

i th e y n e s sa
of c on sci o u sn e ss an a dva n ce which thro ws
n e w light I trus t o n the riddle o f Go d a n d o f Go d s
’

, ,

rela ti o n t o wh a t fo rmerly I termed t h e Gro un d .

”

Thi s a n d t h e tre a tmen t o f im a gi n a ti on c on stitute

the m ost imp o rt a n t develo pmen t s i n t he e ssa y .

But while di scu ssin g thi s m a i n a dva n ce we sha ll

, ,

fin d m a n y n e w ho rizon s com i ng i n to View Thu s .

the a cc o un t o f the O rigi n a n d Evoluti on o f Na ture

pre sen t s ma n y sub ordi n a te Vi sta s Of a n o vel ki n d .

It will reject utterly the p op ul a r mecha n i stic View

o f the s e n sible wo rld n o t ret a i n i n g like Berg son
, , ,

tha t relic o f the old dua li sm “

i n ert Ma tter n or , ,
”

“
t a ki n g refuge e ven in En ergetic s It will be a n .
”

a ttempt t o S h o w th a t Na tur e i s litera lly s uch stuff

a s dre a m s a r e m a de o f
”
tho ugh t h e dr e a m s it i s , ,

true a re n o t th o se Of fini t es s uch a s o ur selves An d

, .

it di smi sse s the a bstra ct ma teri a l Na tur e which ,

mecha n i st s a do re a s a sec on da ry c on ceptu a l cre a ti o n

,

ha vi n g n o re a lity o utside its hum a n cre a tors he a ds ’

.

Mech a ni s m ,
asHegel Ob serve s so trul y o f thi s
c a te gory ,
”
is a sha llo w a n d s uperfici a l mo de of
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
o b serva tio n It s impli fies t hi n ki n g ho wever for
.
, ,

s cie n ce An d stude n ts o f s cie n ce who wa n t to get

.

beyo n d it a n d fo rm so me ide a o f the c on crete

p sychic a l life o f Na ture mu st be prep a red to tur n ,

towa rds ho rizo n s n o vel i n deed .

For wh a t 7 . Througho ut the e ssa y I ha ve i n View i n the ,

ma y I h op e ? ”

,
’
ma i n Ka n t s que sti on Wh a t c a n I kn o w 2
, But
I ha ve n o t ig n o red h i s t wo o ther que sti on s Wh a t ,
“
o ught I to do and For wh a t m a y I ho pe i
Th e third o f the se t o o Often s hi rke d by m o dern
,

philoso phy i s likely to be o f Vit a l mo men t i n the

,

da ys to c o me World we a ri n e ss i s a n a tura l c ou se
.
-

q u e n c e o f belief i n s y s tem s which ex a lt the r a ce

o r a n un i n viti n g Un iver se but a re c a rele ss o f the
,

ho pe s of the i n di vidu a l It i s idle of c o urse t o bid

.
, ,

u s S i n k the s e h o pe s i n a d o ra ti o n o f the
”
ra ce The .

ra ce i s n o t hi n g a p a rt fro m the i n di vi dua l s wh o

c o mpo se it An d a study of i t s p a st un cheered by
.
,

illumi n a ti n g tho ught often bri n g s di sillu si on men t

, ,

a n d a fter di sillus i o n me n t di sgu st a n d a p a thy We .

hea r much o f the so ci a l rec on structio n tha t i s goi n g

o n a ro u n d u s much o f won dro u s t ra n sfoi ma tion s
,
'

ec on o mic a n d p o litic a l with which the a ge it i s sa id

, , ,

i s big ; we wi sh the se dre a m s well but we t a ke ,

th o ught o f pri or di sa pp o i n tme n t s a n d a sk wha t men ,

s u st a i n ed by wh a t h o pe s a r e t o s e e the s e thi n g s
,

thro ugh There i s n o t e rre stri a l p a ra di se a wa iti n g

.

the ra c e in the n e a r future Na y there i s n o s ure .

,

pro mi se o f a sa ti sfa cto ry life for the pla i n ma n eve n ,

if the specta cula r tr a n sfo rm a ti o n s c o me t o p a ss .

Fro m wh a t so urce the n a r e refo rmer s t o dr a w t h e

, ,

e n thu si a sm a n d wh ole he a rtedn e ss which a r e lo udly

-

dem a n ded o f th e citizen s o f the future but which ,

ma y pro ve so terribly h a rd t o s ec ure 2

 N R DUCTION
I T O

Not uredl y fro m the blea k philo so phic a l

a ss

sy stems dea r t o so m a n y so ci a li st s sy st e m s which , ,

s trippi n g the i n di vidu a l of h i s h o pe s a r e viti a t e d by

,

pe ssimi sm All system s a cc or di n g t o which the

.
,

i n dividua l peri she s a t dea th a r e pe ssimi stic i n fa ct

, ,

if n o t i n n a me exp osi ti on s of the fu ti li ty of consci ou s

life tha t will a ppea l t o men with eve n gre a ter fo rc e
,

th e m ore i n t ell ectua l they bec o me a n d the m ore

lei s ure improve d ec on o mic a rra n ge men t s a ll o w for
thi n ki n g Ho w a m I t o t oil j oyfully for hi gh
.

a c hi ev e me n t s per s o n a l a n d so ci a l if I a m s ure th a t
, ,

e a ch ha r dl y won s uccess o nl y bri n g s mys elf a n d the

-

ra ce n ea rer the Night 2 We s h a ll be wi se to s p a re

tro uble a n d go ea sily— go like S hi rkers wo rthy o f
their a b s urd wo rld c on temptuo u s o f the c a ll to
,

s tre n uo us livi n g quick t o sn a tch a t s uch plea s ure s

,

a s s till c a re a n d a r e keen a n d chea p — a lwa ys s upp os

i n g tha t we c on se n t to exi st a n d multiply a t a ll

Fro m the a fterglo w o f Chri sti a n ity we mu st p a ss

to the da wn o f a la rger a n d fuller h o pe The so ciety
o f the future c a n build s ta bly o n n o thi n g le s s In .

’
a n s we ri n g Ka n t s fir s t qu e sti o n we ma y be a ble t o
,

s ugge st the i n tellectu a l gro un d s o f thi s h o pe .

Th e s Gl o ssa ry i s i n serted a t the de sire o f

hort
frien ds i n t h e i n te re st s o f rea de rs un ver sed in
p hi lo so phy Cer ta in term s a n d de fi n iti ons a r e n ove l
. .

8 . Meti o n o f thi s Glossa ry mo ve s me to a dvert Ph il

n os oph y

briefly t o the li n gui stic crimes Ofte n imputed t o

philo s opher s It h a s been sa id tha t the se writers
.

ta ke j o y i n mul tiplyi n g a b strus e techn ic a l term s

whi ch c onf use a n d di sc o ura g e t he pla i n ma n Wha t .

i s the c a se fo r the defen ce Well I ha ve to a dmit

,
16 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

tha t there a re cloud compelli n g phi l osophers who se -

,

style a n d termi n o lo gy le a ve very much t o be de sired

( their m a tter h o w e ver so m ,e time s c o mpe n s a ti n,g us
well for the m a n n er i n whi ch it i s imp a rted ) On .

the o ther h a n d I o b serve th a t so me o f the clea re st

,

writi n g exta n t i s t o be foun d i n the litera ture Of

philoso phy Wha t m a ster s o f lucid expre ssi o n were
.

Locke Berkeley Hume Jo hn Stua rt Mill Alex

, , , ,

a n der B a i n a n d Willi a m Ja me s
, An d wh a t a dmi r ~

a ble m o del s i n re s pect o f m a tter a n d m a nn er a li ke

, ,

exi st i n the work s o f livi n g writers sa y o f M Ta gga r t , ,

‘

o f Ca mbr i dge o f Br a dl ey S chiller Berg so n B osa n

'

, , , ,

quet a n d S tout
,
Th e re a l tro uble behi n d the
pro te s t lies n ot with t h e phil oso phers but with the ,

S l o ve n li n e ss a n d s u per fici a li t y o f the pl a i n m a n s

’

thi n ki n g .

Th e pla i n ma n i n truth i s n o t a ccusto med to ta ke

, ,

the tro uble o f u si n g gen era l n a me s with preci si o n .

He di slike s i n tellectu a l t oil He re sen t s a cc or di n gly .

, ,

a di scipli n e which bid s him befo re a ttempti n g s e ri o u s ,

tho ught m a ster a su fficien cy o f cle a rly defin ed a n d

,

c on si sten tly u sed ge n er a l n a me s It i s bec a u s e .

philosopher s h a ve tried t o crea te a su fficien cy of

s uch term s h a vi n g determi n a te a n d fixed c onn o
,

ta ti on s th a t their vo c a b ul a ry wh en c on fr on ted fo r
,
”

the fir st time ten ds t o a pp a l It i s u sele ss h o wever

, .
, ,

for the l a zy t o grumbl e Th e world i s s uch th a t it .

exa cts thi s la b ori o u s ta sk .

I wrote tried by thi s ha n g s a

to crea te , a nd

s ig n ific a n t truth There i s n ot even now a s ufi ci en cy

.

of the ter ms r equ i r ed There i s a s h o rt a ge n o t a .

,

redun da n cy o f th e wo rd i n strumen ts whi ch we

,
-

require in o rder to delimita te a n d fix me a n i n gs It .

 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
ch a ra cter of Rea lity a word tha t c o vers here a n y
,

thi n g a n d everythi n g tha t h a s a pla ce i n the Un ivers e .

An d we S ha ll fin d it pro b a ble tha t thi s ultim a te

re a lity is n o bli n d mecha ni sm n o c o llecti on o f merely
,

plur a li s tic exi sten ts n ot even a sta tic spiritu a l

,

Ab solute but tha t it i s de scriba ble a s bei n g i n a

, ,

pre emi n en t s en se D ivi n e Ima gi ni n g Thi s re sul t

-
, .

s eem s t o p os se ss i n tere s t but i n s uch m a tter s every

, , ,

ma n must be a n a uth o rity un to him self .

In th i s the fir s t es sa y perha ps o f a s erie s we

, , , ,

c o mme n ce o ur t a sk by di scu ssi n g the Fra me withi n

which the c a n va s o f un ified s cie n tific kn o wledge
o ught t o lie It i s a n experimen t a l Fr a me which
.

ma y or ma y n ot s erve o ur u ses Th a t i s for the

.

future to S ho w The pre sen t a cc o un t o f the Wo rld

.

a s Im a gi n a ti o n d o e s n o t c a rry u s fa r beyo n d the

Evo luti o n o f Na ture cl o s i n g with a n i n dic a ti o n o f

,

the fir st step s towa rds a S oluti o n o f the Riddl e o f

Evil -
a rid dl e th a t h a s br o ught di sa ster t o m a n y

a wo rld hi s to ric s ys tem o f th o ught

-
Th e s erie s will
be c on ti n ued with a n a cc o un t o f the I n di vidua l
”
a retros pect a n d a pr o s pect .
 CHAP TER I

ON THE GR U N O D OF A PP RAN
EA CE S OR PHEN MENA O

b a sic hyp othe si s of o ur ren deri n g o f meta Th

THE
zfiggf
1 .
d

physic s c on cern s the Gro un d o f Phen omen a By . s u ce s o

Ph mm e’ en a
Gro un d I m ea n tha t ultim a te a ll i n clu sive rea lity ,
-
,

o f which Na ture ( o r the N a tur e s ) a n d a ll th a t f a ll s

withi n the hi story o f sen tien t s a re the fin ite expres

si o n or S h o w Th e Gro u n d i s th a t t o which a ppe a r
.

a n oe s o r phe n o me n a — st a r s n eb ul a e s un pl a n ets
, , ,

o rg a n i sm s a ni m a l a n d hum a n s e n tie n t s s cien ce a r t

, , , ,

religi on the r o m a n ce of soci ol ogy a n d the n a ti on s e tc

, , .

e t a — bel on g i n s o me m a n n er n o t yet cle a rly un der

stoo d th a t o ce a n o f t h e i n fin ite which r o ll s thro ugh ,

a s w e ll a s beyo n d the fron tiers o f o ur c o n sci o u s

,

live s P r i mé fa ci e o ur experie n ce sugge st s tha t t h e

.

Gro un d i s n o sta tic or ch a n gele ss Wh ole a so c a lle d ,

-

i n fin ite li mi ted by la ck of p ower to i n i ti a te the n ew ,

but i s cre a tive fecu n d o f n o velty which c o n stitute s

, ,

p erh a p s a ra di c a lly re a l a s p e ct o f every cha n g e

, .

Th e Gro u n d i n de ed a s we s h a ll c on ceive it here

, , ,

se e m s n o t ul tim a t e i n the s e n s e tha t it p o s se sse s i t s Th m i g e ea n n !

wea lth like a Hi n du o r Germ a n Ab solute i n i m 11fi l t 9

1 ‘ 1
‘ ”
, , 1 n a e

muta bl e fro zen fixi t y a b ove time It i s ul tim a te In .

tha t while un derlyi n g expl a n a ti o n s Of a ll ki n ds

, ,

a n d s olvi n g fo r u s t o thi s exte n t a ll po ssible pr o b

, ,

lem s it c a nn o t itself be re so lved i n to a n ythi n g el se

, .

It i s a ll i n clu sive i n tha t a ll so c a lled

-
, o ther -

19
 THE WORLD AS IMA GINATION
re a lities mu st i n l a st re sort be expre ssed in terms
, ,

whi ch it i n clude s Thi s Groun d which is left .

,

va gue a n d i n determi n a te for the whi le a n d which ,

we s ha ll refu s e a n on t o l a bel in a n umeric a l sen s e

”
either on e o r m a n y forms the chief topic o f ,

the pre se n t e ss a y .

2 . There i s , ho wever hidi n g in da rk c orn ers o f ,

p hi loso phy a Nihi li sm whi ch re sen t s belief in t hi s o r

,

a n y o ther type o f Gr o un d o r Gr o un d s It s pr o cedure .

i s a s f o ll o ws It r e solve s Na ture i n to a flu x o f
.

S ta te s l a belled percepti on s Next it s upp os es

,
.
,
”
th a t the s e s t a te s a lon g with o ther , s t a te s

l a belled ide a s em oti on s e t c c o me a n d go i n ex

, ,
.
,

li c a bly i n i n explic a bly s ep a r a te ce n tre s o f c o n s ci o u s

p
n e ss the sta te s a n d t h e cen tr e s a li ke bei n g
de n ied even m o men t a ry re a lity O f c o ur se if the s e .
,

st a t e s a nd cen tre s a r e liter a lly n othi ng it ,

is i dl e t o a sk o f wh a t l a rger re a lity o r c ollecti on o f ,

re a litie s th e y a r e the p a rti a l expre ssi on o r S h o w

,
.

Thi s hyp othe si s i s p sych ol o gic a l ide a li sm i n i t s m os t

e xtr a v a g a n t f orm
1
Th os e wh o wi sh to c o n fute it
.

h a v e a n e a sy ta sk ;

( )
1 N a ture d o e s n o t c o n s i s t o f t h e perc e pti o n s

of a n y o r a ll
,
fin ite se n tien t s ; n ot eve n o f tho se
,

st a te s o f c on s ci o u sn e ss o n w hi ch emph a si s i s l a id ,

th o ugh with certa i n re s erva ti on s in the p sychologic a l ,

idea li sm o f Mill ( 2 ) The c o n ten t s of cen tre s

.
“ ”

o f e xperie n ce c a nn o t be de scribed a dequ a tely a s

h
”
s t a te s T be re l i e e u der
”
( )
. 3 o a n t e s n s n ,

di scu ssi o n mea n s t o fill a pl a ce eve n if o n ly m o me n

, ,

1
A sch ool of t hi s so rt see ms t o h a v e e xi ste d a mon g th e In di a n
B u ddhi st s . Non e of th e Gr k ee s and mo de r ns ha v e qi
u tem co

mi tted t he mselv es , but fli rt ti

a ous with Nihili sm , if seldom
serious, ha v e b ee n fre q u en t .
 ON THE GRO ND U P
OF A P EA A R N CE S

t a r ily, i n the Uni verse a n d the so c a lled s ta tes ,

-

a n d t he cen tre s bei n g n oti cea ble a n d di sti n gui sh

,
”

a ble fr o m o n e a n o ther fil l s uch pl a ce s a n d a r e t o , ,

thi s exten t re a l Certa i nl y thi s uni verse or m ul ti

,
.

verse wo ul d be weirdly plura li stic a n d broken ;

wo uld i n clude i n fin itely m a n y p sychic a l term s
h a vi n g ra gged edge s a n un i n telligible i n depe n de n ce , ,

a n d c o n ti n g e n t exter n a l rel a tio n s m o st my steri o us ly

a chieved But a rticul a t e thi s o dd M ultiverse

.
,

a s o n e might i t s e leme n t s a s thu s n o tic e d a n d d i s

, ,

t i n g u ish e d c o ul d n ot be sn uffed o u t by w ord s

,
An d .

bei n g thu s i n dubita bly re a l they pro mpt hypothe si s ,

a s t o why they a ppe a r i n the s etti n g s a n d with t h e ,

—
beha vi o ur o f which we a r e a wa re pro mpt s pee n
,

l a ti o n a s t o the ch a ra cter o f a l a rger re a lity which

i n clude s them a n d wherei n their rel a ti o n s meet .

Why for i n sta n ce do t wo very like clu sters Of

, ,

o r gr o up s Of c a u sa l c o n diti o n s AB C a n d
”
st a te s , ,

a bc i ssue i n very lik e e ffect s

,
In a m ul tiverse
Of a to mi stic p sychic a l sta te s the a n swer woul d
be fa r t o se ek We tur n a t on ce towa rd a s oluti o n
i n so me re a lity o f wider gra sp th a n the s ta te s

i n S hort t o a Gro un d ( or Gro un d s ) which a ppea rs

,

i n the s t a te s a n d i n their rel a ti o n s a like .

3 . Experien ce s fra gmen ta rily a n d Ph il ph y

c om e to us ,
oso

tho ught whi ch supp lemen ts the p a ssi n g S how i s the ifi ffi iiifi
e ‘

w
, , ,

m ea n s of c ompleti n g them i n to a n i n telligible wh ole fffi f m .

a
’e
so e

Wha t o ccur s i n the c a se of the simple st pra ctic a l G

g
r ou n or
,

i n feren ce when we perceive a c olour or so un d t a kes

,

pla ce a l so when we thi n k a b o ut the t ota lity of o ur

limited experien ce of Na ture a n d c on sci o u s life .

Wha t we a wa re directly i n percepts or repre se n t

picto ri a lly a n d in c on cept s verified o r verifia ble by ,

o ur selve s a n d o thers h a s t o be s upplemen ted o r ,

22 THE W OR L D AS IM A INATION G
a mplified on the gre a t s c a le There i s a fa ta lity i n .

this pro ce ss which lea ds t o met a physic s All men .

,

i n deed wh o a r e sa n e a r e met a physici a n s ho wever

, , ,

un c on s ciou s Of the f a ct the o n ly mere physici st s

a r e the a ni m a l s they a l on e do n o t thi n k 1
An d .
”

a t the b a s e of their thi n ki n g whether do mi n a n tly ,

a n a lytic o r s u pple me n t a t i v e o f experie n ce lie s a n ,

i n evita ble hypothe si s a s t o the Gro un d or Gro un d s .

All the gre a t sy stem s of phil oso phy a s well a s the ,

do gm a c on n ected with the r eligi on s h a ve m a de a t ,

tempt s t o c on ceive t hi S Gr o u n d They mu st ; for '

ref usa l wo ul d le a ve o ur experien ce t o o fr a gmen t a ry ,

a p a tchwo rk o f r a g s a n d t a tter s S h o wi n g ri di cul o u sly

i n a Void The s e a ttempt s i n so fa r a s they c on cer n

.
,

truth va ry e n orm o u sly i n v a lue r a n gi n g fro m

, ,

thought systems o n level s held by a n Ari stotle a

-
,

He g el or a S chelli n g do wn t o th ose pra ctic a l creeds ,

for whi ch the Gr o un d o f a ppe a r a n ce s bec o me s a

m a g n ified ma n or men But a ll a ttempt s even the ,

m os t a b s urd mi ni ster t o the sa me n eed o f supple

,

m en t i n g t oo fra gme n ta ry experie n ce For t h e .

phil o so pher wh o wa n t s t o see thi n g s t ogether a s a

,

wh ole the m a i n i n tere st lie s i n a s uppleme n t a ti o n

,

which S h a ll repre sen t eve n if da rkly a n d sym,

boli ca lly the Un iver s a l Re a lity a s it a ctu a lly i s

,
In .

t h e c a s e of the ma n o f f a ith wh o s e be n t i s t o believ e

,

wha tever m a ke s the he a rt gl a d a n d s ub serve s

pr a ctic a l life the truth i n tere st i s le ss pro mi n en t ;
,
-

a n d o fte n gr o te s que view s o f Re a lity c o m e t o prev a il .

But a fter a ll there a r e illu si on s on which c o m

, ,

mu n it i e s thrive An d crud e dogm a u sef ul perh a p s

.
, , ,

i n the y o uth o f the r a ce will n o t c on te n t i t s m a sse s

, ,

a n y m o re th a n i t s i n tellectu a l s fo r a ll time Me a n , .

while s omethi n g Of m o m e n t h a s be e n a cc ompli sh e d

 ON THE GROU N D OF A PP EARANCES
—men h a ve ri sen o u t of the t o rp or o f a n im a l in t elli
gen ce a n d ha ve t a ke n the fir st totteri n g step s on the
p a th of thi n ki n g .

4 .I m a de men ti on th a t the Gro un d required fo r V i ti f ar e es p

o ur o wn r e n deri n g Of m e t a phy sic s i s n o t t o be d e ffi gfgiggfiii i is

s cribed i n a n umeric a l s e n s e a s
“
on e or m a n y fi gififig
t
f .
”
r

It rem a i n s with a l t o n ote tha t there a r e Moni sm s Sii giiizi ifi

, , ,
’ e ‘ e

g i i

Dua li sm s a n d Plura li sm s of which we ma y ha ve t o

,

ta ke a cc o un t Fo r the m o n i st the Gro un d i s o n e

.

for the du a li st a n d plur a li st the Gro u n ds a re t wo ,

m a n y a n d eve n i n fin itely n umero us An d Moni s m .

,

a ga i n , ma y be ide a li s tic m a teri a li stic dyn a mic a l

, , ,

a n d eve n a g n os tic Mon i stic idea li sm a ga i n h a s

.
, ,

s ever a l f orm s a n d there a r e dua li stic a n d plur a li stic

,

—
ide a li sm s t o c on sider a s well An d so on di ffere n t .

i n terpreta ti on s o f the Gro un d ( o r Gro un d s ) a b o un d

i n the hi st ory o f phil oso phy It i s n ot pro po sed n or
.
,

i s it i n deed pra ctic a ble t o ex a mi n e them a ll here

, , , .

But m ost a re of i n tere st s tirri n g experime n t a l

ve n ture s i n the sa me c a se with o ur o wn We c a n n ot .

a ff o rd t o ig n o re them a lt o gether I pro p os e there .

,

fore t o s ubject the m ore repre se n ta tive O

,
f these
hypo the se s t o a brief critici sm a n d thi s with t wo ,

purp o ses i n View In t h e firs t pl a ce I desire t o

.
,

s ugge s t o n wh a t li n e s critici s m Of the s e s o rt s o f

hyp othe si s o ught t o pro ceed i n the s ec on d pla ce I ,

wa n t t h e n e ce ssa ry c on tra st s which S ha ll thro w o ur

c o mpeti n g hyp o thesi s a n d i t s s ub or di n a te hyp othese s
i n to stro n g relief In thi s wa y we sh a ll mo ve like
.
,

Time the scythe be a rer de str o yi n g i n o rder to

-
,

c on struct a n d le a rn i n g a s we go in wha t ma nn er
, , ,

t o a vo id the m ore Obviou s errors of the p a st The .

c on structi o n for the pre se n t ho wever mus t rema i n

, , ,

a n experimen t a n d n othi n g m o re Eve n though .

24 THE WORLD G
AS IM A INATI ON

o ur hyp othe sis be foun d t o fit a ll the verifyi n g

mi n o r truth s a n d fa ct s there ma y a ri se n ev ert h e
, ,

le ss S o me o ther hyp o the si s n ot yet a va ila ble fo r

, ,

di s cu ssi on which will fit them better

, .With thi s
n o te o f c a uti on I p a ss t o c o n sider cert a i n o f the

m ore repre s en t a tive hyp o the se s a s t o the ch a ra cter

o f the Gro u n d . Ma teri a li sm a n d a llied a ttitudes
will c o n cern us a t the o ut set An o n s peci a lly
.
,

illumi n a ti n g c on tra st s fur n i s hed by the thought o f

Hegel a n d cert a i n o f h i s succe sso rs will e n a ble u s
,

to sta te o ur o wn experime n t a l Views with little risk

o f bei n g misu n derstood .
 THE WORLD AS IM A INATION G
mere fla tus voci s a n d fin di n g th a t o ther sta te
u

men ts a n d fa ct s t o which it a pplie s c a n be tre a ted

as c a se s o r illustr a ti on s of it i n cli n e hen ce ,

fo rth to la bel it true Hyp othe si s with a l c o ver s .

, ,

a much wider field th a n Mill s a rtifici a l i sola ti on ’

o f the c o mplete o r deductive meth o d a ll o ws ;

s upp ositi o n s bei n g pre sen t a s i s n o w ge n era lly ,

a d mi tted i n a ll i n ducti o n s n o t merely e n umer a tive

, , ,

where a n y purp osive men t a l a n a lys i s of phen o me n a

o ccur s It ma y be i n i t s m a i n emph a si s a n a lytic
.
, ,

a s whe n i n the c a s e o f a gi ven c o mplex situa ti on

, ,

we e n de a vo ur t o di ssect o u t a spect s or elemen t s

”
which form a c a u sa l rel a ti on But a ga i n it .
, ,

m a y c on cern i n the m a i n the s upplemen t a ti on o f

, ,

give n experie n ce a s when for exa mple wr iter s fra me , ,

hyp othe se s a s t o the ch a ra cter Of the Un iver se o f ,

which their direct i n tuitive kn o wledge seem s SO limite d

a n d i n deed piti a bly S light
, ,
Eve n i n t h e c a se Of a .

s pecul a ti o n like the N ebul a r Hyp o th e si s there i s ,

like im a gi n a l exp a n si on o n the gre a t sc a le a va st

s uppleme n t a ti o n o f the i n f o rm a ti o n which direct
percepti on give s u s No on e c oul d rea ch thi s hyp o
.

the si s by merely supp o sin g certa i n c on n ecti o n s o f

ph en o men a withi n the b o u n ds o f a give n or directly
p e rceived c o mplex Cle a rly the m a i n va lue o f the
.

hyp o the si s lie s i n wh a t it a dd s t o the n a rr o w per

c e p t u a l experie n ce which we e n j o y It i s e ssen ti a lly .

a n im a gi n a l m a ke s hift for s e n sible experie n c e which

i s de sired but which c a n n o t be h a d

,
.

2 . te thi s phra s e i ma gi na l m a ke shift

No w no ,

fo r it i n vo lve s a c on sidera ti o n th a t will pr o ve o f

hi gh imp o rt a n ce a n on We a r e t o Ob serve eve n a t .
,

thi s sta ge o f the i n quiry th a t there i s n o o ccult ,

r a ti ona l p o wer of mi n d which extrude s hyp o

”
 HY P OTHES IS
the ses i n some m a n n er sugge stive o f lo gic .

Hyp otheses when formed c o n sci o u sly a n d n o t

,

dr o ppi n g o n u s like gift s fro m the g o d s a s the

illumi ni stic i n tui ti on s di scu ssed in the In tro du c
“
ti o n 5 I n tuiti o n a n d Hyp o the si s
,
a r e fruit s

o f o u r releva n t i ma gi n i n g They a r e experime n t a l .

ven ture s S h ot s a t m a rks which m a y n ever be hit

, ,

a n d the m a ki n g o f th e m i s limited o n ly by the p os s i

bi li ti e s o f thi s i ma gi n i ng Wo rki n g by tri a l a n d .

e rr o r we h a ve t o t e st them by the experie n ce s t o

,

which their verb a l emb o dimen ts refe r fa ili n g which ,

pro cedure we a r e wor dspi n n er s wh o merely wa st e

tim e Ho w wa rily on e o ught t o m o ve i n thi n ki n g
.
,

h o w a b s urd seem s much o f the d o gma ti s m which

h a s c o u n ted i n hi s to ry h o w cra zy t h e l oya lty t o
,

s tri n g s of word s h o w bli n d the dev o ti o n t o formul a e

,

which exerci se perh a p s the to n gue but o ffe r the

, , ,

—
he a d m a i nl y n o i se ! An un dersta n di n g o f the
n eed for verific a ti on wo uld rid the w o rld o f a l a rge

n umber o f i t s m o st p o te n t beliefs .

Wh a t h owever i s the b a sic requi reme n t which

, ,

the verified hyp o the se s h ve a sa ti sfied ? I s ubmit

tha t the reply run s thu s Their truth dep en d s on .

whe ther our seconda r y i ma gi n i n g r e pr e sen ts mirro rs ,

with a ful n e ss su fficie n t for o ur p a ssi n g pur p ose s ,

tha t i ma gi n i n g i n the cos mi c s tr u ctu r e which i s o f

p r i m a r y i n t e re s t E g my hyp
. o the s i.s a
. b o ut the
Sun s i n teri or i s true if the ima gin i n g which con
’

, ,

st i t u t es it i s s ufficie n tly like the re a lity i n Na tur e

,

im a gi ni n g for which a s a men t a l sub stitute fa ct it

,
-
,

st a n d s .We seem withi n ha il of a n impr o ved

Co rre sp on de n ce The ory o f Truth pre supp o si n g o f
-
, ,

c our se a ccepta n ce of the m a i n c on ten ti on o f thi s

,

e ssa y to the e ffect tha t ultima te re a lity i s ima gi n a l ,

 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

tha t the Co s mic Ima gi n a ti on i s a ll in a ll the mother ,

stuff o f wh ose m o de s a n d tra n s fo rm a tio n s a n ythi n g

a n d everythi n g o f which we c a n be c o n sci o u s co n
, ,

s i st s
. There i s n o c a ll to dwell on thi s b a re s u gge s
tio n n ow But a gla n ce a t the future i s en c o ur a gi n g
. .

We ha ve be en n o ti n g tha t hyp o the se s a re fo rm s o f

ima gi n a ti on We a r e n o w to su spect tha t ima gi n a
.

tion i n fr a mi n g i t s hyp o the si s a b out the Gro un d

, ,

will c on fr on t a re a lity a ki n i n cha ra cter to i tself will ,

fra me the illumi n a tive co n cept ( o r me n ta l su b

s t i t u te fa ct ) o f the Co smic Im a gi n a ti o n
-
An d thi s .

s usp ici o n will s erve to s tir the pul s e a n d pro mpt

Vigorous pro secuti on o f a n i n qui ry th a t s eem s o f

go o d pro mise We S h a ll fin d further tha t thi s
.
, ,

View o f hyp o the si s is wo rth bea ri n g i n mi n d duri n g

the whole Of the discus si on th a t is to follow
sh o rtly .

3 . Verific
ti on h o wever do e s n ot seem a lwa ys
a , ,

sa tisfa ct o ry it le a ve s u s o cc a si on a lly still do ubtful .

We mu st be on o ur gu a rd a g a i n st the u seful hypo

the si s which ma y n o t o r c a n n o t cla im t o be true
, ,

a s well ; a g a i n s t the pro p o siti on th a t wo rks S O

fa r a s ec o n o my o f thi n ki n g a n d predi cti o n a re c on
cern ed bu t which fa il s to mirro r o r r e pre se n t re a lity
,

su fficie n tly well Useful ficti on s o f c o ur se s wa rm

.
, ,

a like i n s cie n ce a n d p o pul a r thi n ki n g Na y if we .

,

a r e t o be guided by writer s like Va ihi n ger there i s ,

s cope fo r a p hi l o so phy Of ficti on s w hi ch o u st s m o s t

o f truth a n d re a lity o u t o f hum a n life Mill Ob serve s

m o re j ustly th a t there i s prob a bly n o hyp othe si s
i n the history o f s cie n ce i n which b o th the a ge n t a n d
the la ws of i t s wo rki n g were fictiti o u s An d there.

i s a re a so n fo r thi s o ptimi sm which ca n be st a ted a s

follows .
 H YPOTHESIS
When we c ome to exa mi n e some o f the fa m o u s
hypotheses o f scien ce e g th ose i n which figur e ,
. .

“ ” ” ”
c on cepts such a s m a tter fo rce en ergy , , ,
“ “ “
ether ,
a tom s
”
el e ctr on s a n d the like we
,
”
, ,

s us pect a t fir s t b oth the a lleged a ge n t s a n d their

a lleged wa y s o f wo rki n g Th e fo rmul a e s eem to .

—
ha ve n o po ssibl e va lue sa ve fo r practice a re riddl ed
with o bjecti on s which fo r the truth se eker i n vite ,
-
,

s ceptici sm c o mplete Neverthele ss it i s prob a ble

.

th a t a dull glimm e r o f truth light s t h e very wo rs t

o f the se ficti o n s de sig n ed eve n th o ugh they be o n ly
,

for pra ctic a l n eed s Un l e ss i n deed the se ficti on s

.
, ,

a n d their wo rki n g s h a d s o me re sembl a n ce t o re a lity ,

even thei r pr a cti ca l uti li ty cou ld n ot be gua ra nteed .

AS men ta l s ub stitute fa ct s they a re re q uired to -

repre sen t i n so me n ot wholly un true wa y the ch a r

, ,

a cter a n d beh a vi o ur o f the re a litie s for whi ch they

s ta n d
. Experimen t s with them will the n s erve , , ,

for limited purp o se s i n pla ce o f experimen t s with ,

the re a litie s o f prim a ry i n tere st In thi s m a nn er .

a g en er a l thi n ki n g fa r fro m the field of b a ttle a n d

,

u si n g onl y reme mbered m a p s a n d fla gs a s c o un ter s ,

might fin d tha t fo r a few purp o se s hi s sub stitute

‘

, ,

fa cts a mply suffice But they s uffice o nl y bec a u s e

.

th ere exi sts a re sembl a n ce b e tween the sub stitute

fa cts a n d the thi n g s o f prim a ry i n tere st for which
they sta n d Th e fla g s for i n sta n ce a re im a gi n e d a s
.
, ,

m ovi n g in wa y s a n a lo g o u s to thos e i n which a rmy

c orp s mo ve To a ccept a fla g a s a u seful ficti on o f
.

thi s so rt i s n ot to sa y tha t it reve a l s a n a rmy c o rp s -

i n the fo rm i n whi ch a truth seeker wo ul d wi sh t o -

pict ure it S till i n c e rta i n wa y s the fla g do e s re

.

s embl e a n a rmy corps a n d i n the s e wa ys is fo u n d

-

the lea ven o f truth Predictio n s o f a limited ki n d

.

bec ome fe a sible .

30 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
In like m a n n er the i n ve n ti on s o f the Un dul a to ry
Hyp othe si s of light a re n ot s heerly f a l se But .

truth seekers h a vi n g on ly a c on templ a tive i n tere s t

-
,

i n Na ture will fin d t h e ficti o n s i n vo lved decidedl y

,

p o o r Every o n e i s a wa re directly of the gl orie s of

.

light But n o on e ever perceived o r c o ul d ever

.
,

perceive c olo urle ss un dul a ti on s i n a n ether cla d

,

i n mere ra g s o f qu a lity o n ly by a n eff o rt c a n we

t olera te thi s c on ceptua l mech a n ic s this re a lm o f ,

S h a des i n pl a ce o f wh a t s en si ble percepti on reve a l s

, .

In p a ssi n g it i s w o rth whi le t o s ugge st th a t t o t a ke

pro fe ssors Na ture
" “ ’ ”
the the mech a n i stic wo rld
,

o f the phy sici s t a n d m a them a tici a n t oo s eri o u sly ,

i s t o h a rb o ur a s uper stiti on a s a b sur d a s a n y which

h a s m a rred the hi st o ry o f p o p ul a r th o ught .

On the o ther h a n d the Nebula r Hyp othe si s a b o ut

,

the emergen ce o f s un s a n d pl a n et s fro m a primeva l

fir e mi st i s a n ex a mple of a s upp osa l which pro fe s se s
t o h a ve n o u se for ficti on s Bei n g un a ble t o Vi n di
.

c a te it by repe a ti n g the o rigi n a l o b s erva ti o n s— i f

s uch there were — o f a prehum a n witn e ss we s eek t o
,
verify it i n di rectly by sho wi n g tha t deducti o n s
dra wn fro m it a n d c ombi n ed with o ther pro p o si
,

ti on s kn o wn t o be true s qua re with pre sen t time

,
-

o b s erva ble f a ct Th e e n d so ught mi n i ster s t o o u r

.

i n tere s t in kn o wledge Th e sto ry o f a gre a t ha ppen

.

i n g i n Na ture the birth o f the sol a r s y s tem i s

, ,

de sired for i t s o wn s a ke n ot a s a me a n s to wa rd
,

so met hi n g el s e An d we c on struct a cc o rdi n gly , ,

a n im a gi n a l o r c o n ceptu a l m a ke shi ft which do e s

duty fo r wh a t would be the s uperior sen sible per
c ep ti o n o f a g o d .

The wo uld be true hypothe sis

-
a nd the hyp othe sis
 HY P OTHES IS

u si n g ficti on s a re bo th cre a ted by im a gi n i n g ; the

o n e is a n experimen t ( Often with very a b stra ct
a spect s o f ide a l c o n t e n t ) which c o n cer n s prim a rily

the kn owle dge i n te re st ; the o ther so metime s a

-
,

most m a sterly a chievemen t h a s t o be ju stified by ,

i t s service s t o a cti o n i s n o t it self a n en d but a , ,

me a n s to wa rds a n ul teri o r g o a l But it i s eviden t .

th a t the fron tier betwe en the t wo sort s o f s upp o sa l

i s n o t t o be dr a wn s h a rply Ma n y or mo st o f the .

hyp othe se s of the firs t sort h a ve de a li n g s witti n gly ,

o r un witti n gly with ficti on s a n d c on tra riwi se a s

, , ,

a lre a dy urged there c a n be v e ry few if a n fictiti u

, y o s , ,

a ge n t s a n d fictiti o u s l a w s o f their wo rki n g which

do n o t i n so me wa y repr e s en t trul y the re a lity fo r

, ,

which they st a n d i n tho ught Thus ( 1) eve n the .

Neb ul a r Hypothesi s whil e proposin g to mirro r ,

tr ul y for u s a p a ssa ge i n the hi st ory o f the sol a r

s ys t e m a s it a ctu a lly o ccurred m a ke s u se we ll ni gh ,
-

a lwa ys of g a un t mech a ni stic ficti on s s uch a s

m a tter e n ergy
,
”
fo rce s a n d the like It i s
,
”
,
”
.

s a ved fr o m u n truth i n o u r eye s bec a u s e we s upply

un c on sci o u sly a ll the s o c a lled sec on d a ry qu a litie s -

,

c olo ur a n d the re st which a r e pre sen t i n exp er i en ced

,

Na ture but a b sen t from the con cep tua l or mech a n i

,

c a l sub stitute Na ture Of phy sici st s a n d a s tr on o mer s

’ ’
-

mi n ds A merely mech a n ic a l Na ture i s un kn o wn

.

t o experie n ce ; bel on g s t o ficti on ( ) Con side r

2 .
,

o n the o ther h a n d t h e D a lt o n i a n hyp o th e s i s a b o ut

,

ele me n ta ry a to m s If yo u me a n t o urge th a t
.

Na tur e ( solid liquid a n d ga seous ) c on si sts o f sma ll

, ,

units ea ch h a vi n g o n ly o n e o r t wo qu a lities a n d
,

c o n ceived by t he do dge o f strippi n g men ta lly a n

o rdi n a ry c o mplex Obj e ct o f m o st o f i t s we a lth ,

the n i n de e d I ha ve to di smi ss the a t o m s a s ficti o n s

, ,
.

Th e y a r e n o t di sc o v e rie s but i n ve n ti o n s ; re a lity , ,

 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
pri or t o the i n ven ti n g c on ta i n ed n o thi n g of this ,

ch a ra cter a t a ll Nevertheless the hyp othesi s i s .

,

n o t t o be se t h a s tily a t n a ught It a n d i t s bloo d .

le ss a b stra cti on s a re mo re th a n merely c on ven ien t

—h a ve a le a ve n i n s ho rt o f truth ; pro mpt u s to , ,

g o bey o n d them i n t o the m i s de s cribed pe n etr a li a

”
o f thi n g s Th e a to m s etc p oi n t a s we sh a ll
.
, .
, ,

s ee ,t o the rea lity o f more or less di scr ete cen tr es o f

p sychic a l a ctivity i n Na ture 1—
the rich c o mplex
Na ture whi ch the Co smi c Ima gin a ti on c on ta i n s .

Much ho wever will ha ve t o be di scussed before a

, ,

sa v i n g truth s ymb o li s m o f thi s so rt c a n be a cc o rded

-

worth By th a t time the meta physic s a s well a s

.
,

the ficti on o f chemi stry will ha ve received its sh a re

,

o f n otice .

4 . He n ri Po i n ca re divided
hyp o the s es i n to three
cl a sse s thos e de a li n g with a lleged rea l rela
ti on s i n re a lity some verifia ble a n d bec o mi n g truth s ,
”

“
o f gre a t fertility ; ( )
2 th o s e o f a n i n d i ffere n t
s o rt o nl y u s ef ul
,
i n fixi n g o u r ide a s ( thu s the
a n a ly s t ca n w o rk either o n the s upp ositi o n tha t
m a tter is c on ti n uo us o r a t o mic a nd

( )
3 th o s e which he c a ll s hyp o the s e s o n l y i n a ppe a r
a n ce e g the ,
defin iti on s w hi ch o bt a i n in m a the
. .

m a ti es a n d the m a them a tic a l s cien ce s The se de .

fin i t i on s
”
whi ch give the s cie n ces their rig o ur a re
, ,

the work o f o u r cre a tive th o ught n o t a cti n g i n deed ,

a rbitr a rily but i n ve n ti n g o n the b a si s o f wh a t

, ,

experien ce s upplie s m o de s o f thi n ki n g a s c on ve n ie n t ,

as i s p ossible Th e pri n ciple s o f ge o metry a r e .

defin iti o n s i n thi s sen se o f the term ; c on v e n

1
Cf . he r e t h e lon g di scu ssi on b a sed on t her d t t a n scen en

v alidi t y Of ca u s a li t y i n Indi vi dua l an d R li y pp 100—

ea 23t , .
,

r
Pa t II . ch a p . iii .
“
A pp r ea a n c es a n d t he E t r l W rld
x e na o .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

our i niti a tive Write rs ha ve held th a t there a re

.

m a them a tic a l en tities which exi st i n their

o wn right o n a timele ss level o f their o wn and ,

th a t i n thi n ki n g we o nl y bec ome a wa re of the se

e n titie s a s they a re i n them selve s th a t we a re
e n tert a i ni n g gue sts r a ther th a n peopli n g o ur
,

tho ught a fresh But if o ur View of the Comm a n d

.

Pro po siti on be so un d there i s n o c a ll for my stici s m

,

o f thi s ki n d Ta ke the c a s e o f a
. t ra n s fini t e
c a rdi n a l .I do n ot find thi s e n tity i n the va sty
deep With the help o f a te a cher who h a s cre a ted
.

it for hi m self a n d who e n joys it i n h i s priva te c on

‘

c ep t u a l world I crea te it for mys elf a s well

, There .

i s a Fi a t a n d I feig n th a t my c o mm a n d h a s bee n
,

c a rried out ; th a t there co nf ro n ts me i n the Un iver s e

a n i n depe n de n t re a lity o f which I a ssert tr uth At .

o n ce I a m a ble to re a so n ju st a s if my comm a n d h a d

t a ken s h a pe i n the required re a lity In fa ct for .

,

the purp o se s of my re a son i n g a feig n ed e n tity ,

a n d a n a ctu a l o n e come to the sa me thi n g The .

pos sibility tha t my c o mm a n d h a s bee n i n o pera tive

a n d th a t there i s n o such
”
e n tity m a tter s litera lly ,

n ot a t a ll — for my re a soni n g .

Ma th e ma ti c s
5 . Is evide n ce i n support o f the belief
there a ny
and C osmi c
i n i nd ep end en t m a them a tic a l e n titie s sa id t o be
ti meless a n d yet s upp osed very str a n gely to be
pre se n t to us o ver lo n g i nterva l s of ti me App a r
e n tly n ot But there i s a view s uppleme n ti n g
.
,

our reli a n ce o n the cre a tive p o wers Of i n dividu a l s ,

which must be c on sidered Why it ma y be a sked .

, ,

c a nn ot m a them a tic a l a sp ects o r content n ot time ,

less i n deed but end ur i n g be cre a ted by o r belo n g

,
”
, , ,

s ta bly to cosmic a s well a s priva te im a gi n i n g ?

,

This is a tot a lly di ffere n t s uppo sitio n a nd deserve s

 MATERIALISM AN D AL LIED HY POTHES ES 35

our mo st seri o us a tten ti on But we a re n ot yet .

in a po siti on to dea l with it sa ti sfa ctorily S ta ble .

ma thema tic a l a spects let u s a gree ch a ra cteri se the

, ,

s truct ure o f c osmic im a gi n i n g But the p oi n t of .

imme di a te i n terest i n the reg a rd o f the Comm a n d

,

Prop ositio n i s tha t we too a r e cen tres of crea ti on or

, , ,

crea ti ve efiort a n d th a t full a ll o wa n ce m us t be m a de

,

for so vita lly S ig n ific a n t a f a ct .

6 . Th e
l a st Ob serva ti on I h a ve to ma ke o n T u hyp r e o
.

hyp othesi s i s tha t the true on e do e s n ot a lwa ys 333 33 31 8

3

reve a l re a l rel a ti o n s i n rea lity S uch a sta te { 2523123 23 .

5
00 8

men t c a n be m a de on ly by a writer i n te n t o n the

i n tere sts o f certa i n of t he a b stra ct scie n ce s It .

doe s n ot a pply to the b a sa l hyp othe si s o f meta

physics Thus we here a re i n que st n ot o f mere
.

”
rela tio n s but of tha t which i s the gro un d of a ll
,

terms a n d rela tio n s a like .

1 . MA ERIALIS M
T AN D A LL IE D HY P OTHES ES
7 . Tru e
hyp othe se s a re formed by im a gi ni n g ,

which tries to S imul a te a re a lity o f prim a ry i n tere st .

The limit s o f them a s eve n Mill a ll o ws a r e the

, ,

limits of ima gi ni n g No w n o te thi s In the c a se s

. .

o f a ll hyp o the se s a b o ut t h e Gr o un d s a ve o ur o wn , ,

the ima gi n a l ma ke shift or s upp osa l h a s t o sta n d

for tha t whi ch i s held n ot to r esemble i t closely It i s .

on ly by im a gi n i n g th a t Hegel him s elf wh en n ot ,

lo st i n words c a n s upp ose th e L ogic a l Ide a or

,

Re a son But o n o ur li n e s hyp o the si s o r truth

.
, ,

cl a im ca n cl ose i n tim a tely with i t s Object Si n ce .

t o thi n k truly i s to im a gi n e m o re or le ss a s the

Gro un d i e Ultima te Rea lity im a gi n e s we ca n
, . .
, ,

h a z a rd a hope th a t o ur ima gi ni n g will prove n ot a ,

 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

mi sera bly defective m a keshift but a gl a ss through ,

which we sh a ll see da rkly perh a ps but with a l to

, , , ,

much pro fit .

In the c a se of Ma teri a li sm t a ken in i t s strict form , ,

the s uppo sa l i s th a t the Groun d of phen o men a or

Th e Fe ll e cy o
Ma t eri a l i sm
f Ultim a te Re a lity is Ma tter in moti on Thi s .
”

re a ched by Ima gl n l n g c er ta l n very

.

s upp osa l IS

a b str a ct a spect s o f perceptio n

”
exten sio n re , ,

and m o ti on a n d crea ti n g therewith a

” ”
si st a n c e
, ,

c on cept whi ch c on si sts o f these three a bstra cti on s ,

a wa r e d t o gether a n d n o thi n g else

, Th e Un iver s e .

is then ide n tified with thi s re sult No w the ra dic a l

wa y of a n sweri n g Ma teri a li s m i s thi s This im a gi n a l .

crea ti on i s i n n o s en se a n a de qu a te me n t a l s u b
, ,

s ti t u t e for the re a lity — —

the un iversa l rea lity for
whi ch it i s m a de t o sta n d It is the fruit of a p o licy .

o f i gn or i n g .It pre suppose s a r estri cti on of a tten ti on

to on e or two a spec ts of sen sible perceptio n a n d it
o ffers these ra g s a n d ta tters a s represen ta tive o f the
exp a n se o f rea lity a s a whole 1
Th e Groun d c o n .
,

c ei v e d thus a rbitr a rily i s a lleged t o be di ff ere n t

,

i n cha r a cter fro m the im a gi n i n g which ga ve it co n

c ept u a l birth It is n ot a p sychic a l re a lity i e it
.
, . .

i s n o t a n exi ste n ce o f the typ e which belo n g s t o

co n sci o u s experie n ce It c on si st s by c o n ven ti on
.
, ,

o nly o f exte n ded re si sti n g thi n gs which m o ve a b o ut

,

i n c o mplex wa ys There i s no room i n thi s c ollec

.

ti on of mecha n ic a l thi n g s for a n ythi n g beyo n d wha t

h a s bee n put there If n o w you a sk h o w c on s ci o us
.

life c a me t o a ri se o ut o f this i n sen tien t Gro un d the ,

m a teri a li st h a s two replie s Very frequen tly he h a s .

told us th a t c on sci o us life i s m a tter in m o ti on 2

1
Indi vidua l a nd Rea li ty, pp . 94- 6 .

2
Bii chn er , V ogt , Molesch ott Letou , r
n ea u, et c. et c.
 MATERIALISM AND ALL IED HY POTHES ES 37

tho ugh he s eldo m a llo ws tha t thi s a ma zi n g iden ti ty

o bt a i n s el s ewhere th a n i n the bra i n Th e s ec on d .

reply a ver s th a t c on sci o u s life results fr om m a teri a l

m oti on ; m oti on e va p ora ti n g temp ora rily o ff the
ma teri a l system t o be tra n sfo rmed i n to c o n sci o us
life a n d a n on return i n g t o ma tter tra n sfo rmed i n to ‘

mo ti on a n ew Th e temp ora ry di sa ppe a ra n ce o f

.

mo ti on i s required by thi s soluti on ; a n o ccur

ren ce i n a mecha n ic a l wo rld which will excite
, ,

s urpri se . I n de ed the en tire c a u sa l riddle ra i sed by

,

the reply pro mi se s tro uble In thi s cl a ss of hyp o .

the si s the st a rti n g p oi n t i s t oo a bstra ct lea vi n g n o

-
,

s c o pe for the defe n ce .

Hi storic a lly spea ki n g we c a n ju stify Ma teri a li sm

, .

We ca n tra ce very pl a u sibly h o w the c ul t o f i t s

a b stra cti o n s c a me t o p a ss a n d h o w thi s cul t as ,

imp orted i n to p orti on s of scien ce h a s sub served ,

pra ctic a l en ds i n the m a i n very u seful t o m a n ki n d

, ,
1
.

There is a n eed for re a son i n g a b o ut the world a s Th uti li ty ,

e of
m t i li ti a er a s c
whittled d o wn in thi s wa y provided a lwa ys th a t w y f , a s o
th i k i g i n n n
we a r e n o t i n se a rch o f c omplet e truth Th e i i
.
s c en c e s no
Vi di on of
c on ven ien ce the p o wer of grip c on ferred by this th i w th
, ,
t i n
e r
ca
or as
c on ceptua l trea tme n t a re a ston i shi n g In Prof m t phy i
, . . e a s cs .

Ma cdouga ll s words SO lon g a s we ca n co n fiden tly

’ “
,

believe tha t a ll the eve n t s to be reckon ed with by

s cie n ce a r e but the m o ti on s Of m a sse s o r the tra n s ,

forma ti on s Of me a sura ble qua n titie s o f en ergy

a cc ordi n g t o ex a ct equa ti on s th a t c a n be c a lc ul a t e d

a n d theref o re fo retold the mi n d feel s it s elf a t h o me

,

a n d ma ster o f wh a t it de a ls with a n d there lie s ,

before it the pro spect o f a c on ti n ua l a pproa ch

to wa rds a co mpleted p o wer Of predictio n a n d c on trol
1
Indi vi dua l a nd Rea li ty, pp .
—
92 4 , 110- 11, a nd els e wh re e.
38 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

There i s thi s loud

”
of the future c o urse Of eve n ts .
1

n o te o f tri umph i n the s a yi n g of La pla ce tha t a

mi n d a wa re o f a ll m a sses their po siti on s a n d i n iti a l

, , ,

velo citie s c o uld foretell n a tura l h a ppe n in gs for

,

etern ity But a closed mecha n ic a l sys tem is wa n ted

by m a n y n ot o nl y to predi ct or c a lcul a te retro
,

s pe ct i v e ly with but to fur n i s h a co n ve n ie n t wa y of

,

thi n ki n g thi n g s to gether Pur s ui n g this a i m yo u .

,

get rid of (i e i gnor e decli ne to n oti ce ! ) a s much

. .
,

qua lity a s p o s sible a n d reduce thi n gs to qua n tities

o f a few S imple eleme n ts you ca n then con , ,

c oivo re a lity a s co n si sti n g o nly Of the se begga rly

eleme n t s a n d their fun cti on a l rel a tio n s There .

i s b orn a un iver s e o f p a rts extern a l to a n d i n de ,

pe n de n t of o n e a n o ther ; a so c a lled mecha ni stic

,
-

s ys tem i n which a n y on e p a rt a cts on a n o ther ,

a n d i s its elf a cted on onl y fr o m the out side You , .

c a n co ncei ve I sa y by thi s method of restricted

, ,

n o tice re a lity a tte n ua ted i n to mecha n ism But

, .

thi s c o mprehe ns ive View i s secured a t too gre a t a

c os t There i s a Fa lla cy of S i mp li ci ty which wa rn s
.
2

u s n o t to ex a lt to o h a stily a co n ve ni e n t me a n s o f

thi n ki n g thi n g s together i n to a Vi sio n o f a bsolute

truth If we t a ke the ma thema tic a l de scripti on
.

to o s eri o us ly we a re S li di n g i n the coul oir which

,

s l o pe s to phil oso phic a l Ma t eri a li s m bel o w There is .

litera lly a s Hegel urge s

, c o i n ciden ce o f the m a teri ,

a li s t with the exclu sively m a them a tic a l p oi n t o f

View .
3 ”
So n ot wi shi n g to stra n gle o urselves with
,

1
Body a nd M i nd A E Ta ylo, p . 144 . Cf . a lso . . r , Elements o f
M eta physi cs, p
19 2 , for some telli n g ema s
. r rk .

3
Cf Indi vi dua l a n d Rea li ty,
. Th e Fa lla cy of Si mpli city ,

3
Logi c f
o Hegel ,
W a lla ce , p . 16 1 . Th e m t
a t te p -
to whi ttl e

dow r n ea li ty i n to q
u a n t i t a ti v e di ff re ences Wi th out q li ty
ua
 MATERIALISM AND ALLIED H POT ES ES Y H 39

a n oos e o f o ur o wn m a ki n g to wit the mech a ni stic

,

device o r c on ven ti on we do well to tur n o n ce more ,

to Experie n ce the i n wa rd a n d o utwa rd pre se n t a n d

, ,

e n de a vo ur t o c on struct c on cepts fuller a n d richer ,

m ore lo ya l t o se n sible re a lity more a dequ a te to the ,

we a lth whi ch fills c on s ci o u s life a n d flo ws ri o tously

through the poor i n tellectu a l n et s i n which we seek
to hold it .

Th e i ssue i s of the first importa n ce a n d I wi ll loo k ,

a t it fro m a n o ther a n gle Wh a t wa s the a mbiti on.

o f m o der n philo s ophic a l Ma teri a li s m a n a ttitude ,

which put i t s tru st i n the belief th a t a ll kno wledge

c o me s fro m experie n ce ? It wa s t o S h o w th a t
Ultim a te Re a lity i s the sa me a s th a t re a lity which i s
p e r c e i v e d which
, i s pre s e n t o r give n i n s e n s ible e x

p e r i en c e — o f org a n i s m s w a ter m o un t a i n
, s s t o ck s , , ,

a n d s t on es et c ,
Th a t re a lity i s ide n tified with
.

Ma tter i n its va ried modes Of movemen t Here 1

.

lies the ma ster fla w Experie n ce c a n n ot verify

.

the hyp othe sis No o n e i n fa ct h a s ever per

.
, ,

c ei v e d thi s a st o ni shi n g Ma tte r Ma tter i s a n .

”
!
M a t t e, is
i ma gi na l crea ti on o f o ur o wn m a ki n g a co n cept o f ,

re a lity ha vi n g on ly a spect s Of exten si on i n erti a a n d o wn ma ki ng

, ,

m oveme n t ; some writers men ti o n n o m ore th a n

exte n si o n a n d i n erti a ; B a i n i n deed n otes i n erti a , ,

a l on e . It i s n ot o f c o urse thi s blo o dles s co n cept

, ,

which sen sible experie n ce revea ls Ma tter is .

n ot Na t u re with i t s i n defini tely v a ried a n d c o m

plex wea lth Na ture shows i n wh a t i s perceived

.
,

b m th
ec o es e r
mo e h o eless t he mo e p r q u a li ty i s i gn o ed a nd, in r
th t a sen se , eli mi n a t ed As soo n a s q u a li t y is a olis h ed ully, b f
q tit y l
.

ua n a so di sa pp r ea s .

1
Th e Ti me -a n d Sp -fr m tha ce - a e , on e ca nv a s o f whi h m t ri
c a e al
mov ements ha pp m
en , see ry ft t k s ve o en a en for gr t d !
an e
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
the flow of go rge o us sp a ce hun g time strun g a ppe a r
- -

a u ces e n j o yed by the un s o phi s tic a ted ma n — n o t i n a

de sicc a ted a fterthought o f the s tudy a c on ceptua l ,

device o r do dge by which irreleva n cie s a re

dropped a n d a rid c a lcul a tio n s fa cilit a te d Lo o k .

fo rth fro m the Ma tterhorn o ver the va ll ey o f S t

Nichola s a glory of light colo ur a n d S ha de fro m
, , ,

the depth s Of which a dull ro a r o f torren ts ri ses

—
t o wa rd gl a cier strewn pe a ks th a t i s a glimp se Of
-

Na ture a s pr i ma ry exper i en ce gi ves i t Co n tra st thi s .

o utl o ok with a so c a lled ul tim a te re a lity

-
Ma tter
the co n cept m a s quera di n g a s so methi n g m ore
which is sa id t o be merely extended r esi sti ng a nd ,

movi ng a n d you co nf ron t the swi n dle of Ma teri a li sm

,

a lre a dy exposed It i s impos sible you c a n n o w

.
,

ob serve t o verify Ma teri a lism by experie n ce

,
It is .

o nl y a sec on d a ry co n ceptu a lly doctored experie n ce -

which is a va ila ble for tha t quite impra ctic a ble job .

M a teri a lism then is co n victed of h a vi n g co nfused

, ,

Na tur e with Ma tter the glori o u s complex

pre sen t to percepti on with a n a rid wo rki n g co n cept -

b orn i n the study All its s ub se quen t offen ce s a re

.

i n evita ble The deriva ti on of experie n ced Na ture

.
,

a n d a b o ve a ll Of c o n sci o u s life fr o m i t s c on ceptua l

, ,

ul tima te re a lity becomes gro te s que There is .

n o me a n s of s huffli n g a n d r e sh u ffl in
”

g exte n si o n ,

“
i n erti a a n d m ovemen t so a s to yield wh a t
,
”
,
”

you de sire You c a nn o t get ou t o f the co n jur er s

.
’

h a t more th a n yo u h a ve put i n to it An d prob a bly .

y o u o n ly t o ler a te the a ttempt bec a u s e you a r e

supplyi n g un witti n gly t o Ma tter a n d Ma tter s ’

a lleged doi n gs a ll th a t gl o w of live se n sible qu a lity

which your a ctua l Na ture experien ce a lon e di spla ys-

.

In this wa y you a llow yourself a ll too re a dily to be

 THE W ORLD AS IMAGIN ATION

Force s were i n ve n ted origi n a lly to expl a i n

”
dep a rture s fro m the s upp o sed S imple n a t ur a l

fa ct th a t m o ti on ten ds to persi s t un ch a n ged i n

a m o u n t a n d directi o n Accepted a s . c a u se s o f
ch a n ge i n thi s field they were fo un d u seful i n o ther
,

qua rter s a s well There a r ose a group o f di sti n ct

.

“
a nd s epa r a te which c o ul d be di scussed
”
force s ,

a s b a l a n ci n g on e a n o ther s t a tic a lly o r a s c o mpelli n g

cha n ge s i n the dyn a mic o f Na tur e ( mo la r fo rce s ,

hea t gra vity c o he si o n chemic a l a ffin ity light

, , , , ,

electricity n erve fo rce

,
-
Men ta l force wa s
,

a l a te a ddi ti o n fa vo ured by a few l o o s e thi n ker s n o t ,

yet ; perh a p s quite exti n ct

, Fo rce i n the S i n
.
,

gul a r wa s a n a me for the su m tot a l o f the s e a lleged

,
-

di sti n ct exi ste n ts but it h a s bee n u sed a l so a s a

, , ,

s y n o n ym fo r the Pr o teu s En ergy a s in B a in s a n d

” ’
,

S pen cer s a cc oun ts of the Persi sten ce Of Force to

’

,
”

the pro ductio n of n o little c onf usi o n .

Force a s c a u se of a ctua l m o ti on o r a s exerti n g

,

wa s i n ve n ted
”
pre ssur e a s te n de n cy to mo ti on
, ,

o rigi n a lly fo r u se i n Mech a ni c s It pro vide s n o .

revela tio n o f a n y a ctu a l exi ste n t o per a tin g i n the

phe n o me n a de s cribed It i s a m a them a tic a l cre a ti on
.

o r ficti o n o f pr a ctic a l s ervice t o th os e wh o thi n k

a b o ut cert a i n a s pect s o f Na ture It i s a c o mm a n d .

c o n cept 4 ) which a s s ert s a n e n tity o f which ,

c a lcul a tor s c a n sa y th a t it i s l o c a li sed o r exerted

here o r there h a s s uch or s uch a directi o n a n d exi sts
, ,

i n s uch or s uch n umeric a lly c o mput a ble a m o un t s .

It s soul so t o s pe a k i s o ur pra ctic a l n eed

, ,
i t s b o dy
i s f ormed o f th os e ide a l feeli n g s o f re si s ted mu sc ul a r
e ff ort which bulk SO la rgely i n o ur live s All u se s .

o f the ficti o n Force reta i n thi s a tm osphere of

muscul a r exertio n ; force s a re eve n n ow di scussed
 M ATERIALISM AN D ALLIED HYPOTHES ES 43

as exerti n g pre ss ure Force i n brief h a s n o

.
, ,

pla ce i n the a ctua l re a lity o f Na tur e As pre sen t .

i n o ur thi n ki n g a bou t Na ture it i s a c o n cept c o mp a ct , ,

o f mu sc ul a r f e eli n g s which s ub s erve s c a lcul a ti o n

,
.

Force h a s ceded i t s pride o f pla c e to En ergy

a nd En ergetic s so fa r a s c os m o l o gic a l hyp o th e si s
”

i s c on cer n ed An d met a phy sic s let u s a dd h a s n o

.
, ,

u se fo r thi s S h a m e n tity We n eed n ot i n quire

-
.

gra vely whether ultima te re a lity c on s i sts Of Fo rce

“
or fo rce s whether the di scre di ted m a teri a l
u ni ts o f the m a teri a li st o ught t o be viewed a s the
“
meeti n g p oi n ts of fo rces a n d so o n We c a nn o t
-
.

i n terpret re a lity a s c o n si sti n g o nl y of o ur idea l

mu sc ul a r feeli n g s ! The Force c o n cept for meta -

physic s i s sterile .

A p a ssi n g further refere n ce to thi s c on cept duri n g

a l a ter di s cus si o n ( Pa rt II Cha p I V ) will exh a ust. . .

i t s i n tere st for u s .

9 . S terile
l a re
,
a so ,En ergy and En er O n En er g y

getic s En ergy
. i n tr o duce s u s t o the c on cept
“
o f the i n terch a n ge a bility o f i t s fo rm s i n defi n ite
qu a n titie s It a b oli she s thu s the a lleged c o exi st
.

e n ce o f di sti n ct a n d s ep a ra te force s a n d i s a n ,

a dmir a bl e c a lcul a t or s symb ol

’
It i s a ccepted by .

very m a n y writer s n o t o n ly a s a device o f thi n ki n g

, ,

but a s a defin ite fun da me n ta l exi sten ce i n de

p en den t o i thi s thi n ki n g It i s sa id t o S ho w i n a
.

va riety o f ki n etic m o de s o r to sleep in de fin

i tely ( S o ddy ) i n n umerou s p o te n ti a l f o rm s
”

without i n dic a ti n g i t s pre se n ce whether we a r e a ble ,

to i nf er i t s hidde n re a lity or n ot Some thi nkers .

ha ve go n e so fa r a s to i n clude co n sci o us processe s

 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION
a m ong i ts ki n etic m a ni fe st a ti on s or modes a n d ,

t o m a ke o f En ergetic s
”
a s thu s devel o ped a , ,

c o mprehe n sive s cheme whi ch i s Virtua lly a n ovel

meta phy sic s We S ha ll h a ve t o recur t o thi s t o pic
.

a t le n gth o n m ore th a n o n e o cc a si o n Ther e i s a .

ge n ui n e symb oli sm n o t a t a ll e a sy t o i n terpret o f, ,

which we S h a ll h a ve t o t a ke a cc o un t c omplic a ti on s
c onn ected with the l a ws of the Co n s erva ti o n
a nd D egra da ti on of En ergy whi ch n eed
c a reful tre a tme n t But o ur m a i n o bj e cti on s t o .

Energy
”
reg a rded a s m a n y seem t o reg a rd it a s
, , ,

a n ultim a te a ll expl a n a t o ry re a lity the gr o un d a like

-
,

of Na t ure a n d s e n tien t life c a n be sta ted forthwith , .

D ifli cult i es .
In li ste n i n g t o a ccoun t s o f the pro we ss o f
En ergy y o u m a y well be s w a yed by a p a s si n g
illus i on th a t it pro mi se s well You a r e the se a t of .

i n te n se a cti vi ty o f go yo ur self ; a n d you ca n

, ,
”

a lm ost feel a s it were , a n a n s weri n g a ctivity i n ,

thi n gs a ro un d Th e de a dn e ss
. o f the Old ma

t eri a li st s
’
m a tter seem s left behi n d But wha t .
,

a fter a ll i s the a ctive a gen t t o which you a r e bei n g

, ,

En ergy
”
i n tro duced , the c on ve n ie n tly me a s ur a ble
,

e n tity which i s supp o sed t o be so me h o w iden tic a l

thr oughout i t s pr o te a n forms ki n etic a n d p ote n ti a l ,

Yo u wi ll fin d th a t n ob o dy c a n tell yo u cle a rly .

It s tra n sfo rm a ti on s a re of a n It th a t n eve r

s h o ws u n a mbiguou sly — n o t eve n i n the ki n etic
even t s Wh a t i s the e n tity which i n soun d he a t
.
, ,

light electricity m ol a r m ovemen t s etc etc

, , , . .
,

eva de s you i n i t s very ch a n ge s Wh a t i s th a t the ,

n a me o f which s ugge s t s S leeple ss a ctivity which , ,

n everthele ss c a n sleep ,
it i s sa id so u n dl y i n i ts ,
”
,

pote n ti a l forms i n ni troglyceri n e a m o un ta i n l a ke

’
, , ,

or a n erve ce n tre - O nl y the temp ora ry cha n ges

 MATERIALIS M AN D A LLIED HYPOTH ES ES 45

in the form a n d rela tive a m oun t o f e n ergy a re

ma n ifest So lo n g a s e n ergy n eithe r C h a n ges i n

.

a m o un t n or po siti on i n s p a ce it bel on g s t o the un ,

s een a n d eter n a l No direct eviden c e of i t s exi st

.

en ce c a n be Obt a i n ed write s a di sti n gui shed

,
”

believer i n its rea lity 1

It s elu sive n e ss n o w begi n s
.

t o a nn o y you When En ergy sa llie s forth i n i t s

.

ki n etic form s it i s n ot a n y on e o f these i n p a rt ic ul a r

, ,

a n d a t other time s it i s n ot eve n t o be f o un d ! At

this sta ge you he a r men murmuri n g a phr a se to the
c a p a city for work No w thi s
”
e ffect tha t it i s .

cha ra cteri sa ti on o f En ergy as c a p a city for

wo rk me a n s th a t it ma y be a n a dmira ble c a lc u
l a tor s symbol a s i t u n do ubte dl y i s But it me a n s
’
,
.
,

a l so th a t n o system o f
,
En ergetic s will s erve o ur
purpo s e a s meta physici a n s tha t i s t o sa y a s person s , ,

wh o wa n t t o kn o w somethi n g a bout the ch a ra cter o f

ultim a te rea lity .

En ergy is n ot the moth erstu ff of phe nome na E g y . n er n ot

f
We c a nn o t c on sen t to reduce the u n iverse t o fifii ififig
u ‘

c a p a city or c a p a citie s for work Ca p a city .

”

s eem s t hi n An d wha t i s wo rki n g a n d wha t i s

the work th a t i s bei ng don e ? Th e View fro m
the Ma tterhor n a n d the sorr o ws o f Werther a re still
.
—
with u s They a re ju st wh a t they a re felt to be .

Why a ssert then th a t they a r e somethi n g else when

, , ,

y o u c a n n ot eve n p o i n t o u t wh a t th a t s o methi n g is

Th e ttempt to derive a s un set or c on scious i n di

a

v i du a ls fr o m c a p a cities for work seem s n u

promi si n g But if yo u t a ke En ergy too seri ously
.
, ,

y o u will cert a i nl y ha ve thi s j ob o n your h a n ds .

1
PI Of F . . Soddy , in Ma tter a nd En ergy, pp 3 2-3 . .
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
Ce a s e the mi su se Of En ergy a n d these a h

sur di tie s va n i sh En ergy

. i s n ot the stu ff o f
which the u ni vers e c on si st s It i s a feig n ed o r .

Comm n d e n tity
a - 4 ) a n d w o uld n ever h a ve bee n
i n ve n ted h a d n o t m e n w a n ted cert a i n me a sure
,

—
me n t s for pra ctic a l e n ds me a suremen t s fa cilit a ted
by belief i n a n e n tity c on ti n u o u s a n d ide n tic a l
thr o ugh o ut its m o de s Why i s thi s e n tity pre
.

Wh a t i t i s
’
. s e n t so v a guely i n i t s i n ve to r s mi d s
n n ? Why
c a nn o t me n i n t a lki n g o f it sa y preci sely Of wha t
, ,

they a r e thi n ki n g ? Why do they fa ll b a ck o n

phr ase s whe n h a rd pre ssed ? Bec a u se the phe n o
me n a a sserted t o be tr a n sform a ti o n s o f En ergy
, ,
”

a re too v a r i ed Co l o ur s ta ste n eura lgi a pl a n t

.
, , ,

gro wth explo si o n s the ru nni n g of a m o tor ca r t h e

, ,
-
,

writi n g o f P a ra d i se Lost e n j oyme n t o f a son a ta o r

,

picture— the se a n d myri a ds o f o ther c o n tra sted

phe n o me n a h a ve bee n s upp o sed t o m a ni fe s t
En ergy En ergy i s lo st i n the i n defi n ite
va riety o f i t s a lleged mo de s Wha t i s there co m .
”

“
mo n to p o te n ti a l En ergy i n a steel spri n g a n d the
“
En ergy which yo u c o n te n d is bei n g tra n sfo rmed
, ,

i n a s u n s et a chemic a l c o mbi n a ti o n or m o ra l e ff o rt
,

Cle a rly the me n ta l repre se n t a ti o n o f En ergy h a s

to be i n determi n a te i e s uch th a t o n e c a n n o t sa y
,
. .

preci sely wh a t it is i n c o n tra st w ith wh a t it i s n ot .

It s soul a s th a t o f
”
,
Force i s our n eed tha t n eed ,

1s wh a t pr o mpt s u s t o cre a te it It s b o dy h o wever .

, ,
”
i s di ff ere n t fr o m th a t o f Fo rce It do e s n ot .

c on si st o f ide a l mu scul a r e ffort which i s felt f a i n tly

wh en ever we t a lk o f i t s a m o un t It c on si sts of a .

much m ore suit a ble stuff of the va gue u n a n a lysed ,

feeli n g o f ge n er a l o rg a ni c h a ppe ni n g which i s a lwa ys

with us Fa ili n g thi s b o dy it wo uld m ove i n to o
.
,
“
En ergy
”
ra re a n a tm o sphere t o hold a tte nti o n .
,
 MATERIALISM AN D ALLIED HYPOTHES ES 47

i n fin e , i s im a gi n a l cre a ti o n very useful to thi nk O t f wh

an u o at

w1t h but wron gly supp osed by so me to mirr or

“
fa ithful ly i n th ought a c orre sp on di n g re a lity pre se n t E gy n er

t d? cr ea e

In the t hi n g s th o ught a bout Th e a lleged r e a ll t y In

.

que sti on i s n ever di sc overa ble a n d i t s c h a ra c t eri sa ,

ti o n a s c a p a city for work i s a wa y Of a b a n do n

i ng the quest .

Thu s the e n tra n ce o f En ergy i n to met a physics “

En erg y a nd

i s quite a b s urd Nevertheless those wh o reject

.
,
ma t e”

the Old m a teri a li sm but like witha l i t s c a mpa ig n

, , ,

a g a i n st a n
y a n d every phil o s o phy o f s pirit ( i e a n y . .

a ttitude which tre a t s the u n iver s e a s a p sychic a l

re a lity such a s we kn o w di rectly i n o ur selve s ) a r e ,

pro n e t o welc o me it An d ta lki n g a b o ut it a s

.
,

ultim a te re a lity they m o ve to wa rd a g n ostici sm the

, ,
“ ”
cult o f the Un kn owa ble Th e st a ge s o f thi s
.

’
s tr a n ge r a ke s pr o gre ss a r e a s f ollo w s Verific a tion .

of the En ergy hyp o the si s i s defe a ted by ex

p er i e n c e . E n ergy i s n ever reve a led by ( but
a lwa y s lurki n g be hi n d ) the p a rticul a r tra n sfo rm a ti o n

which i s i n View It s . a lleged m o de s a r e t o o

“
va ried The p ote n ti a l En ergy a scribed t o the
.
”

steel s pri n g a n d the En ergy met a m o rph o si n g it s elf

,

i n a s un s et a chemic a l ch a n ge or i n
, work o n ,

the di ffere n ti a l c a lculu s l oo k so utterly differe n t !

,

En ergy i s t o be everywhere a n d yet n o wher e i s it ,

fo u n d n a ked a n d u n a sh a med Ho w i s the belief i n it .

t o be S a ved En ergy mu st be m a de the u n der

lier or s ub st a n ce Of phe n ome n a their u nk n o wa bl e ,

groun d An d slo wly th ere re sults a cult o f thi s

.

UN KN OWAB LE gro u n d : a c ul t ho wever which , ,

c a nn o t pre serve strictly tha t la ck o f k n o wledge

which it a ffects To begi n with the UN K N OWA B LE
.
,

i s greeted a s the i n fi nite a n d eter n a l En ergy

 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

whe n ce a ll phe n ome n a proceed An d th a t i s to sa y

.

a go od de a l It s vota ries e a ch a n d a ll will be s ure

, ,

to sa y more a bout It l a ter . Thi s procedure ma y

s eem i n c o n s i ste n cy it self i n a c t but it i s certa i nly
,

th a t of a t le a s t o n e gre a t philosopher whose voice

, ,

h a s h a d p o wer to m a ke hist ory .

En ergy -
specul a tio n trea ted a s symboli sm i s to
, ,

co nfro n t u s a g a i n i n Pa rt II a n d Pa rt III It
. .

pre se n t s complic a tio n s which c a nn o t p ossibly be

do dged But its fa ilure to provide a fo u n da ti on
.

fo r me ta ph ysi c s i s n o w obvi o u s
'

An d th a t for the
.

m o me n t i s the m a i n c o n sidera ti on t o which we

a tt a ch weight .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

me n d it self t o Thei sts for a ra dic a lly u n k n owa ble

,

Na ture a dom a i n by definitio n shut o ff fro m con

,

s ci o u s experie n ce wo ul d be out side the di vi n e

,

experie n ce a s well a s o ur s It i s a view which .

wo ul d s cree n fro m God the very world which He i s

s a id t o h a ve cre a ted Go d woul d be a Po wer c om
.

p e ll e d t o w o rk i n the d a rk

I do n ot pro p o se t o r e di scu ss the mecha ni stic a n d

-

a lli ed views o f N a ture a lre a dy de a lt with An d the .

c a se for ide a li stic N a ture philo sophy h a s yet t o be

-

s t a ted I wi sh t o a ccept Na ture a s a provi n ce o f

.

re a lity formi n g a t a n y r a te a n imp orta n t a spect

, ,

o f the u ni v e r s e but on e a b o ut the ch a r a cter o f which

,

we n eed n ot for the m o men t sa y much Th e p oi n t

, , .

o f p a r a m o u n t pre s e n t imp o rt a n ce i s the s t a n di n g

o f the Go d wh o i s s a id t o cre a te a n d co nf ro n t thi s

Na ture a n d it s implic a ted fini te i n di vi dua ls Wha t .

ver ifica ti on i s a v a il a ble for hyp othe s is o f thi s Thei stic

type ? If we fa ce thi s i s sue hon e stly we s h a ll ,

a chieve on e gre a t triumph a t le a st We s h a ll .

re a li se h ow u n dogm a tic te n t a tive a n d e xperi

, ,

men t a l a n y ge n ui n e o utre a chi n g t o truth i n this

ki n d of i n quiry must be .

2 We a re di scu ssi n g o nl y certa i n represe n ta tive

.

hyp othese s a s t o the Gr ou n d An d n ote th a t we .

a r e de a li n g o nl y with th a t speci a l f o rm o f Thei sm

whi ch s upp ose s Go d to be the i n fi nite perso n a l

cre a t or ; with the ide a o f Go d a s he i s wa n ted for
philo sophy by D e sc a rte s the God wh os e cla im s a re
,

i n ve stig a ted with such rigour by Ka n t ; the God

whom S ch ol a stici sm a dored a s the sum tota l o f -

a ll Re a lity a n d Perfecti o n
”
There i s we mu s t
.
,

rec a ll a very imp orta n t hypothesi s to the e ff ect

,
 S CH OLASTIC THE ISM
tha t God i s fin ite or li mi ted i n bre a dth of bei n g ,
1
,

p o wer wisdom or m ora l excelle n ce or eve n i n a ll

, ,

the se respect s a like ; a n d weighty m a tter h a s bee n

writte n i n thi s c o nn ecti on by Jo hn S tua rt Mi ll ,

Willi a m Ja me s F C S S c hi ller a n d o thers ,

2
. But . .
,
.

we a re g oi n g t o defer exa mi n a ti o n o f thi s fo rm o f

Th e i sm t o a l a ter st a ge i n t o whi ch it will f a ll n a tur ,

a lly .We ca n perh a p s a ssert truthfully the re a lity o f

, ,

a fi n ite go d or eve n g o d s i n the s e ns e o f c o n s ci o u s ,

p o wer s o f a superhum a n o rder so me a t le a st exa lted ,

imme a sur a bly a b o ve o ur selve s though n ot perfect ,

a s the ide a l o f I n fini te Perfecti on exa ct s 3

Men .

a r e i n cli n ed t o reg a rd s uch p o wer s a s be n evo le n t ,

but it ma y be n ece ssa ry t o i nf er m a levole n t super

hum a n s a s well : a deci sio n mu st de pen d o n wha t
the a va ila ble evide n ce sugge st s Wha t ho wever .
, ,

I de sire t o urge n ow i s th a t we a re n ot di scu ssi n g

a p ower or p o wer s limited by so me i n wa rd n e c e s ,

si t y o r by re a litie s o ther th a n themselve s

, wi thi n ,

Ultima te Re a lity Th e gi a n t fin ite a n d the dwa rf .

fini te n eed n ot for the mo men t be p a rted i n o u r

, ,

thought B oth a like a r e p oi n ts on ly wi thi n Ultim a te

.

—
Rea lity bubbles on the o cea n of the i nfini te We .

a r e c o n sideri n g the oce a n .

An d tha t o ce a n the hypothe si s a ssert s i s a , ,

c ons ci ou s Perso n c o n ceived a s perfectly wise a ll, ,

po werful a n d ide a lly mora l

, holy We mu st
1
The a ctu a l pr
w r hi pp r h w th t th m j rity
a cti ces o f o s e s s o a e a o

pu t th ir tr t i
e fi i b i g wh m th y d i r t i
us n a k n te e n o e es e o nv o e as

an Ally
M y G d Al mi gh ty gr t Hi id
.

a o an s a

T K wi k d i t w ll
o tr d es c an s oo en a e

Cf l d R li y pp 2 3 9—
2
. I di i d l
a so n v40 ua an ea t , .

d R li y P rt h p
.

3
Cf I di i d l
. n v ua an Th ea t , a III . c a . vu . e

Desti ny of In di v i du als .
”
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
be q uite cle a r o n the poi n t D i scu ssio ns of this sort .

a r e t oo of t e n i n s i n cere We must n ot t olera te for

.
,

i n sta n ce the s ub stituti on of a timeless sta tic

, ,

Ab s olute spiritu a l but s uperper son a l for the per

, ,

so n a l D eity s upp o sed There is a s t a le o ld device

.

which c o n si st s i n a rgui n g for a fro ze n Ab solute of

the Hegeli a n type a n d ta lki n g a n on to the u n critic a l
a s if thi s wa s the co n sciou s Per so n a ll wise a ll -
,

powerful a ll holy i n who se service Chri sti a n theo

,
-
,

logi a ns h a ve fo ught It i s t o be fe a red th a t theo

r e t i ca l i n terest s a r e n o t a lwa ys the so le prompti n gs

tha t m o ve men to philosophic a l thi nki ng .

Th e hyp o the si s the n a s serts th a t In fin ite Per

, ,

fec ti o n i s embra ced by a c o n sci o u s Per so n But .

,

perh a p s yo u re se n t the term hyp o the sis yo u

,
—
a ppe a l u n to Fa ith or a s peci a l light c a lled ,
“
i n tuiti o n a n d you r a te their deliver a n ce s a bove
,

tho s e o bta i n a ble by i n tellectua l i n quiry

3 Fa ith i s foreig n to phil o so phy t he critic a l

.
,

a n d ope n eyed rethi nki ng of thi n gs

-
It see ks to o .

o fte n to c o mpel or feig n belief i n wha t c a nn ot

p ossibly be true An d it spe a ks to gl a dden the
.

hea rt r a ther th a n fill the he a d a n d a la s ! i n a , ,

tho u sa n d co n fli cti n g voice s As rega rds i n tu i .

”
ti o n , we h a ve di scu ssed its cl a im s before ( I n tro
“
ducti on 5 I n tuiti o n a n d
, ,
There
a r e i n deed ge n ui n e illumi n i stic i n tuitio n s
, ,
but the ,

hypothese s ba sed o n them o ught to be te sted by

experien ce ; o ught n ot to be thro wn a t us like ,

b on e s t o a do g t o be devoured wi tho ut que sti o n

,
.

I n tuitio n s which do n ot c o mpri se a porti o n a t ,

le a st of the re a lity sa id to be i n tuited a n d whi ch

, ,
”

do not e n a ble th ose h a vi ng them to i ndi ca te their

 S CHOLASTIC THEI SM
discoveries to others ma y be di smi ssed a s wo rth ,

le ss All eg ed illumi ni stic i n tuiti o ns o ught t o her a ld

.

p a tie n t verific a ti o n a n d exp o siti on Accepted wi th .

n eglect o f verific a ti o n they le a d the m ost a ble ,

philosophers a stra y The s e p hi lo so pher s i n a

.

hurry wa n t a sec ure b a si s for thi n ki n g But a s .

,

e a ch o n e wa n ts a di ff ere n t b a si s there re sul t s di s ,

a greeme n t as to wh a t i n tuiti o n a tte st s Q u ot .

homi n es tot dei — or eve n Ab solute s ! Thi s m a n

,

a d ore s a pers o n a l a n d o fte n rude Je wi s h Mo h a m

, , ,

meda n or Milton ic go d ; a n other e g S chelli n g

, ,
. .
,

sight s a spiritu a l Ab so lute ; a n o ther e g S pe n cer ,

. .
,

‘ ’
with hi s i n definite c on sci o u sne ss a n u n kn o wa ble ,

Absolute I n tuiti o ni s m like Fa ith give s ri se to a

.
, ,

In I n di a In tuiti o n
”
b a bel o f di sc orda n t vo ice s 1
.
,

ma y decla re tha t Ultim a te Rea lity i s o f the cha r a cter

o f K n o wledge a n d Bli ss i n Germ a n y a n d i n the ,

person of S cho pen h a uer tha t it i s b a ld Will On a

lo wer level the Ka i ser o f 19 16 with hi s S ton e Age
, ,
-

mora lity i s ,
i n tuitively certa i n tha t he i s the
a ge n t o f a holy Go d Riva l i n tuition i st s pro te st
. .

Illumi ni stic i n tuiti o ns a t fir st c on cern o n ly the , ,

i ndi vidua l wh o e n j oys them If they a r e to be .

proffered to o thers a s well they mu st c o me i n a ,

sha pe which c o urt s verific a ti o n An d tha t i s to sa y .

tha t they mu st t a ke the form o f hyp othe se s a n d

en ter i n to some system a tic pl a n o f thi n ki n g whi ch
c onnects them i n the pro ce ss o f bei n g verified with
, ,

the re st o f experie n ce We c a n n o t pro fit by mum .

bli n g a sserti on s whi ch u n til verified a re n oi se s ; , ,

a n d we do n ot wa n t eve n verified a sserti o n s t o be

e n terta i n ed if th a t were p o s sible a loo f fro m o u r

, ,

rem a i ni ng kn owledge .

1
Indi vi dua l a nd Rea li ty, pp . 2 37—
8 .
 THE WORL D AS IMAGINATION

In fin e , the gross a bu se s o f the i n tuiti on cult -

c ompel c a uti on An a lleged priva te i n tuiti o n mu st

.

be c on verted i n t o the hyp o thesi s whi ch a n y a n d

every c o mpete n t i n quirer c a n te st .

4 . No w
the c a se for schol a stic Thei sm as ,

”
every s cho olb o y k n o ws is de a lt with very e ffec ,

t i v ely by K a n t i n h i s critici sm o f the so c a lled -

O n tologic a l Co sm ologic a l a nd Teleologic a l Argu

, ,

men t s I a m st a ti n g here wh a t a ppe a r t o be the

.

m a i n defect s o f the se wa ys o f i nf erri n g the re a lity

of Go d : o f the I n fi ni te Perfecti o n which i s a l so a
co n sciou s Per so n .

5 . Th e O
t l gic a l Argumen t ( which i n it s
n o o ,

C a rte si a n form h old s tha t the c o n cept o f a c o m

,

p l e t e ly perfect bei n g implie s the n eces sa r y exi s te n ce

1
of its Object trie s to p a ss fro m th o ught t o re a lity
beyo n d a n d i n depe n de n t o f th ought K a n t demurs .

th a t there i s n o m a rch fro m mere c on cepts to rea lity

i n depe n den t o f them L et u s put the critici sm i n .

a m o der n f orm with such a dditi ons a s ma y prove

,

releva n t .

( ) A
1 l a rge p o rti o n o f o ur co n ceptu a l thought
i s useful r a ther th a n true o r a g a i n ma y be o f , , ,

th a t c o mm a n d type which we h a ve di scussed very

-

rece n tly ( Cha p II the type which c o mm a n d s

. .

it s o bject to fla sh i n to bei n g a n d feig n s tha t this

1
On th ese lin e s Go d i s con cei v ed a s a co p p rf t B i g
m letely e ec e n .

Non -exis t en ce i s an im p rf
e e c ti o n . Th r f r t h
e e o e p ti fe con ce on o

th e p rf
e e ct Bi e ng p
i m li es th a t h e i t r lly i
ex s s hi m lf
ea nd se an

n ot si p
m ly i n D esca rt es
’
th ou gh t . Th e i t p l ty
ex s en ce , on en a

f r
of sel -con t a di cti on , f oll o ws logi ca lly fr m th d fi i ti
o e f e n on o a
 S CH OL AS TIC T HEISM
re sult i s a chieved In thi s wa y a c o n ceptu a l Go d
.

ma y be wholly priva te to the t hi n ki n g o f the i n di

“
vidua l wh o c on ceive s him ; implic a ti on s eve n ,
”

“
if n ece ssa ry ( which ma y mea n form a lly con
si s t e n t a n d n o thi n g m ore ) i n the c on ceptu a l field ,

do n o t c a rry him i n evit a bly bey o n d i —

t to re a lity
exi sti n g i n i t s o wn right whether there i s a c on ,

c e i v i n g o f it o r n o t N o merely c on ceptu a l proo f

.

o f the re a lity o f Go d o ught t o c a rry a n y weight .

Con cep ts a r e for ms of i ma gi n a ti on whi ch ma y i llu s

tra te on ly the i n i ti a ti ve of the i n di v i dua l .

( )
2 No t every o n e would co n ceive m ost perfect
“
a n d re a l bei n g the su m tota l o f a ll Rea lity a n d
,
-

Perfecti o n a s a perso n
,
An d tho se who re s ta te
.

the O n tol ogic a l Argume n t i n the Hegeli a n wa y

h a ve o fte n i n fa ct di sc a rded the c on cept o f a
, ,

Perso n for th a t of a superper son a l Ab solute O n ce .

more we see th a t the c on cept u sed m a rks the priva te

i n iti a tive o f the i n dividu a l O bvi ou sly a n Argu .

men t which ca n be m a n ipul a ted i n thi s m a n n er i s

o f n o u se to Thei s m a t a ll .

6 . Co smolo gic a l Argume n t ( a conti ngenti d Th

Th e e
1 ”
mu nd i ) trie s to work b a ck fro m c o n ti n ge n t thi n g s 22233355
1
1

a n d eve n t s which could be co n ceived a s well n o t t o

,

o ccur a s t o o ccur t o their a b solutely

, necessa r y

Grou n d It i s urged th a t thi s Gro u n d i s the m ost

.

perfect a n d re a l bei n g the su m tota l o f a ll Re a lity

,
-

a nd Perfecti o n whereup on o f c o ur s e the c on

, , ,

c ept ua l trifli n g o f the O n tol ogic a l Argume n t t a ke s

pl a ce over a g a i n Wha t h a s bee n sa id i n

. 5
a pplie s therefore to thi s li n e o f
, ,
proo f a s well .

Th e s a t teme n t of the Co smologic a l Argume n t ha s

 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
bee n me n ded by ide a li st s
a But the fa ilure o f the .
1

co n te n ti o n i n resp ect of Thei sm i s a pp a re n t o n ce

, ,

a n d for a ll NO on e ca n show withi n the limits

.
,

of the a rgume n t why a n ,

—
ece ssa ry Gro u n d if
such there be shoul d be reg a rded a s a per son a l
-

Go d .S uch a c on cept belon g s t o the sphere of the

i n di vi du a l c o n ceiver is ( n ot a s K a n t woul d sa y a , ,

regul a tive a pr i or i Ide a o f the Re a son but )

a n im a gi n a l i n ve n ti o n wherewith some me n but by ,

n o me a n s a ll try to c o mplete their thi nki n g

,
Th e .

n eces sa ry Go d exists but o nly i n s uch he a ds a s

,

require Hi s a i d There i s n o c a ll a s yet to believe

.
, ,

tha t He exists i n His o wn right .

7 . Th e or D e sig n Ar gume n t is
Tele ol ogic a l ,

u n doubtedly the m ost pop ul a r o f the three But

, .
,

a t be st it c o uld o n ly fur nish evide n ce o f a de sig n er

,

( o r desig n er s ) who co n fr o n t s N a ture a n d History

a n d o rders them i n co n formity with e n d s It h a s .

i n view the a rchitect but n ot the m a teri a l o n ,

which the a rc hi tect works The N 0 6? o nly sh a pe s .

a give n va riety But to i nf er a fini te god ( or g o ds )

.

woul d n ot su ffice We a re i n quest o f a crea ti ve .

God wh o i s m a nifest i n desi gn a nd the field of the

,

desi gn a li ke To i nf er this cre a tive God we s ha ll

.

h a ve to a ppea l to the di scredited Co s mologic a l a n d

O n tologic a l Argumen ts a ga i n .

N ote a l so tha t we a re not i n a po sitio n to i nf er

, ,

tha t the hypothetic a l a rchitect or de sig n er i s per

fe ctly wise n othi n g perfect bei n g fou n d i n this
,

world A pre se n t da y Ka n t would cite the defects

.
-

to be n ot ed eve n i n the c a se of the hum a n eye .

An d the evils th a t do n ot s ub serve but merely ma r , ,

1
Cf Indi vidual
. a nd Rea li ty p 2 4 6 , . et se
q .
 58 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION
struggle wa s by suppositio n p a rt
, , of the D esig n
’
er s
pl a n
.

On 8 . There i s
ide a lism which gets rid of a
an
I
“g zfifigj
fi d de s ig n c o n ti n ge n t t o a n d s o mehow t hr ust o n , ,

1
$32 3533 t h i ngs But its .n o tio n o f a de sig n n a ti ve to
“
or ,

imm a n en t i n re a lity a form belo n gi n g to the

, ,

c on ten t which s ho ws it h a s n o speci a l va lue ,

for Thei sm ; a boli s he s i n f a ct th a t c o n ti n ge n cy , ,

which Thei sm i n the old D esig n Argume n t i s

, ,

i n voked to de a l with .

Ultim a te Re a lity if spiritu a l ma y well pos se ss

, ,

th a t a spect which a s u nf olded i n the time o rder

,
-
,
“
we c a ll imm a n e n t purp o sive n e ss We c a nn ot .
,

h o wever ig n ore the riddle s which beset eve n thi s

,

so luti o n Th e i n dictme n t o f the world by pe ss i

.

mi sts h a s t o be a n swered a n d tha t i n a wa y which ,

do dge s n o diffic ultie s An a n swer o f thi s ki n d .

wo uld be o n e o f the be st po ssible te sts of the worth

o f a pr o p o s ed a dva n ce i n met a phy sic s Is Ultim a te .

Re a lity i n truth wh a t o ur o ptimi st s wo ul d wi sh it

, ,

t o be 2 Ca n we a ccou n t for the time order wi thou t -

c mp
o r omi s i g i
n t ? I believe th a t thi s c o n summa
tio n SO devoutly to be wi shed i s ope n to u s
, , .

F ut il i ty f
9 9 Befo re t a ki ng le a ve o f the old D e sig n Argu
.

me n t n ote h o w futile it wo ul d be t o buttre ss it

mira cl e "
,
" ,

with a cc ou n ts o f a n y mira cle s whi ch the sto ry

o f a pl a n et might c o n t a i n I sa y n othi n g a s t o the .

lege n da ry cha ra cter o f tho se a ccoun t s which a re

fo un d i n the sa cred bo oks o f the Ea st a n d We st
the o bjecti on i s to the mi sta ke o f pri n ciple i n volved .

A r em a rka ble occurre n ce ( sa y the ra isi n g o f the de a d ,

 S CH OLAS TIC HEISM
T

or the de structi o n of a Con ti n e n t ) which implied ,

the i n terve n ti on o f a S uperhum a n worki n g perha p s , , ,

with n o vel n a tura l a gen cies wo uld be o f n o worth ,

to s chol a stic Thei sm S uperhuma n s sufficien tly

.
,

wi se p ote n t a n d m or a l t o merit the title o f g o ds

, , , ,

ma y be n umero us But belief i n on e or m a n y such

.

p ower s or i n o n e p o wer s upreme i n thi s c o rn er o f

, ,

the co smo s with subordi n a te p o wer s a t hi s c a ll

, ,

would n o t help o ut the old D e sig n Argum e n t Th e .

que st o f thi s Argume n t i s n ot the re a lity o f a gi a n t

“
fi n ite p o wer but the s um to ta l o f a ll Re a lity a n d
,
-

Perfecti o n reg a rded a s a Co nsci o u s Per so n Do

”
.

y o u s ugge s t th a t the A rgume n t s eek s t o o much a n d ,

tha t hum a ni ty woul d be quite c on te n t t o believe

i n a fi n ite but very wi s e very p o werful a n d very
, ,

be n evole n t Go d o r Go ds 2 Very well But i n tha t .

“
c a se a b a n don fra n kly the Old s ch ol a stic Ide a o f
the Rea so n a n d let u s hie to some form Of Thei sm ,

verific a ti o n of which seem s a t le a st po ssible .

10 . c on cept o f Ultima te Re a lity a s a per C l di g

Th e on c u n
m “
fgggf
‘
so n a l Go d i s explic a ble i n p a rt p s ych ol o gic a lly by fi
‘
, ,

i t s hi sto ry Th e c o n cept i s a n im a gi n a l cre a ti o n

.
,

a n d the stuff o u t o f which it i s cre a ted i s wh a t i n ,

Cli fford s l a n gu a ge we ma y term

’
, Eject An .
”

Eject i s a con sci ous exp er i en ce li ke hi s own which ,

ma n ej ects o r l a u n che s i ma gin a lly i n to perceived

thi n g s such a s org a ni sm s m o un ta i n s river s sky , , , ,

e tc .
,
a n d a n o n i n to the experie n ced co smic o rder a s

a wh ole In the c a se Of cert a i n thi n g s s uch a s

.
,

Smith s body a s I perceive it thi s ejectio n r epre

’
,

s e n t s s ufficie n tly well the re a li ty o f prim a ry i n tere s t

( to wit S mith the se n tie n t i n dividu a l ) a n d i s there

, , ,

fore true In the c a se Of the to t a lity o f e xp er i

, .

en c ed thi n g s the e j ecti o n m a y t a ke the form o f a

 THE WORLD AS IM AG INATION

gi a n t per son a lity There i s produced wha t we ma y

.
,

c a ll the c o smic Eject o ut o f whi ch l a ter i s m a n u

, ,

fa ct ur e d by el a b or a te c on ceptu a l fin i shi n g pro

,

ce sse s the Thei stic su m to t a l o f a ll Re a lity a n d

,
-

Perfecti o n Do you urge th a t thi s eject l a u n chi n g

.
-

bri n g s ma n ever m ore n ea r t o a Re a lity whi ch the

co smic Eject h o wever po orly a n d da rkly serve s
, ,

Ra w ma teri a l t o r e r esen t ?
p I a gree T h e Re a.lity i s o f a ki n d
o f t h e Con c e
of a
G od
Pr e s on a
t
which our o wn c o n sci o u s experie n ce sa mple s for
.

us. But I mu st a sk yo u to c a rry further yo ur

improveme n t o f the Eject You c a nn o t t a ke o ver.

the Eject of the pl a i n m a n i n a n y even t No t eve n .

the tra ditio n a l Thei sm do e s tha t Thei sm h a s .

exp a n ded the Eject i n to a perso n a l su m to ta l o f -

a ll Re a lity a n d Perfecti o n We too mu st be .

”
, ,

a ll o wed to exp a n d it i n o ur o wn wa ubject lw y

y s a a s ,

to the cl a im s o f verific a ti o n It i s o n thi s b a s i s

.

tha t we build We o we n othi n g t o a n a pr i or i

.

regula tive Ide a o f the Re a so n ma y rej e ct o u t ,

”

right thi s a rtifici a l supp ositio n o f Ka n t s Critique ’

.

A p s ych ol o gic a l pro ce ss h a s pr o vided the s ta rti n g

p oi n t fro m which we a re t o pu sh forwa rd to truth .

Ca n the Gro u n d o f phe n o me n a be sa id to be

c ons ci o u s 2 Th a t i s n o t the sa me thin g a s a ski n g if
it i s a Per so n O f thi s riddle a n o n Me a n whi le let
. .

me p oi n t o ut a stra n ge reflecti on whi ch o ught t o

v e x th o s e wh o reg a rd it a s a Per so n Why i s thi s .

Perso n a n d n ot o n e o f the o ther i n definitely n um e r

,

o u s per so n s or ce n tre s o f c o n sci o u sn es s t h e su m ,

t o t a l of a ll Re a li ty a n d Perfecti on D id Ch a n ce ,

u n utter a bly tra gic a llo t t o o n e cen tre o f c o n sci o u s

,

n e s s the so vereig n ty o f the wo rld to a n o ther the ,

petty experie n ce o f hum a n life to yet a n o ther the ,

mi sery o f feeli n g the vivi sectors bl a de s ? Lo o k a t it

’
 THE WORLD AS IM A IN ATION G
ju st a s do a vo wed met a physici a n s s uch as D esc a r te s ,

L eibnitz Hegel a n d S cho penh a uer

, , .

Ag n os t ic Ph e There i s g n o stic o r ig n ora n ce a ttitude which

an a -

n o men a lis m.

re stricts o ur kn o wledge t o b a re phe n o me n a t o the

flo w o f va ni s hi n g percepti ons th o ught s vo liti o n s , , ,

a n d em o ti o n s It do e s n ot sa y a n yt hi n g a b o ut
.

wh a t m a y lie beyo n d the s e— i f it a llo ws th a t a n y

thi n g do e s so lie At the fir st gl a n ce we seem t o
.

c on fro n t merely a refu sa l t o t a lk met a physic s But

“
t h e belief th a t we c a n n ot get beyo n d o ur per
c e t i o n s a n d th o ught s implie s met a phys ic s i
p e a ,
. .

theo ry a bout Rea lity There i s i n vo lved a p sych o

.

lo gic a l idea li s m which supp o ses tha t e a ch mi n d

i s c o n ver sa n t o nl y with it s o wn st a te s o f c o n

s c io u sn ess There i s n o rec og n iti on o f a n i n de

”
.

pe n den t Na ture Th e phe n ome n a o f the so c a lled

.
-

exter n a l world a s B a i n c a ll s it h a ve to be tre a ted

, ,

a s p o rti o n s o f the s t a te s o f c o ns ci o u s n e ss of

i n defin itely n umero us Mi n ds There i s n o .

”

wi n do w o pe ni n g o n t o a n yt hi n g beyon d .

On the se li n es a ll the re a lity tha t I kn ow co nsi sts

o f my s t a te s of c on sci o u sn e ss there bei n g
s o metime s the a dmi ssi on th a t a Mi n d a lso i s ,
”

kn o wn i n the form o f the i n explic a ble tie which

o bt a i n s betwee n the s e s t a te s a tie w hi ch a s Mill , ,

urged is a s re a l a s the s ta te s them selves so methi n g

, , ,

i n f a ct c o mmo n t o them a ll
,
.

All t hi s is met a physic s p oor meta physic s a t ,

a nd

tha t The hyp othe si s i s tha t Re a lity i s fo u n d a m o n g

.

phe n ome n a of Mi n ds which phe n ome n a a re the ,

”

“
Mi n ds o wn sta tes of c onsciousn ess Verifica
“’
.
”
 A GNOS TICISM
ti on fa ils bec a u se experie n ce revea ls n o Mi n d It fu d
, s n a

s hut up withi n the clo sed e sta te o f i t s posse s si o ns

1
fiififfifflff
‘

3 5233
All tha t experie n ce seem s t o wa rr a n t i s beli ef i n a 2 235
,
5

cen tre of co n sci o u s life whose territory lie s o pen to a ll

,

the wi n ds th a t blo w who se c on te n ts a re pe n etra ted

,

by a n d o f o n e ti ssue with co n te n t beyo n d it

, , .

Thi s ki n d of th o ught n e a rs the ide a li stic Nihi lism It s r e la ti o n

But i n Nihili sm
o

n o ticed before ( Ch a p I .

eve n the i n explic a ble tie va ni shes ; there i s a

c omplete reductio n o f experie n ce t o di screte p sychic a l
Thi s a ttitude i s n o t a de n i a l o f met a
”
s t a te s .

physic s ; i t i s meta physic a l o n err on eo u s li n e s .

Th e hypothe si s i s th a t s en tie n ts a r e i n explic a bly

s ep a r a te stre a m s o r s erie s o f p syc hi c a l s ta te s in ,

which a ri se the i llu sive ficti o ns of s elve s a n d

”
i n depen den t worlds Th e stre a ms or. series
them selves a re decl a red u nre a l At the very o u t .

set , o f c o ur s e verific a ti on fa il s S e n tie n t experi

,
.

e n ce i s qui te o ther th a n the hyp othe si s t a ke s it

t o be .Di screte p sychic a l sta te s a re i n ven ti ons ;
truthless ficti o ns of a n i ma gi ni ng whi ch i gnores the
conti n u u m wherei n i t occurs !

12 . Ni hi li
tic Phen ome n a lism tries to get rid of Ag
s n os ti ci s m
Re a lity a ltogether but a s we h a ve seen a lre a dy
, , ,

thi s a tte mpt i s verb a l ( Ch a p I Ag n o stic . .

Phen ome n a li sm pl a ce s such Re a lity a s it a dmi ts

wi thi n the phen ome n a occurri ng i n
“
Mi n ds A .
”

more imp orta n t fo rm of Ag n osticism ( which rejects

p sychol ogic a l ide a li sm ) trie s to loc a te Re a lity a t
the B a c k o f Beyon t i n a s eque stered retrea t ,

the home o f the Thi n g i n it self or No ume n o n whi ch

- -
,

1
Cf Indi vi dua l
. a nd Rea li ty, pp . 103- 6 , Am I s hu t up wi thi n

my Cent r e
‘
i
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

experie n ce c a n n ever re a ch Thi s a ttitude i s a .

re a cti on a g a i n s t the R o m a n ce o f the I n fi ni te a s

pe nn ed by a dve n turo us t hi nk er s such a s Hegel a n d
S chelli n g It h a s a pra ctic a l va lue i n m a ki ng
.

thi nkers c a uti o u s But a s a po sitive meta physic s .

, ,

it fa il s Wi th the a sserti ng tha t Ulti ma te Rea li ty i s

.

u n kn owa ble, ther e goes a n i n ev i ta ble ad mi ssi on tha t i t

is a lso known ! Th e
erti o n for i n st a n ce of the a ss , ,

Un kn owa ble Groun d by He rbert S pe n cer implie s ,

a t the o utset th a t thi s Gr o u n d i s k n o wn t o be

, Of .

c ourse merely to be a s Hegel s a y s is t o be mi s er a bly

, , ,
“
a bstr a ct a n d empty
”
But the Un kn o wa ble slo wly .
,

but surely l o om s more s ub sta n ti a lly i n to view In

, .

a n e a rly st a ge of i t s c a reer it bec o me s the i n fi ni te

e n ergy whe n ce a ll phe n o me n a pro ceed a n d the ,

s ta n di ng Of S p a ce Time C a u sa ti o n etc with re spe ct

, , ,
.
,

t o it so o n a rre st s th o ught 1
In a much l a ter sta ge it .

h a s become a ccor di n g t o S pe n cer n ot impr o b a bly a ki n

, ,

to wha t we kn owa s c o n sci o u s experie n ce—a likeliho o d

which pro mi s e s t o tr a n sform a g n ostic meta physic s
i n to Ide a li sm Thi s philo sophy o f ig n ora n ce c on t a i n s
.

the seeds o f its o wn de structi o n It s a uth or ope n s .

“
h i s i n quiry with a n i n defi nite c o n sci o usn e ss o f the
Un kn o wa ble But eve n a n i n defin ite a wa re n e ss
.

must s uffice to give some i n sight i n to the cha ra cter

1
To Sho w h ow S p en cer s ’
Agn osti cism b lie es i ts na me, con

r th t ry f th U k w bl i th light f Mill
si de e s o o e n no a e n e o
’
s

ana ly i f th I mp rt f Pr p i ti
s s o e Mi ll h ld th t (
o o o os on s . o s a n on

verb l) pr p iti
a o rt d y ( 1) E i t
os o ns (2 ) C i t
a sse or en x s e n ce , o ex s

( )
e n ce , 3 C t i ( 4 ) S q
a us a d ( 5
on ,) R m b l Y e u en ce , a n e se a n ce . ou

will t th t th U k w bl
no e a i t h
e m d n i ti g
no a e e x s s, as o es co ex s n

or i h ri g m d
co n e n i lly r l t d
o es d m d
s ucce ss v e , ca u sa e a e an o es

r mbli g Th g ti pi i t di w y S p r writ
,

es e n . e a n os c s r es a a as e n ce es ,

an d hi y t m
s s i di
s e t d i Fi Pasi i p l i n m h i
ca e ll y n rs t r nc es , s a ec a n ca

rti l t d M i m phy i l f r r ti g
,

a cu a e on s g g ; i s ca o ces , e . .
, ene a n co ns c ou s
 THE WOR LD AS IM AGINATION
Thi s Psychic a l Rea lity whi ch i s reve a led i n phe n o
,

me n a c oequ a lly re a l with it self i s the true o ce a n o f ,

the I n fi n ite We a r e t o p o sse ss s hortly a more

.

a de q u a te i n sight i n t o i t s ch a r a cter .

4 . PL U R ALIS TIO R E AL IS M
13 . Th eppe a l t o experie n ce which de stroys
a

the a g n o stic hyp othe se s de stro ys a l so hyp o the si s , ,

o f a very differe n t type th a t o f the n e w plur a li stic

,

Re a li sm . Thi s Re a li s m reject s utterly the s ub

j e c t i v i s m which w o ul d s hut up phe n o me n a withi n

the ce n tres o f c o n sci o usn e ss experie n ci n g them It .

i s a ki n d o f r a di c a l empirici sm whi ch de sire s t o

spe a k o f i ts exi ste n t s a n d e n titie s a s they
a re,
i n depe n de n tly o f u s i n them selve s Thi s is , .

why Bertra n d Ru ssell urge s th a t p hi l osop hi c a l a rgu

me n t o ught to be c on cern ed n ot t o s upp ort c o n ,

s t r u ct i o n s but t o m a ke t he re a der perceive a s

,
”
the phi los opher perceive s Our bu si n e ss i s with .

re a litie s which the rel a ti on o f cog ni ti o n d oe s n ot

cre a te or a lter Plur a li stic Re a li sm foll o wi n g up
.
,

t hi s clue c on te n ds tha t the Un iver s e co n si st s o f a n

,

i n fini te n umber o f i n depen de n t e n titie s with rel a

ti o n s which a re ultim a te a s well n o t a djective s ,

o f their terms o r o f the wh ole which the s e c o mp o s e

”
.

Uni ver sa l s o n ce a g a i n i n high hon our figure a m on g

, ,

the s e i n depe n de n t ultim a te re a litie s .

In an whe n the be st mi n ds a r e s till a t wa r

a ge

o ver the very fu n d a me n ta l s o f philo so phy thi s ,

Plura li sm i s the a n tithe si s o f ide a li stic Ab soluti sm

for w hi ch di ff ere n ce s m e lt h a rm on i o u sly i n t o a
s piritu a l u n ity It h a s n ot yet ta ke n sh a pe a s a
.

c omplete d system a n d will it seems likely fin d diffi

, , ,
 P L URALIS TIC REALISM 67

culty i n doi n g so We a re n o t dwelli n g o n it for

.

three re a son s bec a u se it i s n o t yet i n sys tem a tic

form ( 2 ) bec a u se it rega rds crea ti on s of a na lysi s too
,

rea di ly a s i ndep enden t re a litie s ( 3 ) bec a use the be s t ,

reply we c a n m a ke t o a n y p ossible form o f plur a li sm ,

whether i n the directi o n o f rea li sm or ide a li sm lies ,

i n wh a t i s to c o me No te th a t we sha re fully the

.

di slike o f the se plur a li sts for s ubjectivi sm but ,

”

o u r rev o lt i s to t a ke a very d i ffere n t f o rm — th a t of

a n ide a li stic re a li sm i n which the m a n y Obt a i n a

free swi n g but do n o t lie utterly a p a rt a s the sta n d

, ,

po i n t ju st i n dic a ted a ssert s .

14 . plura li stic Re a li sm bre a ks up the

Thu s
Gro un d i n to i n fi ni tely n umero u s i n depe n de n t ,

Th e
”
e n titie s . rel a ti on o f c og ni ti o n do e s n ot
cre a te o r a lter but ra ther a cqua i n t s u s with the se
, ,
.

We a l so a r e t o t a ke n ote o f i n definitely m a n y
, ,

rea lities which we do n ot o wn o r m a ke But fir st .

, ,

we a re to c onf ron t the m a ster experie n ce which i s -

deci sive fo r Ide a li sm i n met a physic s a n Ide a li sm ,

ho wever which mu st fin d roo m for a ll the di ffer

,

s n e e s which Plur a li sm a cce n t s a n Ide a li s m which

sh a ll be free fr o m a n y t a i n t o f s u bjectivi sm
”
m ore ,

free i n fa ct th a n i s thi s n e w Plura li sm o n e o f wh ose

, , ,

exp on e n t s de nie s th a t Na ture a p a rt fro m o ur per ,

c ept i o n s i s c o l o ured a t a ll !
,
Ha vi n g i n di c a ted the
b a sic c a se for Ide a li sm we sha ll c o n side r a few
,

repre se n ta tive hyp othese s a s tersely a s exige n ci e s,

a ll o w a n d p a ss o n t o pre se n t o ur o wn hyp o the s i s

, ,

the c a se for which i s sta ted i n a spirit o f experime n t

which i n vite s or ra ther dem a n ds a pplic a ti o n o f
, ,

the m ost exa cti ng te sts .

The Universe we sh a ll ,
fin d , do e s n ot co nsist o f
68 THE W OR L D AS IM AGIN ATION
i n fini tely n umero u s i n depe n de n t re a litie s But it .

comprise s fe a ture s t o be di scu ssed fully i n their

,

pla ce which le n d pla u sibi li ty t o the pl ur a list vi ew

,

tha t it doe s .

But n eo Rea li sm o f the logico m a them a tic a l type

- -

i s pl a u sibl e o n ly i n re spect of cert a i n a spect s o f

re a lity Th e n ew Re a li s m with i t s
. Two S ub
s t a n ce s view a n d i t s de n i a l o f co n ti n uity betwee n
mi n d a n d i t s o bject s h a s i n deed a di ffic ul t ta sk
when it c omes to the phe nomen a of life ! org a ni c
, , ,

life !
.
1
L et u s a dd th a t it brea ks do wn i n truth ,

eve n i n the reg a rd of i n o rg a n ic Na ture si n ce ,

we s h a ll fin d th a t Na t ure pro ce sse s a re p syc h ic a l i n

-

ch a ra ct e r a n d th a t c o n ti n uity a n d di screte n e ss
“
( rel a tive i n dep e n de n ce c o n cur 1n the s a me
field .

1
Lord Halda n e On P rogress i n P hi losophi ca l Resea rch
, .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
p yc hi c a l exi sten t which thi s c o mplex ma y be
n on - s

mea n
”
u sed to Thi s i s why Ide a li sm is the
.

a ttitude w hi ch a r a di c a l Empirici st o ught to f a vour .

Experie n ce if it does n ot c o n firm c o mpletely t hi s

,

hyp othe si s c a n c o n firm n o other i n a n y degree a t a ll

, .

Ide a li sm , however mu st clo se with Re a li sm if it

, ,

i s t o embr a ce the whole a re a o f empiric a l f a ct It .

“
mus t re n ou n ce a ccordi n gly s ubjectivi sm
, There,
.
”

a r e form s of p sych o lo gic a l a n d s ubjective Ide a li sm

whi ch a r e grote s que simply i n a dequ a te to the c on

,

Ideali s m mu st crete experie n ce s o f life But Ide a li sm i n its re a l .

be r ea l i st i c
i st i c fo rm — o r s h a ll we s a y Re a li sm i n i t s ide a listic
.

form Q— c a n a lwa ys fin d r oo m for fa ct a n d th a t i n ,

a wa y n o t o ffe n sive eve n t o the pl a i n ma n It do e s .

n o t imply for i n s t a n ce with Mill th a t the M a tter

, , ,

h orn i s s wept o u t Of bei n g whe n yo u I a n d o ther , ,

fini t es ce a s e t o be a w a re o f it h a vi n g o nl y a fit ful
a n d prec a riou s c a reer o r c a reer s as a perm a n e n t
po ssibility o f s en sa tio n i n deta ched mi n ds or
s ubje ct s It rec og n i ses a n i n depe n de n t Na ture
.
”
,

i n whi ch the M a tterh o r n i s a p oi n t a s s erti n g how ,

ever tha t this Na ture i s of s tu ff s uch a s ide a s a re

,

m a de of Na ture i n Hegeli a n l a n gu a ge a ppe a rs

.
, ,

n o t o nl y fo r u s but i n itself An d it mu st be a n
, .

a ppe a r a n ce i n defi n itely m o re rich a n d c o mpl e x th a n

a n y im a gi n a l device o f o ur s h o wever p a tie n tly c o n ,

s tructed ,c a n mirro r with s u fli c i e n t truth Na ture .

i s n ot le s s but m ore th a n we a wa re it to be
, ,

My se tie n t experie n ce si nks a sha ft i n to Ultim a te

n

Rea lity I a m s ure a cc or di n gly tha t Rea lity i n

.
, , ,

so fa r a s it c o ns i s t s o f s e n tie n t e xp eri e n t s i n clude s ,

i n i t s we a lth p sychic a l f a ct As a n ide a li s t I g o .

further a n d suppose th a t Re a lity a t l a rge is psyc hi c a l

 I D EALISM
thro ugh a n d through There i s n o c a ll a s we sa w
.
, ,

for belief i n a n y n o n p sychic a l exi s te n t wh a tever

-
.

Experie n ce c a n verify o nl y i n term s o f it self Ne ver .

t h eless very m a n y pers o n s fin d a di fli c ul t y i n a ll o w

,

i n g th a t a ll exi sten t s a r e p sychi c a l Eve n if they Wh y . me fin d

so

beli e ve i n a D ivi n e Experien ce a s well a s i n o rdi ,

n a r i ly rec og n i s e d fin ite e x er i e n t s they he sita te t o

p ,

a dmit th a t thi s bl o ck o f P sychic a l Re a lity quite

exha u sts the Uni vers e The ir o b sta cle lie s i n.

Na tur e which seem s to them una ssimila ble o n

,

p sychic a l li n e s They i n cli n e t o c on tra st thi s

”
.

brute Na ture i n it s fra me o f S p a c e a n d Time

, ,

with a n y ki n d o f p syc hi c a l exi ste n ce a ctu a l or

p ossible They fin d it witha l a s urd very a wkwa rd
.
, ,

t o a cc o mm o da te O f wha t does it c on si st a n d h ow
.
,

did it c o me to exi st o ver a g a i n st th a t which is

p sychic a l a n d which c a nn o t t o a ll se emi n g a cc ou n t
, ,

for it ? Is n ot some fo rm o f du a li s m imp osed ?

We h a ve de a lt with thi s emb a rra ssme n t before but , ,

for the sa ke o f emph a si s sh a ll retur n to the topic,

a ga i n a nd a ga i n .

No w why i s Na ture reg a rded a s a n o b sta cle Th y f

,
-

e co n u s e

f
o thi s typ e 2 Th e a n swer i s tha t i n t hi s emb a rr a ss ,

me n t the e n gi n eer i s hoi sted by hi s o wn peta rd $ 232

,
.

Th e se folk a r e the victim s o f their o wn cre a ti on i t lly s ac u a

p e d er c i ve
Of a sec o n da ry con ceptua l N a ture which i s u nl ike
'

wha t they c a ll a p sychic a l re a lity bec a u se they h a ve ,

m a de it so Actua l exp er i enced N a ture le n ds itself

.

a t o n ce to i n clu si o n i n a Uni verse of p sychic a l

rea li ty .

When you sa y tha t Na ture a s you p ercei ve i t is , ,

mo de s of Ma tte r or En ergy etc

“ “
in S pa ce ,
”
.
,

a nd Time u n t recor di g experie n ce

y o a r,e o n
72 THE WORLD AS IM A IN ATION G
( Ch a p .II . a s u n critic a l u s er s o f c o n cept s n a i vely
a ssume .You a re a wa ri ng g a un t men ta l sub stitute
f a cts or thought i n strume n t s u seful o f c o ur se but
-
, ,

mi sera ble m a ke shifts for the origi n a l experien ce s for

which they sta n d Ma tter En ergy a n d even
.
,
”

,
”

the con cepts S p a ce a n d Time a r e sec o n da ry with the

ri se o f the se im a gi n a l sh a dows you h a ve left prim a ry
Na ture behi n d You a r e de a li n g with Na ture a s
.

y o u co n cei v e i t A n d a w hi
. ttled d o w n c o n ceptu a l -

c o smo s i s i n deed t oo brute

, mecha nic a l a n d
, , ,

s terile t o be i n cluded i n a Psychic a l Univer s e But .

t hi s is yo ur o wn d oi n g Y ou h a ve stripped Na ture .

o f n e a rly a ll its s e n sible we a lth a n d n ow o u grumble

y ,

a t the pitif ul re s ult You c a nn o t u n ders t a n d h o w

.

this world o f b a re re si sti n g exte ns i on s or e n ergie s -

c a n dr o p i n t o pl a ce i n a P s yc hi c a l Whole I s h o uld .

be i n like c a se But N a ture a s I lo ok a t it presen ts

.
, ,

n o s uch di ffic ul ty .

Th e cure for your compla i n t i s simple e n ough .

Yo u mus t get b a ck to the Na ture o f the poet a n d

u n sop hi stic a ted ma n — to the view fro m the Ma tter
h or n to s e n sible re a lity i n its f ull complexity o f
,

deta il ( Cha p II An d thi s Na ture the Na ture

. .
,

which is a ctu a lly p ercei ved f a lls e a sily i n to a p sychic a l ,

scheme .

Co n sider ! There i s n othi ng p r esen t to p ercep ti on

whi ch could not be du p li ca ted exa ctly i n a merely
drea mi n g exp er i en ce ere dre a mi n g were it . M ,

s u fficie n tly vi vi d c ould hold a Na ture ide n tic a l

, ,

o m the Ma tter
f y
o r o u with
,
wh at
yo u perceive fr
hor n Do you urge tha t the Ma tterhorn p a n ora m a
.

“
a n d th a t p sychic a l f a ct su Ch as a
”
is i n s p a ce , ,

dre a m i s not i n sp a ce or sp a ti l a
,
a t a ll i
t There i s a
 WORLD
~

74 THE As i MAGIN ATION

b a rrier betwee n the two Yo u a n d a ll per so n s

“ ”
a gree i n l a belli n g my dre a m a p sychic a l fa ct .

Go o d The n h ow will yo u l a bel th a t fr o m which

.

Wh at i s mea n t it i s i n di s ti n gui sh a ble ? Ah ! you ma y reply ,

the n orm a lly perceived Ma tterh or n is a glimp se

o f wh a t exi s t s a ls o a n d i n a m o re c o mplete wa y
, ,

i n i tself whether you a r e a wa re o f it or n ot

, Th a t .

i s true But s upp os e th a t thi s exi ste n ce i n it self

.

i s ju s t pre se n ce t o a Gi a n t Co smic Re a lity which i s

—
psychic l thr o ugh a n d thr o ugh suppo s e th a t a
a

Co smic Im a gi n a ti o n c on ta i n s the Ma tterho rn which ,

i n percepti o n I b a rely glimp se , Yo u will a t o n ce .

u n der sta n d why the perceived a n d the dr e a m

Ma tterhorn a re so extra ordi n a rily a like The per .

c e i v e d Mo u n t a i n it i s cle a r refer s me to a n o rigi n a l

, ,

o f a th o r o ug hl y p sychic a l ch a r a cter Need I be .

s urpri s ed th a t thi s percepti o n c a n be c o pied by yet

a n o ther p s ychic a l exi ste n t to wit a dre a m ? ,

S urely
n ot. Re a lity whether with me o r beyo n d me is
, ,

s ee n t o be a ll o f o n e ti ssue .

Thu s Ide a li stic Re a li sm re stores to u s se n sible

Na ture i n a ll i t s glory An d it does n ot perpetra te.

the a sserti on th a t Na ture bel on g s to o u r Mi n ds .

”

S a y r a th e r th a t Na tur e s h o w s it s elf fra gme n t a rily

, ,

a n d i n diffe re n t w a y s to di ffere n t ce n tre s o r ci r cles

, ,

of con sci ous li e

f a n d implies i n evit
, a bly a l a rger

c o s mic Na ture beyo n d the se Hegel o b serve s th a t .

the thi n g s tha t we k n o w a b o ut a r e mere phe n o

me n a n ot for u s but i n their o wn n a ture a n d witho ut
, ,

o ur i n terfere n ce ; a n d the s e thi n g s fi n ite a s they ,

a re ,a r e a ppr o pri a tely de s cribed whe n we s a y th a t

their bei n g i s e st a bli shed n ot o n them selve s but o n ,

”
the di vi n e a n d u niver sa l I D EA 1
We s h a ll c on .

1
Logic oH
f egel, W ll
a
’
a ce s t r a ns , p . 79 .
 LEIB N ITZ

c ei v ethe I D EA o therwi se tha n did Hegel But .

the o bj e ctive ch a ra cter o f h i s ide a li sm le a ps t o t h e

eye a n d we sh a ll i n cli n e he n ceforth to put our tru st
,

i n a soluti on o f thi s type .

5 . L EIBN ITZ A N D THE HY P OTHE S IS OF THE M NA D O S

2 hyp othe si s supp oses a D ivi n

. Thi s on a e M d ,

a l o n g with s ub ordi n a te m o n a d s o f a ll gr a de s as ,

ultim a te re a litie s It i s a type of expl a n a ti on o f

.

the Univer s e o n ide a li stic li n es The defect s a r e .

tha t ( 1 ) there i s n o empiric a l supp ort for the belief

i n m o na ds a n d ( 2 ) the ide a li sm re sul ti n g i s t oo su b
,

j e c t i v e : it f a il s t o re n d e r i n telligible the a ctu a l

c on ten t s which o ur wo rka da y e xperie n ce pre sen t s .

c on cept o f the mo n a d i s th a t of the old i m

Th e
pe n etra ble a to m excludi n g fro m i ts sphere o f
,

exi sten ce a ll o ther a t o ms s piritu a li sed Th e D efi it i

, . n on of
th m u e d“
mo n a d i s defin a ble a s a self c o n t a i n ed cen tre o f -

co nsci ou s experie n ce ( a ctu a l o r p ossible ) Ea ch .

c on ta i n s the i n fini te whole o f exi sten ce tho ugh n ot , ,

s a ve i n the c a s e o f the s upreme m o n a d c o n s ci o u sly , .

It i s without wi n do ws : n o thi n g c omes i n to it o r

g oe s o u t o f it L eib ni tz h a d a rgu e d a g a i n st S pi n o z a
.

tha t S ub st a n ce i s n o t a n i n ert u niver sa l but ,

s elf a cti v e a n d th a t i n pl a ce o f On e
-
, ,
S ubsta n ce ,
”

we mu st rec og ni se Ma n y a n i n fi ni te plur a lity

— .

Hi s revolt fro m the i n e rt On e a wa ke n s wid e

symp a thy to da
y the M -
a n y i s a fa r m o re v a lu a bl e

pri n ciple tha n the On e 1

) a n d fi n ds s upport eve n
1
F C . . S S chiller
.
, Riddles f
o the S p hi n x, p 3 4 0, wh o co n si de s r
r ly p r iti r
.

Monism me e a as c,
”
as i t liv es on th e i n t e a cti on s of

th e pl r l i t t whi h i t i
u a ex s en s c s su pp osed t o i n clu de .
 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION
in those plur a lisms which a re no lo nger ide a listi c
a t a ll .

O ur gre a t debt to L eib ni tz i s i n curred by his

i n terpret a ti on o f the Un iver se a s the field o f
i n defin itely n umerou s p sychi ca l exi sten ts o r lives .

It i s thi s view which re a ppe a r s i n la ter a me n ded

m on a dolo gie s s uch a s a r e c onn ected with the
n a me s o f Herb a rt a n d L o tze a n d with the very ,

i n tere sti n g world hyp othe se s which a r e s ubmitted

i n F C S S chiller s Ri ddles of the S p hi nx
’
. . . The s e .

m o n a di stic pl ura li sm s empha si se vita l a spect s o f

re a lity a ltogether l o s t sight o f i n the c ult o f a
n umeric a lly c o n ceived On e the pro duct o f
a n a ssimil a ti o n o r ide n tifyi n g o f t hi n g s c a rried to

exce ss S uch vit a l a spects will i n tere st u s a n on

. .

Leib itz i s a l so so fa r a s I k no w the fir st thi nker

n , , ,

i n m o der n phil o so phy wh o m a de u se o f the co n cept

o f a p sychic a l a ctivity which n eed n ot be c o n s ci o us .

No s ub o rdi n a te m o n a d i s c o n s ciou s o f a ll i t s c o n te n t s ,

which a r e i nfi n ite Wh a t system s h a ve gro wn o ut

.

o f the fertile s ugge sti o n m a de here

Ho w i s the hyp othe si s the m on a ds i n their of ,

Leibnitzi a n gui se t o be te sted ? In thi s wa y If

,
.

I wa n t t o believe i n a system o f the s e wi n do w

le ss e n titie s I mu st a s a n a lleged self c o n t a i n ed
, ,
-

u n it begi n by e sta bli s hi n g the re a lity o f my o wn

,

m on a d If thi s m on a d sho ws someho w i n my

.

t h h yp t h i e xperie n ce
e o es s then I c a n pro ceed t o i nf er tha t there
,

” th m u d"
e
a re a l so
,
o ther m o n a d s a ctive bey o n d my e xp er i
,

e n ce But if thi s m on a d i s u n di sc overa ble I s h a ll

.
,

h a ve t o a ba n do n the hyp o the si s L eib n itz it i s .

,

true did his provi n g c on ceptua lly on the li n es

,
 THE W OR L D AS IM AGIN ATION
or le ss di screte p sychic a l exi ste n ts m on a dic or ,

o ther a r e t o figure i n met a physic s s omethi n g mu s t

, ,

be do n e t o cle a r up the mystery of the rel a tio n s i n

which they sta n d .

6 . CLIFF OR D AN D THE HY P OTHES IS or

MIN D S TU FF
3 . Thi s i s h a m ide a li sm ; it i n te n d s to sa y
a s

t ha t re a lity i s p sychic a l a n d implie s i n cide n t a ll y , ,

th a t it i s n ot Th e hyp o the si s i s t o the e ff ect tha t

.

there o bt a i n s a n eleme n ta ry di ffu sed m i n dst u ff

“
whi c h exi st s i n piece s subj ect t o l a ws a n a l og o u s
“
to tho se whi ch a re c a ll ed m a teri a l l a ws Thi s .
”

s tuff c a n be c o n ce n tr a ted a ggreg a ted o r i n tegr a ted, ,

i n to c omplexe s c ons tituti n g -the much di scu ssed

,

n o u me n a or thi n g s i n them s elve s tha t writer s

- -
, ,

like K a n t pla ce behi n d perceived o bject s I n te

,
.

gra ted i n t o org a n i sm s the stu ff o r stuffs S ho w a ddi

,

t ion a ll y i n c onn ecti o n with the cerebr a l m a chi n ery

, ,

a s c o n s ci o u s life .

Th e piece s of mi n dstu ff a n d their l a ws a re o ur

Old frie n ds the m a teri a l u n it s a n d l a ws o f the
m a teri a li st s ( Ch a p II ren a med a n d tho ught
. .

a s c a rryi n g s e n tie n cy i n bit s Th e sa me pro cedure .

ch a ra cteri se s b o th scho o l s o f phil osophy v i z , .

the a ssumpti o n o f v er y s i mp le ultim a te s a n d the

deriva ti on o f a ll el se fro m these by c omplic a ti n g
their rel a ti o n s Thi s c o mp li c a ti on i s c on ceived to
.

occur i n S p a ce which is given n on e c a n sa y

,
”
—
—
h o w or why a s the field o f o pera ti o n s 1
Yo u .

c a nn ot S pre a d o u t piece s of stu ff a n d i n tegra te or

1
How O ft en S pa ce i s t hus ta k en for g r a n ted
 C LIFFORD
di si n tegra te them u nl e ss there is a va ila ble a void ,

with room for m o vem e n t .

Thi s cheme of a void peopled here with di ffu se d

s ,

mi n dst u ff there with i t e gr t e d bit s o

n a f i t — c on ,
,

s ci o u s lif e h a pp e n i n g i n c o n n ecti o n with so me few

o f t h e i n tegr a ted bit s — i s a n excelle n t illu str a ti o n

,

o f wh a t we c a lled the F a ll a cy o f S implicity It i s Th Fall

. e
o acy
ju st the sort of s pecul a ti o n which o n e exp e cts fro m
a ma them a tici a n such a s wa s Clifford
,
The s e .

dry a b str a ct thi n ker s le a ve a ctu a l e xperie n ce t o o

much ig n o r e d Th e idol o f their tribe i s S implicity
. .

But a s Heg el p oi n ted o u t lo n g a go simplicity with

, ,

o u t c o mplexity i s a de a d thi n g In met a physic s .

,

i n dee d if yo u so w with S i mplicity you will get n o

, ,

ha rves t .

No c oul d verify the hyp othe si s by direct

one

experien ce n o o n e c o ul d a wa re i sol a ted a n d a loo f ,

fro m their i n tegra ti on s the ti n y bit s

, th a t
c o mbi n e i n to the c ol o urs n eur a lgi a s ta ste s i n dig n a
, , ,

ti on s a rti stic em oti on s scie n tific a n a ly se s etc

, , , .
,

which a re pre sen t t o him The se merely di screte .

bit s of mi n dstuff a r e the cre a ti o n o f c o n ceptua l

thought ; ficti on s i n t hi s c a se n either tru e n or
u seful An d a g a i n n o o n e worki n g o nl y with the se
.
, ,

fictiti o u s un i ts c o ul d deduce the c on sci o u s wh ole -

n e ss i n which the c o l o ur s n eur a lgi a s etc a ppe a r

, , .
, .

Con sci ou sn ess i s i tself the fa ct tha t exper ience i s n ot ,

a n a ssembla ge of di scr etes but a con ti n uum I An d

,

t h e re a li ty o f thi s c on ti n uum n eed s a t l e a st a s much

a tt e n ti o n fro m u s a s a n
y o f the c o n te n t s which a r e

kn o wn together ( con scire ) i n it The theo ry o f

-
.

i n tegra ti on h a s o verl ooked the m ost seri o us diffi

culty o f a ll .
 VV U L V L JU ! I D J JVL A U L L‘ Q L L U L‘

7 . S HOP N HAU R
C E E A N D T HE HY P OTHE S IS OF WILL
4 Ultima te Re a lity for S chope n h a uer i s Wi ll
. .

Th e U niver s e which he reg a rd s a s p sychic a l is

, ,

u n der stoo d by foll o wi n g up a clue fo un d i n o ur

experie n ce Thi s clue i s o bta i n ed by emph a si si n g
.

the wi lli n g a t the expe n se of the kn o wi n g a sp ects

, ,

Of c on s ci o u s life Hi s a ttitude wa s hera lded by

.

tha t of Fichte wh o i n the Voca ti on of M a n h a d

, ,

a ssig n ed to the pra ctic a l re a son c on cern ed with

a cti o n a prim a cy over th o ught th a t i s merely c o n

t e mpla t i v e urgi n g i n deed th a t th o ught i s

, , fo u n ded
,

El sewhere Fichte h a d
”
o n o ur s trivi n g e n ergie s .

m a i n ta i n ed tha t will i s i n a speci a l se n se the

e sse n ce o f re a so n th a t the wh ole system o f o u r
,

ide a s depe n ds upo n o ur imp ul se s a n d o ur will a n d ,

”

tha t thi nki n g i s purp osive the me a ni n g o f o u r ,

th oughts depe n di n g o n o ur purp o se i n fra mi n g them

— m o dern pra gm a ti sm it s elf i n the germ ! On e
n o te s like s tra y s t a teme n t s from the p e n o f S chelli n g .

Add to the s e sugge sti on s the n eed of so me su bst i

tute for the dete sted system of Hegel a n d you h a ve ,

the m a i n pro mpti ng s which m o ved S cho pe n h a uer

t o s upp o se th a t the Gro u n d o f phe n ome n a i s Will

’
Pre sumi n g the re a der s a cqua i n t a n ce with
S chopen h a uer s system I c on fin e myself to the
’
,

mi n imum of releva n t critici sm .

In fra mi n g t hi s co n cept of the WILL yo u h a ve to ,

s hut y o ur eye s to the k n o wi n g o r c o g n itive side o f

c on s ci o us life In the fir st pla ce c on sci o u sn e ss i s

.
,

dro pped In the sec o n d pl a ce the ide a l c on te n t

.
, ,

which guides a ll empiric a l willi n g i s dro pped There , .

 82 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION
a re worthy o f a bei n g who exp ects to endu re But if .

I a m to peri sh I s h a ll be wi se to sp a re e ff ort to
, ,

tre a d e a sy a n d ro se s trewn p a th s It were fo lly to

-
.

be a m a ster builder whe n the fa n e co n templ a ted

-

must be overthr o wn There is merrime n t t o o

.
, ,

below the height s o f e n de a vo ur Am a ryll is i s g oo d .

c o mp a n y a n d n eed n o t be tro ubled to ro ck a cra dle

, .

I a m remi n ded with a l by Comti sts th a t I ha ve

, ,

E t o wit M a n ki n d
’ —
dutie s t ow rd the a G r a nd tr e , .

Am I t o bow the k n ee to thi s sh a mbli n g m ort a l

d I rec a ll th a t the Gra nd E t r e mu s t s urely die
g o
— die sh a meful ly whe n the l a st hum a n bei n g plun ges
i n to etern a l n ight An d I a m i n do ubt a s t o h o w
.

fa r I ought to e n c o ur a ge hi s futile a n d pur p o sele ss

life Hi s m a rch i s o ver milli on s o f victim s ; a n d
.

a n n i hi l a ti o n I le a r n i s the g o a l a he a d
, , There a r e .

th ose wh o wa x e n thu si a stic o ver thi s cra zy m a rch .

Ret a i ni ng so me se n se of hum o ur I l a ugh outright , .

Th e Gra nd Etr e a ct s a s if the higher pr ogre ss

m a ttered where a s i n sooth it profit s hi m little if
, , , ,

a t a ll . A G o spel of D ec a de n ce were timely To .

the Abys s Ple a sa n t trifli n g a n d Euth a n a si a

these a re ide a ls meet for a peri shi n g go d Gra nd .

Etre Ab a n do n the stre n uous life ; v ex your self

n o l o n ger with ex a cti n g ide a ls Ta ke your fil l o f .

e n j oyme n t wh a tever it be while yo u ma y

, , High .

lo w lo fty a n d ba s e ‘
a nd
‘
,
g o o d a n d ba d
’
,
’

so u n d s like the se will n ot bre a k the sile n ce

i n to whic h yo u mu st p a ss Whethe r you a re a sa d .

S ocra tes or pig h a ppy twill a ll c ome to the sa me

,
’

thi n g i n the en d Why th en a sk sa crifices of me

.
, , ,

a pilgrim wh o h a s so ve ry little to give ? My

respect for you i s sa pped by k n o wledge : I h a ve
c ome t o re a li se th a t yo ur very exi ste n ce i s a b surd .

All i s v a i n a ll futile a ll ridic ul o u s

, ,
o ver the rui n s
 S CHOPENHAUER

of effort must stea l the s ha do ws of Cimmeri a n

1 ”
night .

We o we it to S chopen ha uer th a t the evil of the S h pe h u

a ctu a lly experi e n ced world h a s c ome to figure so h i l
h f d
c
as
o n
or c e
a er

p ph y t oso o

pro mi n en tly a m on g the pr o blem s of philoso phy fififgf i”

,
.
c e ”

Un iver sity lecturer s a re a pt t o live i n the cl o uds ,

telli n g u s o f va i n u n v eri fia ble secret s a b o ut the B a ck

“
o f Beyo n t Po ets a r e pron e t o thi nk a ll s well ’
.

”
bec a u se G o d s i n hi s Hea ve n’
when i n truth ,

thi n g s a r e n ot well a n d Go d a n d hi s Hea ve n a s the ,

p o et u n dersta n ds them a re dre a m s Th e vi sibl e ,

.

d om a i n o f re a lity i s i n p a rt Hell a world s qu a lid

, ,

a t be st r a di c a lly imperf e ct a n d n o i so me with mi sery

, ,

a n d f a ilure S chop en ha u er ha s forced p hi losop hy to

.

fa ce th e r idd le n o t t o pl a,
y with it a n y l o n ger on

Leibnitzi a n Hegeli a n a n d other a c a demic li n es

, , .

h
But i s n s wer t o Ka t s query s di sma l Ho pe
a n i — ’

there i s n o n e Th e bli n d Will ha s cre a ted a ba d

.

world a n d se n tie n ts a re b orn o nl y t o suffer a n d

,

peri sh Our ta sk if we a re t o be meli ori sts or be

.
,

li ev er s i n betterme n t i s t o c onf r on t the sa me riddl e

,

a n d n o t to c o n sider tha t we a r e s eri o u s with met a

physic s u n til we h a ve f o u n d a n a de qua te a n swer .

To retur n t o t h e S chopen ha uer s li n es

—
Will z On ’

t h e world h a s got t o be a fa ilur e Yo u c a n n o t su p

’

p ose th a t a n un c o n sci ous bli n d Will m a ni fe sts i n a

tim e order imm a n en tly purp osive La p lu s j oli e Exp
-
. er i en ce
.

fi le du monde n e p eu t don n er gu e cc gu elle a But

l ’
.

i s h i s da rk Po wer pro perly l a b elled Will ? It f t h ° e Win ‘

c a nn ot resemble the empiric a l willi n g whi ch i s a ll

we kn o w There a r e n o delibera te voliti o n s or
.
,

even mere i n sti n ctua l a n d impul sive a ct s a tten ded ,

1
Indi vi dua l a nd Rea li ty, pp . 3 17—19 .
 THE WORLD AS IM AG INATION
with co n sci o u sn e ss which a r e b a re o f g ui di ng per
,

c ep t i o n s a n d ide a s Eve n a c hi ck do es n ot give

.

i t s fir s t peck with o ut se ns a ti o n t o evoke a n d guide

the s tro ke .

There i s experie n ce to verify the hypothesis

no

tha t Ultim a te Re a lity i s Will if by Wi ll i s me a n t ,

a n yt hi n g lik e my a ctivity whe n I a m writi n g thi s

p a ra gra ph or drivi n g a m o tor ca r Al l such stri v -

.

“
i ng e n ergi e s a r e s a tur a ted with ide a s a n d f a ili ng ,

the se wo ul d n ot exi st But if the Will a Gro u n d

, .
,

c on ceived i n so me u n i n telligible wa y a s a bove time

, , ,

i s quite u nli ke the empiric a l willi n g i n time which I

kn o w why i s it l a belled Will a t a ll
,
It s eems a
c on cept a lm o st ver ba l i n ch a ra cter a n d qui te useles s ,

t o met a phy sic s Wh a t were the drivi n g i n tere st s o f

.

S chopen ha uer i n i n ven ti ng it An un dersta n di ng

of the se will expl a i n much .

He wa n t ed a s ub stitute for th a t meta physic s

w hi ch e n t hr o ni n g Rea son the Logic a l Ide a a s
, , ,

so vereig n o f the wo rld

”
tried o n this b a si s to
, , ,

c o me to term s i ns i n cerely with Chri sti a n ity the ,

”
a b so lute religio n He wa n ted a l so t o u n der
.
, ,

mi n e the exce ssive re spect i n which h i s c o n tem

S ch op en h au e r p o r a ri e s held c on ceptu a l th o ught He f a vo ured
f r
.
,
a n d a te
a cc ordi n gly a Wo rld Gr o u n d fr o m whi ch Re a so n
.

-
, ,

wa s ousted a ltogether a n d he emph a sised thi s e x ,

pul si o n by na mi ng the re sidua l p sychic a l rea lity

Will Thi s Gro u n d m o reo ver h a d t o be den ied
.
, ,

c o n sci o u sn ess For th a t whi ch i s c o n sci ou s knows

.
,

a n d its k n owledge ma y be di scu ssed by perverse

p hi lo sopher s a s c o n ceptu a l tho ught with its logic a l
a rticul a ti o n a n d a ll ! Th e Gro un d therefo re is ,
”
best trea ted a s bli n d a n d u n c ons cious .
8 . H E G EL AN D THE HY P OTHE S IS OF THE L OG CAL I

I D EA OR R EA S ON
Hegeli a n s ystem ( a c qua i n t a n ce with
5 . Th e
which I pre sume ) i s the ex a lta tio n of Re a son
1
,

which i s a n a me for the o rg a ni sed uni ver se o f

tho ught sy stem a tic a cc or di n g to a n imm a n en t
,

logi c It i s Pa n l ogi sm te a chi n g th a t the re a l i s

.
,

the ra tio n a l a n d the ra ti o n a l i s the re a l 2

Thi s .
”

e xpo sitio n o f the Gr o un d a s Re a so n i s so metimes

di scu ssed a s the meta physic s of the Co n cept or
“

No ti on It i s in virtue o f a di a lectic revea led i n the

.

l a b o ur o f the Noti on th a t thought i s forced t o

progre ss towa rd th a t a b solute k n o wledge which
c o n stitute s truth Note h o w thi s a ttitude m a kes .

c on ceptu a l th o ught s elf su ffic ie n t There i s n o -

.

verific a ti on of r e sult s by c o nf ron ta ti on o f them

with re a lity beyond tho ught Tho ught i s self .

verifyi n g In phil o so phy t o p rove i s t o show h ow

.

the s ubject by a n d fro m it self m a ke s it self wh a t

it i s .Truth t o de serve the n a m e
”
mu st a u t h e n t i
, ,

c a te o r verify i t s o wn truth which verific a ti o n ,

withi n the sphere o f l o gic i s give n whe n the n oti o n ,

dem o n stra te s it self t o be wha t i s medi a ted by a n d

with it s elf a n d thu s a t the sa me time t o be truly
,

immedi a te ( Hegel ) Thi s a ttitude re a s sert s i n ci .

de n ta lly the old world Ari sto teli a n a n d Pl a ton ic vi e w

-

th a t the true n a ture of a thi n g i s kn o wn a n d sh o w n

1q it Ac t m t ry I
u a n a n ce , t pr f t b bl
no as e . ca n n o o ess o e a e

t f ll w i t hr
o o o
g h ll i t d i l
t M
ouh f i t a f t h s e ta s . uc , or n s a n ce , o e

D t ri
oc f E n es o d N ti i h L gi
ssen ce m t an o on n t e o c s ee s o

m h re s rb li m B t if my r y f th b i d f t f
ee ve a s . u su v e o e as c e ec s o

th y t m
e s i rrs et t hi rb li m
s cow i i t b
ecl , s ve a s as n ev a e.

Thi t2
hi g h w s r w r w h ll b f r th
eac n , o ev e , a v e s, a s e s a see , e o e e

f t f N t r d Hi t ry
ac s o a u e an s o .
 HEGEL 87

o nl y i n its n otio n If you a sk how this a ccou n t o f

.

truth a pplie s sa y t o a sta teme n t Th e Turks a re

, ,

defen di n g the D a rda n elle s ( which re quire s a ppe a l t o

re a lity beyon d the sphere of the c on cepts employed ) ,

you get thi s a n swer Th e sta temen t is merely cor .

rect O r a s Hegel puts it Th a t a per son i s sick or

.
, ,

th a t some o n e h a s c ommitted a theft ma y certa i nly ,

be c orrect But the c o n te n t i s u n true A sic k

. .

b ody i s n ot i n h a rm on y with the n o ti o n of b o dy ,

a n d there i s a wa n t of c o n gruity betwee n theft a n d

”
the n otio n of hum a n c on duct 1
Th e o n ly c on te n t .

2
which i s strictly true is o n e n ot medi a ted by some
thi n g el se n ot limited by o ther thi n g s or o therwi se
, ,

expre ssed it i s on e me di a ted by itself where me di a

, ,
”
ti on a n d immedi a te refere n ce to self c oi n cide 3
.

Thi s requireme n t implie s th a t o nly the cl osed wh o le

o f k n o wledge is a b solutely true God i e con .
, . .

s ciou s Re a son i s Truth God a n d the tot a lity o f

, .

the a ll embra ci n g Notio n or Absolute Ide a a re

-

sy n o n ymous .

In this cult of the Notio n we n ote the a ssump A fu d , n a

m t l en a
tio n th a t th ought is the higher the m ore it le a ve s a umpti , ss on .

s e n sible re a lity behi n d Ma them a tics dea l s with .

a b str a cti o n s o f sp a ce a n d time But eve n these .

“
a b str a cti on s i n which s e n se i s
”
, ide a lised a re fa r ,

t oo gro ss for Heg e l Tho ught ha s t o s oa r beyo n d

.

the l a st a b str a ctio n o f se n se it ren oun ce s the field ,

o f the exter n a l a n d i n ter n a l s e n se a n d tur n s i t s ,

1
W ll L gi f H g l D tri f th N ti p 2 63
a a ce s
’
o c o e e , oc ne o e o on , .

t t k b gi i g d t
.

“
2
T m di t i
o e a e m thi g s o a e so e n as a e nn n an o

go w rd t
on a d thi g
o a t h t th
s e c on i t f thi n ; so a e ex s en ce o s

s e con d thi g d p d n h i g r
e enh d i t fr m
s on our m thi g av n eac e o so e n

else c on tr di ti g i h d fr m i t
a s n u s e o
”

Ibid p 117
.

3
.
, . .
 THE WORLD AS IMA GINATION
b a c k upo n the i n tere sts a n d i n cli n a tio n s of the i n di
vidua l . It i s thi s super ra refied Thought devo id o f
-
,

the le a st t a i n t of sensible c on te n t which c on stitute s ,

the theme of the L ogic a n d the etern a l e ssen ce o f Go d .

r
B i th of th e Now wa tch the birth of the fa m o u s di a lectic a s ,

Hegel empl o ys it At the o ut set of the Logic the

D ia l ec ti c .

Noti on c onf ro n ts u s very a b stra ctly i n i ts

mome n t of Bei n g But a dyna mi c or pri n ciple
.
”

o f moveme n t i s wa n ted o therwi se the su p ers en s i ble

“
t ho ught o f u n derived i n determi n a te n e ss Bei n g ,
”
,
”

wo uld be a st a tic de a d pre se n ce i n c a p a ble o f

, ,

a lte r a ti o n Wha t dyn a mic is a va il a ble i n so r a re

.

a n a tmo s phere of th o ught ? On e a n d o n e o nl y ,

to wi t a c on ceptu a l o r n o tio n a l di a lectic ; a n i m

m a n en t di a lectic which i s the movement of the N oti on
i tself
. Well ; we a r e fa mili a r with thi s fa m o us
o —
m veme t e a ch n oti on i n a ffirmi n g it self n eg a tes
n , ,

it self by p a ssi n g i n t o its o pp osite a n d clo se s a g a i n

with thi s o pp o site a s a m o re a dequa te a n d truthful
a ffirm a tio n o f it s elf An d so o n
. Hegel di spl a ys.

a m a rvellou s i n ge n uity i n thi s experime n t He .

hit s upo n the o nl y p o ssible worki n g pri n ciple o f

m o vemen t a v a il a ble for wh a t I ma y c a ll n ud e

co n cep ts . Th e pri n ciple s eem s a t fir s t sight t o

, ,

s tir the dry bo n e s o f the Logic t o life An d it .

promi se s a l so t o reve a l the e n tire Logic a l o rder

, , ,

o f which it i s a n a spect a s self verifyi n g a n d s elf

,
-

suffic i e n t Thought i n philo sophy di ffer s fr o m

.

th o ught a s c on cer n ed with the empiric a l s cie n ce s i n

th a t it s c on te n t s a r e i nfi n ite a n d a r e brought before
—
us u n der the form of n ecessi ty for the di a lectic h a s
n o r o om for a lter n a tives ; it wo rk s thro ugh c o n
t r a di c t i on s a n d the o verc omi ng o f c on tra dictio n s
i n o n e a n d o nl y o n e wa y S m a ll won der tha t the
.
 THE WORLD AS IM AG IN ATION

co n te n t merely a Co mm a n d Co n cept ( Ch a p II 4 )
,
-
. .

whi ch summo n s i n to re a lity tha t whi ch it wa n t s

a n d feig n s th a t i t s order h a s bee n c a rried ou t ?

This feig ni n g serves a ll the purp ose s o f di s cu ssio n ;

but error ma y lie i n believi n g t oo s eri o u sly th a t
the re a litie s evoked exi st i n depen den tly of their
cre a tor L et u s n ot l ose sight of thi s p o ssible solu
.

ti on a s we pro ceed On the o ther h a n d let us n ot

.
,

forget th a t if there Obt a i n s pu re ra ti ona l thought

,

( i
. e .th o ught u n a ll o yed with s e n s e Hegeli a n i sm

a n d i t s di a lectic a re reve a led a s of e n ormous na y ;

o f cosmic import a n ce , .

6 . After
thi s i n dispe n sa ble prelude we sh a ll ,

s eize the very s o ul o f Hegeli a n i sm if we a sk further , ,

wh a t a r e the m a i n philos o phic a l i n flue n ce s c on tri

buto ry t o the system .

ON T HE H IS TORICAL IN FLU EN CES

MA IN C ON

TRIBU TORY T O H EGEL S S Y S TE M

’

( )
1 There i s the Greek tr a di ti on a lre a dy n oticed , ,

i n fa vo ur o f the view tha t the truth o f a thi n g i s

kn o wn a n d shown i n i t s n o ti on There i s a l so the .

tr a di ti o n of a p sychi c a l Ab solute o f a ll the p er fec

ti o n s t a ke n from Ari sto tle
, Thi s Ab solute i s a
.

con cep t s yn the si si n g a ll sub o r di n a te con cep ts the ,

Form o f Fo rm s the W no t e v orj a eai g

-
, Note ho w
i
.
,

o n the impul se give n o rigi n a lly by the pra ctice o f

S ocra te s a n d the specula ti on Of Pla to a peculi a r ,

s ort o f glory i s a ss ig n ed t o con cep tua l th o ught ,

Tr a di ti on a l i s m logi ca lly c c ordi n a ted Co n ceptua l th ought i s be

-

G
.

i mm rem
li e v ed to be the light o f s e n sible experie n ce which
’

, ,

a t be st i s o nl y a di st a n t a n d deb a sed reflecti o n o f

,

truth broke n i n to the multiplicity o f sp a ce a n d

,
 HEGEL
time . Ch a n ce a g a i n c ou n ts for Ari stotle it re
, ,
—
occurs a ppro pri a tely i n Hegel s works a s the con ’

ti n gen cy whi ch i nfect s the time order o f Na ture

—
a n d Hi s t o ry ; tha t o ther n e ss i n to which the
tim el e ss I D EA ( the se a t o f n ecessa ry logic a l c onn exi o n )
h a s f a lle n i n the a c t o f n eg a ti n g it s elf Thi s Con .

t i n gen c y pr ove s o f gre a t u se i n a cc oun ti n g for

t h e m a nn er i n whi ch thi n g s a n d eve n t s i n Na ture
a n d Hi st o ry fl o ut fixed l ogic a l cl a ssific a ti on s the ,

l ogic a l o rder of c a teg o ry a rtic ul a tio n a n d t o a

-
, ,

grea t exten t expecta ti on s o f i n tellig e n t imm a n en t

,

pur p ose Th e pre stige o f a ra ti o mer sa et confu sa

.

h a s t o be sa ved someh o w a n d here lie s a h o pe , .

Re a so n h a s hurled it self i n to Con ti n ge n cy

But I repe a t we mu st remember th a t whe n

, , ,

Hegel i s a rticul a ti n g c on cepts or m o me n t s o f the

Noti on he is n ever referri n g to the sn a pshot
,
”

c on cept s which yo u a n d I ta ke of the Bec o mi n g

, ,

but t o the i n dwelli n g soul s of re a lity t o the c on cept s ,

who se m o veme n t a n d expre ssi on a r e the Bec o mi n g

it self It i s a sup ersen s i ble a n d self develop i ng c o n
.
-

c ep t u a l th o ught which he m a ke s the L ogic a l i u

p r s

Of re a lity .

Th e Greek c ul t o f c on cepts cen tred a t a n y ra te ,

a t fir st r o u n d th o s e o f the
, st a g n a n t sort Un .

cha n gi ng c o n cepts were c on tra sted with ch a n gi n g

s e n sible phe n o me n a with thi n g s too u ns ta ble a n d
,

tra n si en t to serve a s o bjects o f scie n ce a n d were ,

e xa lted a cc o r di n gly A review wa s held o f the se G

.
i f en es s o

u n cha n gi n g exi st e n t s or s uper exi ste n t s ; the n e e d ffigffififu

-
s

a r o s e o f r e l a ti n g th e m a n d with thi s the c a ll for a

, ,

l ogic a l o rder Whe n l a ter the c o n c e pt o f co n

.
, ,

c e pt s , which comprise s the logic a lly o rdered collee

 THE W OR L D AS IM A INATION G
tio n wa s trea ted a s God there wa s bor n belief i n a n
, ,

Ab so lute o f a ll the perfecti o n s ch a n gele ss time , ,

le ss or a bove time Th e Gro u n d o f Hegel is simi

.

la rly perfect a n d fini shed a re a li ty a b o ve time ; ,

the a ll i n clu sive Co n cept o r Noti on the r a ti on a l or

-
,

l o gic a l Absolu te Idea True Hegel sa ys so mewhere .

,

th a t t h e uni verse i s b o th a cc o mpli shed a n d e ver

a cc o mpli s hi n g it self but the a cc o mpli shed a spect
,

o verl a p s the o ther which c o n cer n s o nl y N a ture a n d

,

fin ite se n tie n t s Th e I D EA i s the pre supp o siti on o f

.

t ime , a n d h old s i t s we a lth i n a f o rm i n whi ch time

s uccessio n is a t o n ce preserved a n d tr a n s ce n ded .

Thus , Hegel s m o me n t s of the N otio n ( though

’

they a r e sa id n ot t o be sta g n a n t c o n cepts but ,

a ctive p o wer s nay the so ul s of

,
a ll re a lity
,

belo n g t o a n Ab solute a bove time a n d we c a n se e

how the origi n a l moveme n t t o wa rds thi s Ab solute
bega n It wa s pr o mpted by the Greek ve n era ti o n
.

for c o n ceptu a l tho ught .

Th e st or y f
o ( )
2 To u n ders ta n d m ore fully the Hegeli a n c on
t h e ca t eg or16 8
c ep t ua li sm we mu st gla n ce a t the story of the
°

”
c a tegorie s a s they a ri se i n m o dern philoso phy
, .

’
Ka n t s c a teg orie s fo rm re a lly the sub st a n ce o f
Hegel .
”
1
It i s a n a m a zi n g t a le of i ni ti a l erro r ,

with a ttempted r ec ti fic a t i o n s which cre a te n e w

di fli c ul t i e s a n d l e a d fin a lly t o Lo gic a l Re a li sm .

Let me try t o pre sen t the essen ce of thi s very di th

c ul t a n d Ob scure regi o n o f phil oso phy We a r e t o .

s t a rt fr o m the situ a ti o n cre a ted by the s pecul a ti o n s

o f Hume .

of Ego
’
Hume s rejecti on the -
thi n g is welcome .

1
Dr Hutchi nson Sti rling , S ecret of Hegel, ii . 40 1
.
 94 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION
the impre ssi on flu x whi ch h a d tro ubled or ra ther
-
,

a mu s ed Hume ,
There i s s upp osed a further uni fy
.

i n g or thi n ki n g of impre ssio n s ( i s s en sible . .

da ta ) An d the o bjective i n thi s View i s defin a ble

.
, ,

a s th a t which we ha ve t o thi n k or w hi ch i s th o ught ,

fo r u s i n depe n de n tly o f o ur c a pri ce by the Tr a n s

, ,

c e n de n t a l Judgmen t A judgme n t o f s ubjective

.

worth va lid o n ly for thi s or th a t person i s a j udg

, ,

me n t Of percepti on But a judgmen t of experien ce

.
,

which i s give n u n iver sa lly a n d n ece ssa rily s ho ws ,

the work of pure Re a son There i s a deducti o n o r

.

vi n di c a ti on o f the se c a teg orie s They a re c o n di .

ti o n s o f experie n ce form s o f u ni ty imp osed o n phe n o

,

men a a s pre se n ted i n sp a ce a n d time Th e c a te .

g ory a lo n e c a n n ever pr o vide me with a c on cept of a n

o bject for o nl y by perceptio n i s the o bject give n
which i s afterwa rds thought ! it a lic s mi n e ! i n a cc ord
’
a n ce with the c a teg orie s But were n o t the
.

c a teg orie s a p r i or i a n d their a pplic a ti on va lid there ,

c o uld be n o experie n ce No c a teg orie s n o c o mm o n

.
,

wo rld o f percepti o n s uch a s we a ll mus t c onf r on t .

An d here it i s i n tere sti n g t o n ote how the Pl a t oni c

c o n tempt for the s en sible per si st s It wo uld n ever .

do t o pl a ce c a teg orie s a n d mor e s e n sible d a t a o n t o o

dem ocra tic a foo ti n g ! Th e c a teg o ry i s quite t oo
ex a lted to desce n d i n to the re lm a o f s n —
e se c a n
n ever it self be perceptible i n time a n d s p a ce S till .

it h a s t o get a t the se n sible da ta someho w .

Wh a t is t o serve a s the go betwee n -

Wh a t but the
pure fo rm o f time which a t o n ce i s a p r i or i a n d
embra ce s a ll phe n o me n a Th e c a teg o rie s a cc ord ,

i n gly a re s chem a ti sed o r b odi ed forth i n te n uo u s

,

tim e determi n a ti on s by the pro ductive im a gi n a

-

ti o n — th a t pre empiric a l im a gi n a ti o n which pr o ve s

-

s ub seque n tly so u seful to Fichte B o died fo rth .

 HEGEL
thu s the c a teg orie s c a n s ub sume a n d m a ke fully ,

o bjective i n a u n iver sa l a n d n ece ssa ry wa y the ,

”
s e n sible fa ct s .

Th e t ry o f t he c a teg o rie s merely o pe n s with Th

s o e ca t eg or i es

Ka n t An d if we co n sider the s equel we sh a ll

.
f t
,
a er “1 °

o b s erve t wo o pp o si n g te n de n cie s On the o n e .

h a n d t he li st o f c a teg orie s i s reduced so me writers

, ,

decli ni n g t o a do pt m ore th a n o n e There i s n otice .

a ble a very wide rejecti on of the c a tegorie s o f

Moda lity a n d Qua li ty a n d a stro n g di sp osi ,
’

ti o n t o dwell o n the Rel a ti o n gro up Ca u sa lity ,

bei n g sometime s fa vo ured a l on g with c omplete

n eglect o f the re st Th e o rigi n a l twelve c a teg o rie s
.

were extra cte d fro m pr op ositi on form s whi ch were -

ta ken u n critic a lly fro m the old lo gic ( Ka n t sa ys .

,

Hegel ,
di d n ot put him self t o much tro uble i n
di sc o veri n g the Ha d c a teg ori e s bee n
vi n dic a ted or deduced strictly o n the li n e s o f
No c a teg orie s n o o bjective experi en ce it wo uld
’
, ,

ha ve been h a rd to m a ke o u t even a re specta ble c a se

for the twelve On the o ther h a n d we fin d the
.
,
’
c a tegorie s rescued from K a n t s sh a llo w s ub
j e c t i v e ide a li sm — the epithet s Hegel s rega rded
i — ’

as the ra ti on a l soul s o f rea lity m a de more ,

’

n um e r ou s di a lectic a lly i n terc o n n ected

, a n d wo ve n ,

i n to a system of th o ught determi n a ti o n s which is -

held t o reve a l the Absolute Thi s wa y ho we ver .

, ,

li es Logic a l Re a li sm 1
.
”

The ystem
s of
K a n t bel ong s t o the litera ture o f
po wer n ot o f k n o wledge It i s wr on g o n a lm os t
, .

e ve ry p ositive i ssue which it decide s An d it fa il s .

egregi ously i n the a ttempt t o o verwhelm Hume with

1
Indi vidua l a nd Rea li ty, pp . 18 1-5 ( wi th a few a lte r a t io n s ) .
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
the c a teg orie s . S ubj i
o n ed a r e the m a i n co n sider a

ti o n s whi ch c ompel thi s judgme n t

A T here i s n o m a ni f o ld o f l o os e se n s a ti o n s
( ) “
or

impre ssi o ns which require t hi s uni fyi n g by s p a ce

’

“
a n d time fo rm s ( them selves fictiti o u s ) syn the se s ,

o f a pprehe ns i o n etc ,
a n d c a teg o rie s
.
, S en sa ti ons .

a r e a b s tra cti o n s cre a ted by a n a lysi s Th e prim a ry .

field o f experien ce i s a c on ti n uum i n which s en s ible

a sp ects merely s t a n d o u t ( W e s h a
. ll s e e a n o n h ow

thi s c o n ti n uum c ome s t o a ppe a r ) .

B
( ) T h e c a teg orie s bri n g n o thi n g t o percepti o n ,

a s S ch o pe n ha uer p o i n ts o u t To cite my o wn wor k

.

a ga i n . We h a ve see n th a t a cc or di n g t o Ka n t , ,

there o b ta i n judgme n t s o f percepti o n which a re

‘

n o t s ub sumed u n der the c a tegorie s ; a n d a r e , there

fo re n ot pro perly o bjective a t a ll Th e c a teg o rie s

,
.

a r e n o t a lwa ys a pplied And when they a re a p p li ed

.
,

their sig n ific a n ce a m o u n ts merely to thi s : they

import u ni ver sa lity a n d n ece s sity i n to the re a dy
m a de se n sible phe n o men a which percepti o n supplie s .

Give n t hi s s up eri mposed n ece ssity o bjective ex ,

i N w
”
1
p e r e n ce i s p o s s ible o. thi s d o es n o t a n s wer
Hume a t a ll Thu s Hume i n the In qu i r y
‘

di s cu ss es the imp a ct o f billi a rd b a ll s Is the .

m o vi n g of a b a ll whe n hi t by a n other a c a se o f
, ,

merely c o n j oi n ed o r n ece ss a rily c o nn ec ted phe n o

men a Hume sugge st s th a t o ur feeli n g o f n ece s sa ry
c o nn exi on a ri se s o nl y a fter frequen t experie n ce o f
like c on ju n cti on s Th e phe n o me n a them selve s ju s t
.

h a ppen on e a fter the o ther Ka n t denie s thi s

, . .

But hi s wretched c a teg o ry of Ca u sa lity a rrive s o n

the sce n e t oo l a te It c a nn ot imp ort i n to the
.

phe n ome n a a n ece ssity which i s n ot a lre a dy there .

Th e f un d a me n ta l di fficulty i s why t h e phe n o me n o n

1
Indi vi dua l a nd Rea li ty, p . 186 .
 THE W OR L D AS IM A INATION G
me n t s of di ffere n t sorts o n whi ch they sh o w virtue s ,

o rigi n a lly a b s e n t fr o m t h fm Th e m a nn er i n which i

.

the pure a n d super s en sible c a teg orie s h a ve t o

”
be s chem a ti sed befo re meeti n g the l o wly s e n sa
,

ti on s i s illumi n a tive All thi s el a b or a te experie n ce

,
.

th eory gro u n ds o n a mi st a ke Th e belief i n a .

give n m a n ifold o f di screte se n sa ti o n s ( o n which

ch a otic pl ura lity u n ity h a s t o be imp o sed ) i s the
i n iti a l step whi ch le a ds to the a byss .

It i s worth rema rk th a t Berkeley h a d a lre a dy

di sta n ced K a n t a s reg a rd s the a dopti o n of a pl a u s
,

ible ide a li sm u n sp o ilt by re sort t o the ficti o n o f

thi n g s i n them selve s whi le i n the S i r i s he a ctu ally
- -
,

fin ds the soul of thi n g s i n u n i versa l r eht ti on s of

Rea son which a r e i mma n en t eve n i n percepti on .

Thi s p o i n t s the wa y But Ka n t a l so h a d thro wn

.
, ,

o u t o cc a si o n a l s ugge s ti o n s te n di n g t o better the

hyp othe si s of the c a teg o rie s a n d eve n t o further ,

di s cu ssi on o f them i n the m a nn er s f a v o ured by

h i s succes sor s Thu s t o uchi n g the n umber a n d
.
,

i n terc o n n exi on s o f the c a teg o rie s he a llude s i n the ,

Cr i ti que t o o ther c a teg orie s n ot t a bul a ted t o a ,

gre a t n umber o f equa lly p u re deriva tive s which

c a nn ot be ig n ored by a c o mplete tra n sce n de n t a l
phil o sophy i e a phil o so phy c on c e r n ed with the
, . .

F
of
or egl ea
th e post
ms c o n diti ons o f experie n ce He n ote s the p a ssa ge o f .

Km a n ti a n t r e a t
e n t of t h e
the fir st a n d s ec on d c a teg orie s me n ti o n ed u n de r ,

c a t eg or i e s
.
e a ch o f the fo ur he a ds i n to the third ( e g Re a lity
1
,
. .

a nd
“
Neg a ti on p a ss i n to Limita ti o n
” “
An d
he m oot s the p ossibility o f a c omm o n ro o t for se n
si bi li t y a n d u n der s t a n di n g — a p e rceptive u n d er
sta n di n g pro vidi n g i t s o wn m a n ifold c a teri n g ,

both for the sp a ce a n d time phe n ome n a a n d the -

1
Qu ality Qu an tity Rela ti on
, , , a nd Modality .
 HEGEL
u ifyi g
n n —
c a teg ories a
s uggesti o n
,
which pr o
mi se s a n o ta ble a dva n c e He h a s ur ged too th a t
.
, ,

a p u r e u se of the ca tegor i es i s i ndeed p oss i ble o r , , ,

n o t c o n tra di ct o ry but h a s n o o bjective va lidity

,

bec a u s e it c o n c ern s n o percepti on o n which it

c on fer s the u ni ty o f a n o bject for the c a teg o ry i s ,

o nl y a pure fun cti o n o f thoug ht by whi ch n o ,

o bject c a n be give n me but by which o n ly wh a t i s

,

give n i n percepti o n i s tho ught Thi s p a ssa g e sug.

ge st s wha t t h e Hegeli a n a rtic ul a ti o n o f c a teg orie s

’
re a li se s i n l ogic Heg e l h o wever di spute s Ka n t s
.
, ,

View th a t c a teg o rie s t a ke n by them selve s a r e

e mpty h e h olds th a t they h a ve a c o n te n t i n
”
the speci a l sta mp a n d sig n ific a n ce they p o sse ss .

He mus t If they h a ve n o c o n ten t it i s imp ossible

.
,

t o u n de r st a n d h o w they c a n be di s cu ss e d i n their
purity at a ll On e mu st f o cu s a tte n ti on o n
.

so methi n g

An d no w te the m o ve fo rwa rd Fichte g e t s

no .

rid o f the ficti on o f thi n g s — i n them s elve s whi ch -

fe ed se n tie n ts with se n sa ti on s He n e xt pro ceed s .

“
t o m a ke u se o f Ka n t s u n ity o f a pperc e pti o n
’ ”
,

whi ch h e c o n vert s i n to the Ab solut e Ego a n d m a ke s

the b a si s o f a th oro ughg oi n g ide a li sm Th e c a te Th . e

g o r i e,
s which a r e a b a tch o f u nder i v ed judgi n g 353533 31,
c o n cepts i n Ka n t s Cr i ti qu e a r e n ow a ll derived
’
,
a

a n d i n terc o n n e cted They a r e b or n fro m the s elf

.

a ffirm a ti o n o f it s e lf by the Ab s olute E o a n d whe n

g ,

so derived a ppe a r a s the u n i v ersa l r a ti on a l sou ls o

, f
r eali ty i n l Hegel g i n d e n t derive
ge n er a . a a o s , o ,

the m fro m self a ffir ma t i o n by a r e a dy m a de Ab so lute

- -
,

but op eni n g hi s i n qui ry a t the b a re st o f n o ti on s

,

( B e i n g ) reg a rds the m a s cons ti tu ti n g di a lectic a lly

, ,

thr ough Na ture a nd Mi n d the AB S OL U TE In in di ,

.
 THE WOR L D AS IMAGINATIO N
c a tin g the p a ssa ge of o n e c a teg ory i n t o a n other
i n the di a lectic i n exhibiti n g them a s the livi n g
,

s pirit o f N a tur e a n d Mi n d i n gre a tly a ugme n ti n g ,

their n umber so th a t they c o ver a ll the do m a i n s o f

experien ce i n ste a d o f m ere percepti o n i n equippi n g ,

p u re th o ught with a s y n thetic a s well a s a n a n a lytic

p o we r fin a lly i n ide n tifyi n g l ogic with o n to lo gy

, ,

Heg e l a s so m a n y h a ve held lift s K a n t fr o m the

, ,

S tyx i n to O lympus fro m the gropi n g s of a g n o stic

,

s ubjectivi s m i n to the ve ry he a rt o f re a lity For .

Hegel the mere judgmen t f orm s o f Ka n t h a ve -

bec o me the very b a si s a n d super structur e o f solid

fa ct whether i n Na tur e or i n fi n ite se n tie n t s They
,
”
.

perme a te t o o a s u ni ver sa l th ought determi n a

, ,
-

ti o n s the flo w o f hi story Thu s the c o ur s e o f

,
.

philoso ph er s thi n ki n g if we ig n ore it s c o n ti n ge n t

’
,

or ch a n c e fe a ture s illu stra te s the di a lectic o f the

,

c a teg orie s fro m pure Bei n g a s p o n dered o ver by

,

the I oni c thi n ker s of Greece through the l o n g s erie s ,

o f i n termedi a te c a teg orie s d o w n t o the c a teg o ry o f ,

c a teg orie s the Ab solute Ide a a s vo iced by Hegel

, , .

All thi s i s a m a g ni fice n t experime n t sple n di dl y ,

de vi sed a n d wo n derfully c a rried o u t It fa il s .

b e c a u se eve n t h e gi a n t i n tellect Of Hegel c a nn o t

c o pe with t h e situ a ti o n cre a ted by the origi n a l
mi s ta ke o f Ka n t There wa s n o n eed t o i n ve n t the
.

L og i ca l R
ea l hyp o thesi s o f super sen sibl e c a teg orie s a t a ll An d
b
i sm i n e v i t a l e .

on ce ta ken ou t of the s ys tem of K a n t ( wh o fed h i s

.

empty c a tegorie s with the c o n te n t for which

the y cr a ved ) the hyp o the si s le a d s str a ight t o
,

Logic a l Rea li sm Th e con ten t r e quire d for the

.

c a t eg ori e s c a n o nl y be pro vided by a tour de for ce .

Th e so c a lled -
a l o gic a l or bli n d elemen ts o f
re a lity se n sible multipli city c a n n o l o n ger be
, ,

dr a wn from thi n g s i n them selves They h a v e

- -
.
,
 THE W ORLD AS IM AGINATION
eleme n ts a re sa id t o be di a lectic a l ; a fa ll of r a i n ,

for i n st a n ce i s a n illu str a ti on o f di a l e ctic a s it s h o w s

,

i n N a ture All n a tur a l pr o ce sse s i n f a ct a r e di a

.
, ,

lec t i c a l . An d o n the c osmic sc a le the Ab so lute

, ,

Ide a itself i s the re soluti o n o f the a n tith e se s o f

Na ture a n d Mi n d The Idea i s a rticul a ted a s
.

a b str a ct s elf ide n tic a l u ni ty

,
-
n eg a ti o n o f thi s by ,

a plur a l o ther o f p a rticul a rity a n d di ffere n c e s ,

a n d a s c o n crete ide n tity i n di ffer e n ce s a n d u n ity

- -

i n plur a lity wherei n it a ffirm s it s elf with a rich e r

-
,

c o n te n t Thu s the n oti ona l Th o ught Uni ver s e

.
-
,

al so h a s i t s di a lectic which we o f c o ur s e do
, , , ,

n o t m a ke but m erely repr o duce or echo i n o ur

,

t hi nk i n g Th e o vercomi ng o f the a n tithe si s is the

.

re surrecti on o f the Ide a the wea lthi e r for a ll the ,

di sti n cti o n s h a rm oni sed a n d i n cluded withi n it self .

“
Th e re sul t i n que s ti on h o wever mu st n o t be , ,

expre ssed a mi ss It doe s n ot o ccur a t the e n d o f

.

a tim e pro cess-

Momen ts severed for u s a re
.

t ogeth e r fo r the Absolute Ide a the c o n sci o u s ,

Rea son the No ti o n which k n o w s a ll a s it self Th e

, .

t a il o f the s erpe n t i s i n the serpe n t s m o uth Thi s ’

.

s elf s u n deri n g o f the Ide a i s the H egeli a n f orm o f

-

the my stic Ja c o b BOhme s view th a t witho ut s elf ’

di r e mpti o n the bei n g o f the Eter n a l wo uld be n o n

bei n g . Co n sci o us kn o wledge it i s ur ged implie s , ,

a n tithe si s withi n the S piritu a l Gr o u n d .

We sa w tha t i n a live n oti ona l Uni ver se thi s

, ,

di a lectic i s impera tive Ther e i s required m ore th a n

.

s t a g n a n t n o ti o n s embr a ced by a n i n ert s upreme

Noti on A dyn a mic i s wa n ted which forces a n y

.

a spect o f the Wh o le ou t of i tself by a n ece s sity

imm a n e n t i n i t s o wn bei n g Thi s i s pr o vided i n .

the self p rop u lsi on of a n oti o n wh os e imma n e n t

-
 H EGEL
ne g a tivity implie s de vel o pme n t by c on tr a dicti on
by p a ssa g e o f it self i n to i t s o ther a n d retur n
up on itself e nr ich e d Th e di a lectic a l meth o d a s
.

reve a le d i n the l ogic i s thi s ma n n e r Of self

pro pul si on of pure th o ught Thi s m a rch i s to be .

gra sp e d by Heg el a s on e i mmer sed i n the life of

,

Rea son i tself Ficht e a l so h a d m a de use o f a

.
, ,

triplicity of The si s An tithe si s a n d S yn the si s whe n

,

derivi n g the c a teg orie s but so mewh a t a s a dr e a mer ,

o f dr e a m s who se ide a li sm ( de spite a ppe a l t o a n

,

Ab solute Ego wa s t oo s ubjective still He .

s t a rt e d fr o m a fir s t pri n ciple the s elf a ffir m a t i o n o f ,

-

it self by the Ab solut e Ego which di d n ot a lter a s t h e ,

s yn the se s pr o ceede d S ch elli n g a l so h a d trea ted

.
, ,

o f a triply a rticul a ted rhythmic a l m o veme n t i n h i s

-

s ch e m e o f the p ote n ce s but i n the m a nn e r o f a ,

sp e ct a t o r wa tchi n g a n a b s tr a ct Ab so lut e it self a ,

“
b a rre n i n di fferen ce ( i e n either the o n e n or the . .

o th e r ) o f Na tu re a n d Mi n d The s e l a tter a r e n o t a s .
,

S chelli g deemed o n n e qu l foo ti g Mi n d i s the

n a a ,
n —

truth o f Na ture which it embra c e s a n d tra n ,

s ce n d s An d the Ab solute i s n ot t o be s eized a s

.

i s S chelli n g s I n differe n ce Ab so lute

’
by a n in -
,

tuiti o n ” but i s t o be reg a rded i n a s e n s e a s re sult

,
1
.

It i s n ot a n i n determi n a te S ub sta n ce but S pirit ,

which a g a i n i s the Ide a retur n i n g to itself i n the

, , ,

n eg a ti n
g o f Na ture a s the Ab solute Ide a O b serve
, .

th a t n o o pp osit e i s suppre ssed i n the rec o n cili n g o f

t h e Ide a a n d Na ture a n d o f mi n o r c o n tra di ct ory
p a irs B oth o pp o site s s ub si st m o difie d a t o n ce
.
,

a b o li shed a n d pr e served i n the high e r n o ti o n Th e .

,

Idea a n d Na ture a r e a like a sp e ct s o r m o me n t s

“
,
”

differ en t but no longer exclus i v e o f the Ab solute ,

Idea .

1
In a s en se . Not as th e e n d Of a ti me - pr ocess .
 THE WORLD AS IMAGIN ATION

THE SY S TE M
7 .We h a ve n o w i n di c a te d the m a i n hi storic a l
in flu en ce s which c o n spired t o the pro mpti n g o f
Hegel — the Greek cult o f the n oti o n or c o n cept ,

a n d the Greek belief i n the timele ss Ab solute a l so ,

n o ti o n a l o f a ll t h e perfecti o n s ;
,
the ri se o f the
“
peculi a r judgi n g c on cept or c a teg ory with
Ka n t a n d t h e di a lectic o f o pp o siti o n s o r c o n t r a di c
,

ti on s a l so n ot ig n or e d by the Greek s a n d by K a n t
, ,

but fa r more sig ni fic a n tly tre a ted by Ficht e a n d

S chelli n g Th e ide a li sm it self i s Objective Na tur e
. .

i s i n depe n de n t o f thi s o r th a t fi n ite s e n tie n t It i s .

n o t eve n a s with Fichte a n a ppe a r a n c e withi n a n

, ,

Ab solute Ego ( c o mm on t o a ll fi n ite s e n tie n t s )

which rem a i n s fixedly wh a t it i s while c o n templ a ti n g ,

i t s w ork Thi s i s still s ubjective ide a li sm

. Th e .

Hegeli a n Ide a p a sse s i n to Na ture i t s o ther n e ss

“
, ,
”

a n d N a ture e ve n i n the Ab solute Ide a rem a i n s a

, ,

”
m o me n t s u spe n ded i n th o ugh sub ordi n a ted t o
, ,

t h e Ide a More a ccura tely p erh a p s we o ught t o

.
, ,

s a y th a t t he Ide a i s n o t wh olly s u n k i n N a ture .

In Hegel s exp ositi o n the Ide a m a i n t a i n s it self a l so

’
, ,

i n the b a ckgr o u n d a n d i s the s o urce a pp a re n tly , ,

Of wh a t folk wo ul d n o w c a ll Evo luti o n i n the

m o st gen era l se n se o f th a t term .

N ature s a ys Hegel i s due t o t h e sta tuti n g

, ,

o f the Ide a In l ogic he di scu s s e s Go d i n Hi s

.

etern a l ch a ra ct er i e a s reve a l e d i n the ba sic super

, . .

s e n sibl e c a teg orie s o r th o ught determi n a ti o n s -

.

But l ogic i s a re a lm o f s h a de s Heg el begi n s with

.

the m ost a b stra ct o f c a teg orie s Bei n g a n d pr o , ,

c e e ds p a in fully thr o ugh the di a lectic Of Bei n g a n d

Esse n ce to the cl o se o f the di a lectic o f the Noti on ,

 THE WORLD AS IMA INATION G
fa r it c o n cern s u s He gel i s the ch a mpi on o f
as . .

th ose who believe th a t the Gr o un d of phe n ome n a

i s c on sci o u s R E A S O N He puts the c a se a s no o n e .

el se we m a y a ssume ca n put it It rem a i n s o nl y

, ,
.

to a ppe n d so me fur ther critici sm s which I a m

a rr a n gi n g i n the m a i n
, i n a n order dict a ted by the ,

precedi n g a cc o u n t .

THE C U LT OF T HE NO TI ON OR C ON C E P T
OR L OG A L IC ID EA
’
8 . Is
Hegel t o b orr o w a phr a s e fr o m Pla to s
,

S op hi s t a ,
frie n d of f orm s Th e N o ti on he ,

a ss ure s u s i s n o t a n a b str a ct g e n er a l co n c e pt s uch

,

as u n dersta n di n g fr a me s but the pri n ciple of ,

a ll life p o sse ssi n g i n every p a rt a ch a r a cter o f

Th e N oti on i s n ot by defi n iti o n

”
c on crete n e ss 1
.
, ,

a st a g n a n t on e Bergso n s sn a p sh o t o r fig ur a t e
’

c on cept An d it shun s the critic by esca p i ng fr om

.

“
a ll obser v a ti on It i s n ot p a lp a ble t o the t o uch
.
,

a n d whe n we a r e e n g a g e d with it we mu s t be de a d ,

t o he a ri n g a n d seei n g It s s uper s e n sible ch a r

”
2
.

a cter whe n
,
pur e i s sa id t o be a n excellen ce We ,
”
.

n o te here a beque s t fr o m Greek c o n cept w o r s hip -

,

which belittled the s en sible There i s a p a s sa ge i n .

the Rep ubli c i n which S ocra te s sa ys th a t the vi sible

m o ti o n s o f t h e sta r s fa ll fa r S hort o f the b e a uty o f
“
i n telligibl e m o ti o n s i n volvi n g re a l s wift n e ss
a n d re a l sl o w n e s s —the se l a tt e r mer e c on ceptu a l
figme n t s o f t h e C omm a n d type ( Ch a p II . .

Thi s wa y lie s f olly

’
But t o retur n t o He g el s s c o rn
.

—
for se n se a r e we i n so oth de a li n g with a t o pic o f , ,

1
W ll a a ce , Logi c oH
f g
e el ,
D octrin e of the Notion , p . 2 47.

2
Ibid , . p . 2 48 .
 HE EL G
s uperla tive excelle n ce whe n we di scu ss pur e
Ca u sa lity i n hi s l ogic i n s te a d o f thi n ki n g o f it i n
,

v i ew of a ctua l ca us a l r ela ti on s i n a s en si ble s i tua ti on

s uch a s a g a me o f billi a rd s O r i s the reveren ce

fo r the pure n oti on merely a sup er stiti o n which ,

per si sts for s ome me n m a i nly bec a u se they a re ,

s l a ve s o f w ord s

Hegel reg a rds a n o ti on a s a b str a ct when

s evered fr o m i t s c o nn exi o n s with the other n oti o n s

whi ch it implic a te s O ur view i s th a t n o c onn ect

.

i n g u p of it with mer e n o ti on s c a n r e m o ve the

-

A n o ti o n i s a subs ti tute fa ct fOI A

”
a b str a ct n e ss -
n o ti on
'
.

‘l bs mu te
th a t which e xperien ce for o n e c a u s e o r a n other fi i
'

, , c o

c a nn ot pre sen t t o u s dir e ctly En te rt a i n e d quite .

“ ”
a l oo f fr o m s e n sibl e d a t a it bec o me s so pure a s
t o be v er ba l .

Thi s ub stitute f a ct c a n be u sed i n a lot o f n ovel

s -

c on structi o n a n d a s thu s u sed seem s t o develo p

, ,

n e w re a lity But i n truth it i s steril e a p a rt fro m

.
, ,

ou r m a n ipul a ti on o f it Th e c on c e pt n o m or e .

“
c on ta i n s implicitly a ll th a t which di a l e ctic i s

s a id t o dr a w fr o m it th a n a Quee n a t che ss h o ld s

p ote n ti a lly t h e hu n dreds o f m o ve s which I c a n

pl a n with her duri n g my life .

A p sycho l ogic a l r e a son why some men i n cli n e t o Wh y m en t en d

believe i n supersen sible n oti o n s or c o n cept s i s bec a u s e

they u se wo rd s l a rg ely i n a n a lg e bra ic wa y with o ut
much c o n c ern — till verific a ti o n s a r e immi n e n t— for
ima g e s Thi s ki n d o f thi n g i s ju stifie d bec a u se by
.
,

Ob servi n g certa i n rule s for the g a me o f verb a l

symb ol s we ca n t o a limited ext e n t m a ke it wor k
, ,
.
,

Va st blocks of our kn owledge c on si st of words

 THE WORLD A S IMA GINATION
which s erve a s guide s t o a cti o n witho ut c a rryi n g
much me a n i n g o f their o wn Th e pro cedure h ow .
,

e ver ,
h a s i t s ri sk s a n d i n pr a ctice the se a r e c o n
,

t i n u a lly bei n g re a li sed .

I a m fo rced t o reject the a lleged s uper se n sible

Bei n g with which the di a lectic sta rt s h a vi n g ,

n o a w a re n e s s wh a tever o f thi s n oti on a s freed

fro m a ll s e n sible t a i n t I a gre e with Mill th a t t h e
me a n i n g o f Bei n g c a rri e s u s b a ck to experie n ce
— n ot i n deed t o the st a te s o f c on s ci o u sn e s s
, ,

which he me n ti on s but r a ther t o the sen si ble conten t

,

”
which c o n s ci o u sn e s s light s Bei n g i s a l ogic a l . .

It de sce n ds fro m n o s uper sen sible n o etic he a ve n ,

but i s felt whe n ever so u n ds c ol our s st on e s e t c , , ,

.
,

a r e felt Th e c o n cept
. Bei n g me a n s a n ythi n g
n o ticed o r n o tice a ble which s trike s a tte n ti o n as

c ol o ur s or s to n e s strike it H a vi n g m a de it firs t .

me a n thi n g s like s ton e s o r tr e e s I c a n a n d

, , ,

o fte n d o l a ter exten d i t s u se t o i n dic a te qu a litie s

, ,

qua n titie s a n d rel a ti o n s a l so sen tie n t ce n tre s like

, ,

myself An d s o o n
. Fur ther I c a n u se it a s a .
,
“
C o mm a n d Co n c e pt ( Ch a p II
- 4 ) t o me a n un . .

derive d i n det e rmi n a te n e ss a s with Hegel But I ,

.

d o n o t c onf r o n t i n f a ct a pure n o ti on .

Bei g n n o n B ei n g
, Bec o mi n g -
Exi s t , ,

” “
Esse n ce a n d Appe a r a n ce
”
e n ce , Ca u sa lity , ,

’
etc etc a s di scu ssed i n H egel s l ogic a r e I
. .
, ,

mu st s ubmit mer e wo rd s u n le ss a l o n g with the

, , ,

u s e o f the s e w ord s there g o e s a fr e que n t gla n c

,

i n g a t s e n sibl e experie n ce s o r a spect s o f s e n sible ,

D i d Hegel de a l experie n ce s Mea n whi le be quite sure th a t Hegel

r e
.

W i th p u
i
n o t on s ?
him self i s ta ki n g s urr eptiti c u s p ccPs a t se n s e ”

from time t o time Re a d the D octri n e s o f Bei n g

“
.
 THE WORL D AS IM A IN ATION G
Wh ole of n oti o n s i s a cc ordi n gly logi ca l a n d Na ture
, , ,

a n d Mi n d a r e merely i t s di sgui se s o r a pplic a ti o n s

a pp lied l ogic sa y s, Heg el ) An d a s a pure

”
.

n o ti o n i s a b o ve time s o t h e Wh ole o f n o ti o n s a l s o
, , ,

i s a b o ve time Thi s i s the ge n e si s of the timele s s

.

Ab so lute which c a me fro m a n cie n t Greek th o ught

a n d i s repr o duced i n a s uperi o r c o n text by Heg e l
, , .

Wh a t a situ a ti on i s cre a ted for th o s e wh o fa ce the

a b o mi n a ti on s o f the a ctu a l w orld ! Thi s Ab so lut e
o f the perfecti o n s h a s t o embr a ce a n ythi n g a n d

everythi g fro m the Gre a t Wa r the s qu a l o r a n d

n — ,

mi s erie s o f hum a n life do wn to the torture s o f a ,

—
vivi sected ra bbi t withi n i t s timele ss re a lity Thu s .

A n i gh tmar e fa r phil oso pher s But the mere l a ym a n feel s th a t

.

o f i ma gi n in g
m on s tro u s mi sta ke h a s bee n m a de
.

so me th a t
Ab so lute s o f thi s o rder which ch a r a cteri s e n ot o n ly
,

We stern but a n cien t I n di a n tho ught a r e a m o n g

, ,

the n ightm a re s of hum a n im a gi ni n g An d thi s we .

s h a ll cert a i nl y fin d t o be the c a se .

Th e bject o f philosophy sa ys He gel i s t h e Ide a

o , ,
.

There i s a m a g n ific e n t o utloo k her e Nothi n g le ss .

th a n the Ide a o ught to be t h e s ubject o f the thi n ker ,

who se i n tere st o ut soa rs a n yt hi n g el se tha t life c a n

Offer— c on ve n ti on a l religi o n bei n g a p o or thi n g a n d
a n a rro w be s ide the subl i me pr ospect o pe ni n g up
“
before him Fi n ite e n ds a n d a im s s h o w s ta le t o
.

the m a n i n to xic a ted with the mystery o f the Ide a .

Agreed . But the Ide a mu st n ot be r e g a rded i n the ,

H egeli a n wa y a s n oti on a l i e a s a n a l og o u s i n ch a r
, ,
. .

a ct e r t o th a t which i s cre a ted whe n we c o n ceive .

There i s a deeper a n d m o re i n clu sive hyp othe si s

, ,

a va il a ble Tur n a g a i n t o Na ture a n d se n tie n t life i n

.

i t s th o u sa n ds o f a spect s a n d perh a p s yo u will fin d

, , ,

it. Lo gic i s perh a ps ou r dodge fa cilita ti n g the

, , ,
 H EG E L
pro ce sse s which we c a ll re a son i n g while po sse ssi n g a ,

limited theoretic a l i n tere st i n so fa r a s it a n a lyse s

,

them . But ho wever yo u tr a ce it s fro n tier s l ogic

, ,
“
rem a i n s wha t Hegel i n deed on ce c a lled it a re a lm
, , , ,

“
o f s h a de s An d thi s re a lm of sh a de s c a nn o t
”
.

be c o n j ur ed with so a s t o yield a n a pplied l ogic

i n the s h a pe o f Na ture a n d se n tie n t experie n ce It i s .

the tro uble of Ma teri a li sm impo rted i n to Ide a li sm

the Gro un d o f phen omen a h a s bee n m a de too s i mple ,

too thi n too emp ty of conten t for the N a tu r e a nd

, ,

s en ti en t life i n whi ch i t i s sa id to ma n ifest By wh a t .

mira cle i s l ogic a pplied so a s t o blo sso m fo rth

i n to the p a rticul a rity c o l o ur a n d life o f the world
, ,

Ho w a m I t o extra ct the gl ory of the Ma tterh or n

“
a n d the s o rr o w s Of Werther or eve n t o deduce
,

Krug s p en fro m the c old sterility Of the No tio n

’

Thi s form o f Ide a li sm i s fa l s e It i s simply i n .

a dequ a te t o i t s o bject — the Un iver se On e c o uld .

prefer eve n t h e s a yi n g o f Ra v a i sso n L e mon de ,

e n tier e st l ceu v r e d un e be a ut é a b solue qui n e st la

’ ’

,
’

c a u se des ch ose s que p a r l a mo ur qu e ll e met e n ’ ’

elle s —s upp o si n g a Gr o u n d i n whi ch a richer

c o n ten t o bt a i ns On e difficulty h o wever wo uld
.
, ,

be t o u n der st a n d the full ch a r a cter o f the c on te n t

i n te n ded . An o ther t o a cc o u n t for the a b o mi n a
ti on s o f life a s a pplied Bea uty .

O ur so luti o n h a s been sugge s ted a lrea dy All .

thi s critici sm m erely serve s to clea r the wa y for a

full er s ta tem en t o f it Wh a t i s hyp o th e si s ? An Th Id
. e ea a s
m gm a”
i ma gi n a l cre a ti o n
a
Wh a t i s o ur im a gi n a l cre a ti on
t o st a n d fo r i n o ur mi n d s ? For im a gi n a ti on a s
t h e s e cret o f the Un iver se— the o n ly p o wer su ffi
c i e n tl c o n crete pl tic d cre a tive to blo sso m
y a s ,
a n ,
 . THE WORLD G
AS IM A IN ATIO N

i n to the won der a n d horror o a ture a n d se n tie n t f N

life Im a gi n a ti o n let u s rec a ll is Hume s ma gi ca l
.
, ,
’

f l
”
a cu ty which , n o mere p s ych o l o gy c o ul d expl a i n .

Thi s perch a n ce i s the gre a t Ma gici a n Wh o se th ought

, ,

h old s the r o m a n ce of the i n fi n ite An d i n o n e o f .

the petty wo rld s whi ch He h a s c a lled i n to bei n g ,

it i s still im a gi n a ti on i n the form o f hyp o the si s , ,

which h a s t o simul a te a n d s upp o se the Gre a t Po wer

o f w hich it i s a r a y It w o uld be rem a rk a bl e if o u r
.

tho ught c o ul d be fo u n d to cl ose with i t s o bject i n a

m a n n er so i n tim a te a s thi s view sugge st s .

N te fi n a lly th a t the Hegeli a n Go d c o n sci o u s

o , , ,

Re a so n o ught n o t to be p a lmed o ff o n the pl a i n

,

m a n a n d humble wo r s hipper a s a pricele ss te n et o f

“
Thi s s wi n dl e c a nn o t be c o n
”
a b so lute religi o n .

demn ed t oo s everely If yo u de sire t o te st the.

m a tter t a ke the Lo rd s Pr a yer a n d sub s titute

,
’

for the words Ab solute Ide a

”
o u r F a ther .

Remember th a t thi s Ab solute m a n ife st s a s yo ur

fa ther ( a n d m other ) but a l so a s your m orta l e n emy ;
,

th a t su n k i n to it s othern e ss a s Na ture it i s ,

di spl a yed i n every det a il a ro u n d you w

,

hich i s s qu a lid
a n d vile It s l ogic
. a pplied give s ri se t o the
, ,

f o ul a s well a s the fa ir It h a s t o i n clude every .

thi n g a n d it i s n othi n g i n p a rticul a r so tha t it i s

, ,

quite futile t o speci a li s e i t s ch a ra cter t o s uit your

p a ssi n g n eed s Futile a l so t o pra y
.
, ,

May God Almigh ty g r ant Hi s a id

To Kes i c w k and i ts woollen t r a de !
”

-
the se sm l m tter s bel g al a on to the time order -
,

a n d the Ab solute is e n thro n ed in a m a je s ty a b o ve

time .
 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

Hegel tha t the tho ught develo pme n t i n l ogic do e s -

n o t n eed verific a ti on by exp e rie n ce exter n a l to it

it i s s elf ver ifyi n g But i n the c a s e s o f Na ture

-
.

a n d s e n tie n t life we h a ve t o a ttempt a lo t o f veri

fica t i o n quite o ut side the field Of l ogic For Hegel .

h a s c ommitted him self t o the view th a t the s e

“ ”
s phere s a r e a pplied l o gic Co n sequen tly we c a n .

l o ok a t a ctu a l Na ture a n d Hi story a n d se e h ow

the a lleged a pplic a ti o n h a s worked Yo u sa y th a t .

“
the l ogic a l fo rm s re a ppea r here i n va ri o u s
”
g ui s e s G oo d But o bvi ou sly thi s ki n d o f hypo
. .

the si s c a n be te sted by worka da y experie n ce .

Hegel however h a s a lre a dy sce n ted d a n ger a n d

, , ,

prep a res u s for di sillu si on me n t by men ti o n of c o n

”
ti n gen cy Th e Idea a br o g a te s i t s strict l o gic a l
.

n ece ss ity i n N a ture Na ture a cc ordi n gly i s i m

.
, ,
~

p o ten t t o keep the m o me n t s o f the Noti o n c o n

n e ct e d It flout s cle a n a n d fixed lo gic a l c la ssi fica
.

ti on s set s the ide a l o f i n telligibly a rtic ul a ted

,

Eve n Hegel s gre a t S c ot

’
a rr a n geme n t s a t n o ught .

ti sh cha mpi on D r Hutc hi n so n S tirli n g c on cede s

, ,

th a t o nly p a rti a ll y a n d i n terruptedl y c a n t he

c a teg ory ch a i n be sho wn t o u n derlie the phen o

-

men a l c on ti n ge n cy whether of Na ture or Hi story

, .
”

Hegel wa s n ot h a ppy with Na tur e philosophy -

,

le a vi n g t o o much un expl a i n ed a n d a s Erdm a n n , ,

“
decide s imp a tie n ce a t the fa ct th a t so much i s
,

un k n ow n m a ke s him fr e e with the cha rge th a t

Na ture i s too wea k to exhibit rea son e verywhere ,

th a t much i s a ccide n ta l a n d wholly with o ut m e a n ,

The s e a r e symp a thetic a uthoriti e s wh os e

”1
i ng.
,

te stimo n y ma y be m ore welc ome th a n mi n e Wh a t .

,

then a re we t o thi nk
,
Na ture a n d Hi story seem
1
Hi story of M odern P hi losophy Eng , . t r a ns , p . 689 .
 G
HE EL

in revolt a g a i n st the l ogic of the No ti on How .

do e s thi s s qu a re with the s a yi n g th a t the re a l i s

t h e r a ti on a l a n d the r a ti o n a l i s the re a l whi ch we
cited i n c omme n ci n g o u r critici sm of Heg el Where
i s the ve rific a ti o n by experie n c e here a t le a s t c om ,

p ul s or y o f
, the s t a teme n t th a t N a ture a n d s e n tie n t
life a re a pplied l ogic

Well ma y we be surpri sed th a t the L ogic a l Ide a ,

i n a dequ a te i n o ther re spect s t o the Uni ver se h a s t o ,

pr o vide the a logic a l or a n ti l ogic a l ph a se s o f it ! -

“
Hegel h a s ur ged i n o n e pl a ce th a t the Ide a bri n g s S t ra n
g
e up

S urely
’
ph ed lo gl c
t o i t s c on sci ou sn e ss wha t i t i s i n i tself
” ‘

thi s erupti o n of the a l ogic a l a n d a n ti l ogic a l i s n ot -

fro m the he a rt of the pure No ti on ? But if n o t ,

fro m wha t mysteri o u s b o ur n e h a s it fla shed i n to

bei n g ? Ag a i n hu n dreds o f th o u sa n d s o f i n sa n e
,

per son s burde n t hi s pla n et Is thi s p a rt of the wa y

.

i n which the Logic a l Ide a bri n g s t o i t s c o n sci o u sn e ss

wha t it implicitly o wn s ? Th e re s eem s a little
di fficulty t o be c o u n tered An d a ss ure dl y t o
.
, ,

mumble c on ti n ge n cy i s n ot the m a n n er t o
c o un ter it .

12 The D ia lecti c di a lectic re semble s a Th di l ti

Th e e a ec c

“ “
. .

ma gni fic en t lo o ki n g m o to r ca r with a b onn et fro m

- -
“ ” ! 11 a
,

n —
u der whi ch the e n gi n e h a s bee n rem o ve d i t won t .
’

’
s ta r t
. Hegel s cl a im i s tha t Bei n g i s the fir st
m ere th ought ; tha t wha tever el se yo u begi n with
( with the I ==I with the a b solute i n di ffere n ce o r
, ,

with Go d Him self ) yo u begi n with a figure o f m a teri

,

a li se d c o n c e pti o n n o t a pr o duct o f th o ught ; a n d

,

tha t so fa r a s i t s hold o f tho ught i s c o n cern ed s uch

, ,

b egi nni n g i s merely Bei n g ”

Thu s a pur e s up e r
.

se ns ible tho ught i s t o be the sta rti n g p o i n t Fr om -

.
 THE WOR LD AS IMAGINATION

thi s fir st defin iti on o f the Ab solute Ide a there is

”
a di a lectic a l p a s sa ge t o the s ec o n d defin iti on ,

Nothi n g ; Bei n g returni n g on itself enriched wi th

di sti n cti o n pre se n t ye t s ub or di n a ted a s Bec omi n g
, , ,

the fir st tr u thfu l c a teg ory o f th o ught the fir st c on ,

crete thought a n d therefore the firs t n oti on s tr i ctly

, ,
“
s o ca lled
-
Fo
. r the st rti n g p oi n t i s a n
a - o rigi n a l

un derived i n dete rmi n a te n e ss with n o a ssig n a ble

c on ten t a t a ll It c on ta i n s n o m o men t s which
.

it i n clude s a n d tr a n sce n ds Th e di a lectic thus .

s t a rted g o e s o n ( n o t with o ut liber a l s ide gl a n ce s -

at s e n sible f a ct ) till the Noti on of n o ti on s i s

re a ched .

No w if Bei n g were a thought of mere i n de

t er mi n a t en e s s dev o id o f a n y se n sibl e c o n te n t the
, ,

tra n siti on i n t o No thi n g woul d be simple But t h is .

B ei n g is i s j u st wh a t it i s n ot It i s a tho ught of s e n sible

.

n ot p ur e .

exi sten ce fro m which p a rtic ul a rity h a s va ni shed

o wi ng t o the blur ri n g o f mem o rie s o f i n n umer a ble

c on ten t s 1
O r ra th er it ma y be thi s bec a use I
.
, , ,

fin d th a t i n my o wn c a se I c a nn o t u se the term
, ,

with a n y va lue t o thi n ki n g u nle ss I a dd t o my ,

s tock o f c on te n t by gl a n ci n g m o me n ta rily a t
pre se n t o bject s or the co n ti n uum i n which such
o bject s lie Bei n g a lwa y s i n clude s se n sible
2
.

c o n te n t blurred or defi ni te An d hen ce it c a nn o t

,
.

be equ a ted with No thi n g ( unl e ss yo u me a n by

Nothi n g wha t I mea n i n pra ctic a l life when I sa y
’
there s n othi n g i n the cupb o a rd v i z n o thi n g I , .

wa n t but s omethi ng el se )
, Bei n g a n d n on Bei n g .
-

1
Vide sup ra , 8 .

2
An d wh en I u se Big t m e n i t ft d o ea n , as o en oes, a

con sci ou s se nti en t , Ih t b

av e m m m t rily
o ec o i e o en a c on sc ous of

my own sen ti e n t a c ti i ty b f r I
v b
e o e f fr m rb li c an e sa e o ve a s m .
 THE W OR L D AS IM A IN AT ION G
men a There i s n o i n qu i étude p oussa nte in
. a b a re
n oti o n which h a s n o se n sible c on ten t a n d
, is n ot

bei n g u sed by a ma n wh o wa n t s a resul t .

Di a lectic wa s fa vo ured by Hegel a s a comp elli n g

p o wer of a n i n tell ectu a l sort a t home i n the r a re
, ,

a tm osphere o f l o gic But he a l so di sc over s it he

.
,

thi n k s eve rywhere i n Na ture It i s a u ni ver sa l

,
“
.

a n d irre si stible — “
p o wer a dyn a mic th a t lie s a t
the ro ot o f every n a tur a l pr o ce ss a n d a s it were , ,

f N f f
”
o r ces a tu r e ou t o i tse l Wherever there i
. s

a n ythi n g c a rried i n t o e ffect i n the a ctu a l w o rld

there we h a ve thi s dyn a mic Th e limit a ti o n s o f a .

fi n ite exi ste n t do n o t a ll come fro m with o ut It .

c a rrie s withi n it self the seed o f i t s a ltera ti on ; o f

i t s p a ssa ge i n t o i t s o pp osite In virtue o f i t s o wn .

“
s elf s u n deri n g i n t o c o n tr a di ctory
”
-
m o me n t s it i s ,

fo rced o n t o the p a th o f cha n ge .

Th e belief i s th a t the fin ite a s bei n g i mp li ci tly ,

other th a n wh a t it i s i s f o rced t o s urre n der i t s o wn

,

immedi a te o r n a tura l bei n g a n d t o tur n sudde n ly

i n t o its Opp o site a nd
,
the Me sop o t a mi a n wo rd
”

“
implicitly s uggests v a gu ely tha t the p r ess u r e i s
1

n oti on a l . On e i n s t a n ce o f o bjective di a lectic i s

cited fr o m a stro n o my At thi s m o me n t the pl a n et
.

s t a n d s i n thi s s p o t but i mp li ci tly it i s the p o s sibility

,

o f bei n g i n a n o ther s p o t ; a n d th a t p ossibility o f

bei ng o ther wi s e the pl a n et bri n g s i n to e xi s t e n ce by

In s uch gui se s d o e s the l o gic a l tri
”
m o vi n g .
2

p li c i t y de s ce n d i n t o N a t ur e

We sha ll see l a ter th a t , so fa r fro m bei n g im

1
Th a t bl esse d w rd M p t
o eso o a mi a !
2
Logi c oH
f g
e el ,
W ll p 12 8
a a ce , . .
 H E G EL
pli c i t ly ther th a n wh a t it i s a fi ni te exi ste n t i s Fi i t xi t
o ,
n e e s
t t k by e n s, a en
i n here n tly self con serv i n g a n d te n ds t o be sta tic t h m l
-
.
e s e v e s,

An d we s h a ll be a ble t o s ugge st further o n wh a t , ,

b si s thi s s elf c o serv ti o r t s But th t i s

a n a n e s -
a d i g .
con ser v n

c u s si o n bel o n g s t o a n other pl a c e For the m o me n t .

I will s ubmit the a n s wer t o Hegel which wa s m a de

i n my l a s t wo rk Let u s c on sider a ch e mic a l ch a n ge
.
,

s a y o f H a n d O t o f orm wa ter
, the supp osa l bei n g
th a t the se sym bol s st a n d fo r rela tively i n depe n de n t
p y
s ch i ca l exi s ten ts i n N a tur e

Wh a t Obt a i n s prim a rily i n Na tur e i s the rule o f

Might— o i the a logic a l which thru sts c on ten t o n
c o n t e n t a n d so force s thi s o u t Of it self
,
But we .
’

h a ve see n further th a t ther e i s a n o ta ble tr i p li ci ty

,
1
,

i n thi s a c t The re i s ( A ) the i n va di n g or e n cr o a ch

.

i n g c on t e n t B
( ) the c o n t e n t i n v a ded a n d C
( ) the
fin a l c o n te n t i ssui n g fro m their s trife Yo u .

de sir e t o thi n k the situ a ti o n i n a di a lectic a l

wa y Thi s bei n g so yo u will c a ll ( A) t h e a ffir ma
.
,

ti on ( B ) the n eg a ti o n a n d ( C ) t h e a ffirm a ti on i n
, ,

which the n eg a ti on i s a b oli s h e d whil e pre s erved .

An d yo u will urg e th a t thi s di a lectic i s r a ti o n a l ,

c on ta i ni n g i t s pri n ciple of m o ve m e n t which i s ,

l ogic a l withi n it self ; ( A) pa ss i n g i n to i t s o pp o sit e

,

( B ) a n d bei n g i mp li ci tly i ts return i n to it self enr iched

,

a s (C But the f l ity Of thi di a lectic l e a p s t o

) . a s s

the eye Th ere i s n o imm a n e n t pro ce ss whereby N

. a t ur a l

A
( ) p a s s e s i n t o B
( ) ; a n d ( C ) a g a i n i s n o t A
( ) , ,

b a ck i n itself You h a ve u n i ted the m om e n t s

.

di a lectic a lly but yo u h a ve n ot shown h o w they were

,

pro duced For ( B ) d o e s n o t flo w o u t o f ( A) but i s

.
,

p o sited a s it were i n it s o wn right ( C ) a g a i n

‘ ’
, ,
.
, ,

1
B tt r
e e m a y be A mu ltipli ci ty of co mplex r l ti
e a on s

r
.

must be no mal .
 THE W OR L D G
AS IM A IN ATIO N

is the re sult of struggle a n d c a n n o t be sa id there

, ,

fo re t o h a ve been implicit i n ( A) R a ti on a li sm
,
.

l a y s cl a im ( a fter the eve n t ! ) to m o men t s which

1 ”
the a l ogic a l s upplie s .

D AL I E C TIC IN T HE H EGELIAN P HIL OS OPHY OF M NDI

15 . Di
l ctic a s thi s
a e i n dwelli n g ten de n cy
o utw a rd s a n d bey o n d o ught to figure everywhere

i n the s ph e re wherei n Na tur e p a sse s fro m u n c o n

s ci o u s i n t o c o n s ci o u s life ; thr o ugh a n im a l o r pl a n t

s e n tie n cy up t o the height s o f a r t religi o n a n d , ,

phil o so phy ( Hegel

. a lm os t l o s e s s ight o f i n di
v i d u a ls i n di s cu ssi n g the u ni ver sa l r a ti o n a l pul s e s

o f the N o ti o n ) But we h a ve see n th a t n either

.

Na ture n or Hi story verify the a lleged order of

the c a teg orie s or m o me n t s of t h e No ti o n Eve n .

i n the re a lm o f phil o so phy there a r e i n explic a ble

g a p s a n d i n terrupti o n s An d it i s o n ly by c on
.

s i d er i n g the Eur o pe a n phil o so phic a l develo pmen t

and ig n ori n g th a t o f the Ea st th a t e ve n t hi s
imperfect c a se for di a lectic a l a chieveme n t c a n be
m a de o u t .

Yo u
c a n n ot u n der sta n d the succe ssi o n o f st a ge s
o f th o ught i n pr o ce ss e s ca lled di a lectic a l u nl e s s yo u ,

“
m a ke a ppe a l t o wh a t some wo ul d c a ll irreleva n t
p sychology B a re di a lectic wo ul d h a ve n o drivi n g
.

p ower Con tra di cti on s dwell t ogether a mic a bly i n

.

milli o n s Of mi n d s a s t h e hi story o f theol o gy a n d so

,

much el se shows u s If they c a u se me n ta l u nr e st

.
,

it is u su a l t o put wa ddi n g betwe e n them a n d so

c on vert them i n to difierences which a r e e n terta i n ed
1 In di vi dua l a nd Rea li ty, pp . 14 2 —3 .
 THE W OR L D A S IM A GINATION
so methi n g el se Th e pre ssur e i s n ot th a t of a n
.

“
i n dwelli n g te n de n cy o utwa rds a n d beyo n d which
the Hegeli a n hyp o the si s require s I t c o me s fro m .

a n o ther s o urce Th e me a gre a spect s of re a lity

.
,

which I n ote a s a m a teri a li st b el on g t o a much ,

richer wh ole o f Na ture a n d sen tie n t life which

experie n ce pres en t s At fir st I a tte n d chiefly t o
.

the m e a gre a s pect s which serve my e n d s m a the ,

m a t i ca l o r o ther The n a va gue di s qui e t a ri s e s

.
,

a n i n qu i étude p ous sa n te — I get b ored with a lw a y s

a tte n di n g t o the se me a gre a spect s while the gre a t ,

re sidu a l m a ss of a spect s i s bei n g mo re o r le ss ig n ored .

D i a l e cti c n ot An d a t the pr o mpti n g o f n ew moti ves I a tte n d

i n di ca t e d
.

m o re o r m a i nly t o the re sidua l a spect s I e n d by

, , .

ch a n gi n g my belief Psych ol ogic a l pres sure h a s

.

bro ught me to n o tice more o f re a lity th a n I did a t

fir st.

( B ) O r t a ke the a lleged m o veme n t o f the

Noti on fro m S pi n o z a to Leibn itz H eg el would .

”
sa y th a t the l ogic a l m ome n t repre se n ted by ,

S pi n o z a develop s a c on tra dicti o n which c ompel s

, ,

an a dva n ce But there i s a n o ther a n d a m or e

.
,

a ccur a te wa y o f de s cribi n g the tr a ns iti o n

,
S pi n o z a .

c on ceive s Go d a s S ub st a n ce the u n ity of the ,

a ttribute s of Tho ught a n d Exte n si o n ( a n d ,

perh a p s of o thers u nkn o wn t o u s )

,
Thi s S ub .

s t a n ce i s t o be t h e on ly rea l exi s ten ce : i n s ecuri n g

thi s re a lity every n eg a ti o n every a ppe a ra n c e which

,

i s n ot i t h a s t o be excluded fr o m it
, But th a t which .

h a s bee n excluded mu st surely exi s t somehow by

i tself a n d th a t which h a s be e n ig n o red will s urely
,
“
be n oti ced by so me o n e le ss i n tere sted i n u n ity
th a n wa s S pi n o z a Th e a ppe a ra n ce s thu s excluded
.

a r e n oticed a n d reth o ught a s a plur a lity o f S ub

s t a n ce s by Leib ni tz No w yo u c a n reg a rd thi s tra n

.
~
 H EG EL
si t i o n as a ti o n n eg a ti n g or c on tra dicti n g it self
no .

But t h e vita l fa ct i s th a t S pi n o z a wa s i n terested ,

fo r s o m e e n d i n ,
uni ty a n d a tt en ded t o re a lity
o nl y i n s o fa r a s it pr o mi se d t o s ub s erve hi s i n tere st .

But the a spect s ig n ored were a lwa ys i n view a n d

c o uld be ou t so t o spe a k o nly by a trick An d
,
”
,
.

if o n the li n e s of t h e cle a r a n d di sti n ct idea o n e

, ,

gr a n d S ubst a n ce i e Go d c o uld be re c og n i sed

, . .
, ,

s urely a n i nfi n ity o f o ther S ub st a n ce s c o uld be rec o g

n i se d a s well An yh o w t h e n o ti on or a spect o f
.
,
“
u n ity ,
”
on which S pi n o z a i n si st s do e s n o t of ,

i tself a nd of i ts own i n i ti a ti v e p a ss o ver i n t o the

a ttitude o f plur a li sm Plura li sm i s st a ted by a n
.

“
i n dividu a l bored with the t a lk o f u nity ( which i s
,

f el t v a guely t o eclip s e t o o much ) wh o l oo k s f o rth ,

a n ew to se e h o w the Univer s e c a n s uppleme n t this

ta lki n g .

Hegel me n ti on s c a se s i n La w Politic s a n d Ethic s , ,

o f tr a n siti o n s o f exce s sive s t a te s a n d a cti o n s i n t o

their o pp o site s But i n th e se c a se s it i s n o t a n

.

un a tta ched r e a lity which tr a n smute s it s elf ; there

a r e a lwa ys i n tere s ted i n di vidu a l s a t w o rk Thu s he . .

s a ys th a t i n p olitic a l life extreme a n a rchy a n d

extreme de sp o ti sm n a tur a lly le a d t o o n e a n o th er .

But a n a rchy c a n n o t p a ss o u t o f itself u n le ss there i s ,

a di sc o n te n ted i n di vidu a l o f the required cha ra cter

a t h a n d n or n e ed a n o utr a ge o u s de sp o t live i n fe a r
, ,

if h e rul es o ve r sheep An a da ge which he cite s i s

.

To o much wit o u t wit s it self t o which th e r e i s

”
-
,

the ret ort th a t i n thi s e ve n t the e xce ss wit mu st

, ,

be o f very p o or qu a lity a s the i n dividu a l s wh o a r e

, ,

a ffected by it fin d o u t, .

( C ) Wh a t is the p ositi o n of di a lectic in the c a se

 THE WOR LD AS IMAG INATION
of thr ee or m o re c o mpeti n g hyp othe ses the im a gi n a l ,

experime n t s by which s cie n ce a n d met a physic s ,

a l so h a ve t o m o ve
,
Ta ke for i n st a n ce f o ur hyp o
.
, ,

the se s a s t o the fa ct or s o f o rg a ni c evoluti o n — tho s e

Of Wei sm a n n Eimer L a m a rck a n d a believer i n the
, , ,

O ld Testa men t go d There i s n o triplicity here

.
,

a n d o n e o r m o re o f the hyp othese s m a be e n tirely

y
u n repre se n ted i n the fi n a l truth whe n it c om e s t o
—
light m a y be wholl y suppre sse d a ttitude s Th e .

rel a ti o n of di a lectic which i s s upp o sed t o verify

,

it self t o hyp o the si s whi ch i s verified by re a lity

,

beyon d itself i s a n o b scure fe a ture of t h i s di s

,

c u s si o n Th e Hegeli a n will perh a p s reply th a t

.
, ,

s uch hyp o the s e s o nl y co n cer n c o rrect st a temen t .

They m a y c o n c e r n a s i n o ur c a se the Gr o u n d o f
, ,

a ppe a r a n ce s it self

D
( ) AN OT H R ALLEGED D IALE
E C TICA L TR A N S ITION

Th e pre sen t c a pit a li stic system a rgue s K a rl Ma rx , ,

grew o u t o f pro ductio n o n the s m a ll sc a le by cra ft s

, ,

m e n a n d pe a sa n t s On thi s level l a b o ur a n d priva t e

.

pG e r t y were u n ited the w o rker ,

o w ni n g hi s t oo l s

a n d wh a t he pr o duced ! Fir s t m o me n
. t o r priv a te
pro perty r é gime n eg a ti n g it self a s c a pita li sm ! .

En s ue s a ppr o pri a tiv e c a pit a li stic pr o ducti o n Th e .

worker a w a ge sl a ve i s s ep a r a ted from h i s pro perty

, ,
.

! S ec o n d m o me n t — the n eg a ti o n t o be n eg a ted a s

so ci a li s m ! Th e w o rker reg a i n s priva te pr o perty

.
,

n ot , ho wever i n the s h a pe of wh a t h e him self pro

,

duce s but a s a sh a re i n wh a t co —
, o per a ti n g freeme n

pr o duce o n the b a si s o f the a chi e veme n ts due t o

c a pita li sm ! S o.ci a li s m a s t h e truth o f the
precedi n g mome n t s !
 THE W OR L D G
AS IM A INATION

i n di vidua ls but which when you c o me t o lo ok for

, ,
“
it i s o nl y Vi sible t o reflecti o n There i s n o t hi n g
”
.
,

a b o ve i n dividu a l s sa ve a wh ole which i n clude s

them a s con sci ou s cen tre s a n d yet i s m ore It i s .

n oteworthy th a t a cert a i n s c or n fo r the i n dividu a l

c ol o ur s Hegel s e n tire tho ught Even hi s d o ctri n e

’
.

Of the S t a te te n d s t o e n sl a ve the i n dividu a l to the

“
will o f thi s o rg a ni sa ti on the R a ti on a l Ethic a l
,

S ub sta n ce or exi sten t Rea son to which the subject

mu st with fr ee vi si on a da pt him self Th e S t a te
”
.
,

a la s —
i s n ever exi ste n t Re a son i t i s a bu n gler a n d
,

s e ldo m i n f a ct c o mpletely s a n e
, , Hegel trea ted a .

mere con ven i en ce for ou r li v i n g t oo humbly ; a n

a ttitude n ot u n c o n n ected with the di s a str o u s S t a te

wor ship which preva iled i n Germ a n y i n 19 14 .

9 . H EGEL IAN IS M AN D F ER
A T

17But a lth o ugh we ma y di ff er fro m Hegel i n

.

imp orta n t re spects let u s sa lute the mem ory of o n e

,

Of the gre a te s t o f the phil o so pher s Un der c o ver .

o f h i s f o rm a li sm he di d spl e n di d work i n a multi

,

tude o f dep a rtmen t s o f hum a n kn o wledge An d .

he h a s fo ught a fight i n di spen sa ble for hum a n

—
th o ugh t h e i s the mightie st o f the ch a mpi on s wh o
“ ”
h old th a t Ultim a te Re a lity i s Rea son He h a s .

s a id a ll th a t c a n be sa id for th a t sta n dp oi n t An d if .

we a r e a ble to refute h i s a rgumen ts we n eed n ot ,

tr o uble he n ceforth a b o ut le ss er folk .

It is te tha t l a te i n life S chelli n g

i n teres ti n g to no ,

wh o o n h i s o wn sh o wi n g h a d lived thr o ugh va ri o u s

, ,

fa l se a ttitude s o f tho ught i n cludi n g form a li stic ,

ide a li sm di sc a rded a ltogether the belief th a t

,
“ “
so vereig n o f the world
” ”
Re a so n is He de .
 G
HE ELIANIS M AN D A TER F 12 7

t ec te d the b as a —
ic f ll a c y o f the sta n dpoi n t t h e
s ub s tituti o n o f b a r e l o gic a l c o n cept s dive st e d o f ,

empiric a l eleme n t s for the livi n g c o n crete re a lity

,
”
,

whi ch experie n c e re ve a l s An d i n h i s hyp o the si s .

“
of the Immem ori a l Bei n g p sychic a l but ”
a , ,

a l ogic a l p o wer i s e n thr oned a s the Ultim a te

,

Gr ou n d .

Am on g rece n t a ttempt s i nfl uen ced by Hegel t o , ,

m a i n ta i n a n a b soluti st ide a li sm whi ch do e s n ot o u s t

’
Re a son utterly fro m Ultim a t e Re a lity Bra dley s B , r a dley wi n
Appe a r a n ce a n d Re a lity t a ke s perh a p s t h e , ,

fir s t pla ce S en tien t experien ce i s Rea lity

.
m .
”
a te 12 9 2 1115“

Tr uth i s the predic a ti o n o f such c on te n t a s whe n

pre di c a ted i s h a rmoni o u s a n d rem ove s i n c on si st
e n cy a n d with it u n r e st But he a dd s th a t Truth
.
”
,

a s merely r a ti on a l n ever c a n a tt a i n thi s c o here n ce

,

a n d re s t Th e Other which c o n di ti o n s i t s b e i n g
.
, ,

i s n ot a b so rbed Truth i s n ot ultim a te —for Hegel

.
,

Truth a n d the Ab solute a r e s yn o n ym o u s — but ,

s t a n d s reve a led a s c o n tr a dictory S h o w Ultim a te .

Re a lity i s the Ab solute i e a spiritu a l wh ole i n to , . .

whi ch a ll a ppe a r a n ce s r a ti on a l th ought i n cluded

, ,

melt ha rmo ni ou sly .

To upp o se a tota lity o f thi s ki n d which ha s

s ,

Truth o r r a ti on a l th o ught o nl y a s a n a spect i s t o ,

,

a b a n d o n Heg eli a n i s m o utright It i s n ot e n ough t o .

s a lt Rea lity with a fe w c a teg orie s the der i va ,

ti on o f whi ch i s n o t e ve n a ttempted Thi s i s t o f a ll .

b a ck a st ep on K a n ti s m The di a lectic va ni shes .

the self su ffic i e n t self m ovi ng s elf provi n g n o ti o n

-
,
-
,
-

h a s t o di sa ppe a r An d the s piritu a l b a ckgro u n d

.
,

o ver a g a i n s t which sh o ws ra ti o n a l tho ught a n d ,

which po sse sse s it wo uld seem the i mmedia cy of

, ,
 THE WORLD AS IM A GIN ATION
feeli n g, r a ises di ffi cul tie s whi ch s ugge s t th a t Re a so n

ret a i n s i t s h on o ur s more for the sa ke o f a ul d l a n g

s yn e th a n bec a u s e i t s presen t imp ort a n ce i s ra ted
a s c o smic .

We h a ve n ow s urveyed some repres en ta tive hyp o

the se s a s t o the Gr o u n d or Groun ds i n a wa y which
h a s s erved I tru st t o me di a te very u sefully a c on
, ,

s ider a ti o n o f o u r o wn In experime n ti ng with yet

.

a n other hyp othesi s we s h a ll profit by frequen t

cro ss refere n ces t o fa vour a ble or a dver se m o der n
-

tho ught In this m a nn er we s h a ll t a ke a ccou n t o f

.

importa n t ph a se s o f recen t specul a ti o n with which ,

so fa r there h a s bee n n o c a ll t o de a l
, .
 THE WORLD AS IM A INATIO N G
We a r e t o reg a rd the n the I D EA a s the Object
2 .
, ,

o f phil o so phy But we a r e to i n terpret thi s I D EA

.

a s n ot n o ti o n a l but im a gi n a l We S ha ll spe a k o f
, .

Th e Cosmi c it a cc ordi n gly a s the Im a gi n a l Gro u n d or Co smic

, ,
Ima gi n a ti on
Im a gi n a ti o n An d n o te th a t our bus i n e ss i s n ot
.

’
s o very u n like Hegel s We get a t the Im a gi n a l .

Gro u n d it i s true by wa y o f hyp othe si s whi ch mu st

, ,

be ver ifi ed by re a lity beyo n d it self a pro cedure quite

foreig n t o the Hegeli a n di a lectic which pro fe ssed
t o pr ov e i tself But a s reg a rd s Na ture a n d se n tie n t
.
,

life we h a ve a v eri fic a t io n probl e m which Hegel

,
-

a l so n otwith st a n di n g the the o retic a l a l o o f n e ss o f

,

di a lectic h a d t o fa c e It will be remembered th a t

,
.

Hegel sp o ke o f Na ture a n d Hi sto ry a s a pplied

lo gic a n d urged th a t the m o me n t s of the No ti o n

,

a r e t o be f o u n d i n the s e s phere s i n n ovel form s .

An d i n pr a ctice he did n o t di s da i n t o supp o rt hi s

, ,

di a lectic by p oi n ti n g o u t where the se m o me n t s of

the N oti o n s ho wed i n the phe n o me n l time order
a - .

Th a t he c o uld n ot a lwa y s detect the s e m o me n t s i n

their logic a l c o nn exi on a n d i n a cc o u n ti n g for h i s , ,
”
fa ilure m a de a ppe a l t o co n ti n ge n cy the ba c
, ,

ch a n tie ri o t o f Na ture e tc wa s h i s mi sfortun e , .

, .

Th e p o i n t o n which I a m i n si stin g i s tha t he did

, ,

n o t a n d c o ul d n o t m a i n t a i n a self pr ovi ng di a lectic

, ,
-

i n the reg a rd o f Na ture a n d Hi st ory ; th a t he did

seek t o verify a spect s a t a n y ra te of the di a lectic , ,

by goi n g t o Na ture a n d Hi story a n d c o n te n di n g

th a t much i n the se sphere s illu stra te s the work o f
lo gic a l tho ught .

3 . No w w e , of
c o ur se ha ve to go t o experie n ce , ,

a n d i n deed to thi n k a n d t a lk a lwa ys with p os sible

, ,

e xperie n ce i n view Verific a ti on mu st be sought by .

u s wh olly i n experie n ce We n ote th a t eve n Hegel .

 Y
H P OTHESIS OF THE COSM IC M AGIN ATION
I 13 1

tried t o detect l ogic a l form s a s di sgui sed i n the

time order We h a ve t o a ttem pt much the sa me
-
.

thi n g i n the reg a rd o f im a gi n a ti o n Fortu n a tely .

we h a ve a much e a si e r j o b th a n h i s i n o n e re spect .

We sh a ll ha ve n o di ffi culty i n n oti n g im a gi n a l f orm s

i n Na tur e where i n deed they a pp e a r a lm os t n a ked
, , ,

a n d u n a sh a med Perceived Na tur e i s a

. stuff ,

s uch a s dre a m s a n d priv a te im a gi n ed w o rlds a r e

m a de o f a n d on e h a s n o i n tolera ble ta sk i n m a ki n g
,

thi s cle a r Th e dom a i n of t h e i n di vidu a l will pr e

.

s e n t o ur m a i n di fficultie s but seri o u s o n e s o nl y i n

,

tha t qua rt er which i s o ccupied by c o n c e ptua l

th ought We h a ve t o sh o w th a t c o n cept s a n d
.

judgme n ts a r e form s o f ima gi n i n g I thi n k th a t we .

s h a ll be s ucce ssful i n o ur que s t Thi s succe ss will .

c on stitute verific a ti o n .

In fin e the I D EA viewed a s logic a l a n d the I D EA

,

Viewed a s ima gi n a l mu st equ a lly be so ught for i n

the ir a lleged di sgui s e s or tr a n sform a ti ons i n
Na ture a nd Hi story We a re a ttempti n g here .

n o thi n g which H e gel did n o t strive t o do But we .

a re wo rki n g i n a n a dve n ture which o n the f a ce o f ,

it promi se s t o prosper better th a n h i s You c a nn o t

, .

s queez e N a ture o u t o f t h e de sicc a ted a b str a ct n oti o n s

o f l ogic . But belief i n a truly concr ete I D EA whos e

ima gi ni n g t a ke s for m a s Na ture tha t i s e a sily
—
gr a sped a n d u n der st a n da ble by a ll Ag a i n yo u .
,

c a n n o t s queeze a rt ho wever yo u try ou t o f a sterile

, ,

logic a l Gro u n d You c a n n ot get thi s ki nd o f

.

im a gi n a ti o n or i n deed a n y n o velty of im a gi n a ti o n
, ,

o u t o f c on c e ptu a l re a son On t h e o ther h a n d yo u

”
.
,

c a n m a ke a n a t a n r a te very pl a u s ible a ttempt t o

y , ,

S h o w h o w im a gi n a ti o n bec o me s tra n sf o rmed i n the ,

time order i n to
-
,
re a so n O ur p ositi on i n de e d
.
”
, ,
 THE W OR L D AS IM A GINATION
is j u s t thi s Rea son i n g a n d i t s sta tic precipita te
,

o r Re a son a r e a p o rti o n o f the f o rm s t a ke n by the

Co smic Im a gi n a ti on in the ti me -pro cess .

4 . Th e L
gic a l I D EA i s Ultim a te Re a lity i n ter
o

p r e t e d o n the a n a l o gy o f a b s tr a ct re a s o n — w e h a ve
’
s ee n th a t de s pite di s cl a imer s Hegel s a dve n ture n u
, , ,

do ubtedly c o me s to thi s The C OS M IC IMA GI NATION

, .

i s Ultim a te Re a lity i n terpreted o n the a n a l o gy o f

wh a t exi st s a n d wh a t i s do n e n ot wh e n we rea so n ,

a b str a ctly but wh e n we im a gi n e

,
Fo r u S TH OU GHT .

A S IM AG IN AL i s the b a sic re a lity which t a ke s o n

di sgui se s in the time order a m on g

-
th ose
di sgui se s bei n g the s elf sa me o verr a ted r a ti on a l
-
,

a s pect s of experie n ce which Hegel exa lted i n to

Go dhe a d Thought i n the n a rrower sen se o f the
.

term th o ught i n the fo rm of c o n ceptua l re a so n i s

, , ,

a s Berg so n o r S ch o pe n h a u e r wo uld s a y o nl y o n e o f ,

t he dep osit s of the evoluti o n a ry life pr o ce ss -

.
”

Un fortu n a tely Berg so n h a s mi ssed the illumi n a tive

c on cept of the C osmic Im a gi n a ti on a n d h i s L ife ,

rem a i n s a cc ordi n gly a va gue

, , s upr a c o n s ci o u s -

p o wer which i s t o o i n determi n a te t o come i n to cle a r

philo sophic a l view .

5 . will o b serve i n cide n ta lly h ow we a r e

Yo u , ,

m o vi n g m ore a n d m ore t o wa rd the ki n d of c o n crete

world vi e w wa n ted by the u n so phi stic a ted m a n
-
.

Th e fo ll o wer o f Pl a t o o r Hegel t oo o fte n a ct s on

the supp o siti on th a t tho ught u n der the a spect o f
feeli n g percepti on a n d im a gi n a ti on i s not i n i ts
, ,

own p r op er form a n d th a t ge n e r a li s ed im a ge s o r
,

pictori a l repre sen t a ti o n mu st be tra n sce n ded i n ,

o rder th a t he ma y re a ch a dequ a te n oti o n s .

”

Hegel a dduce s a s the c a u se why philoso phy i s voted

 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION
-
woul d fin d thus i n rich p i ctor ia l pre se n ta tio n the
p a rtly reve a led Co smic Ima gi n a tio n it self Why .
,

m a n o f the study hide yo ur he a d o s trich like i n

, ,
-
,

the a rid s a n d o f c on cept s when with eye s o pen

a like t o rel ti n d term s — u n per
a on s a y o c a

c ei v e the prim a ry re a lity w a n ted i n i t s n oo n tide

gl ory ? Th e wo rld o f ide a s ( i e c o n cept s ) . .

,

“
wrote Geulin x i s like a dry tre a ti se ; the wo rld
,

o f sen se a p o em o f f a n cy Exa ctly No w

”
. .

re a lity a s we s h a ll di scu ss it i s n ot t o be i n terred

, ,

i n the grey cemetery o f l ogic n or eve n hi dde n i n

the mi st s o f a va guely tho ught pri n ciple o f Life 1
.
”

It i s t o rem a i n a p o em of f a n cy Were I a ble I .

”
,

o ught t o immer s e my s elf wh o lly i n thi s p o em with ,

i n te n t t o p o ss e ss it i n t ui tively a n d immedi a tely

fro m a ce n tra l p o i n t o f view But I c a nn o t The . .

“
dr y tre a ti se the c on ceptua l m a ke shift o f t hi s
,

e s sa y i s the a ltern a tive I e n de a vour thereby to fil l

, .

a v o id a vo id due t o the n a rr o wn e ss a n d p a rti a lity

o f my di rect experie n ce I t a ke refuge i n the .

n o ti o n n o t bec a u s e I ve n er a te it
, but bec a u se ,

the defect s of my pre se n t p ositi o n i n the Uni verse

re n der it c on ve n ie n t .

Ima gi n a t i on 6 . Fun da me n t a lly the n the m a i n u se o f thi s

, ,
a n d e xpo si t i on
ki n d o f b o o k i s n ot to pro vide dry a dequ a te
.

n o ti o n s o f the Hegeli a n type but t o guide im a gi ,

n a ti o n . No thi n g sa ys Ra v a i sson i s di sti n ctly

,
” “
,

i n telligible t o u s sa ve wh a t we c a n picture i n im a gi
n a ti o n We mu st try i n thi s wa y to re a ch truth i s
.
”
,
. .

t o simula te a dequ a tely i n im a gi n a ti o n the o ther

pre se n t i n Cosmi c Ima gi n i n g An d we a r e n o t t o .

im a gi n e like the S choo lme n a loo f fro m experie n ce

, , ,

a s if a priva te im a gi n a l s ub s titute c o ul d be so meh o w

1
B rg
e son .
 Y
H P OTHESIS OF THE C OSMIC IMAGIN ATION 13 5

s uperi or to t h e re a lity for which it sta n ds ! We

mus t go t o experi e n c e where thi s i s p o ssibl e a n d
, ,

l o o k a t the im a gi n e d o the r it self No t e th a t i n .

,

so fa r a s a b o o k i n duce s the re a der t o l o o k a t cert a i n

a s p e ct s o f exp e ri e n ce it te a che s him (a fter priva te

,

im a gi ni n g ) t o per cei ve ra ther th a n t o thi n k a b stra ct

n o ti o ns It s gre a te s t p o s sible s ervice i s t o pro duce
.

wh a t Ca rlyl e c a ll s the ma n with a n eye the ma n ,

”

wh o l oo k s a t thi n g s i n the right a spect ; fo r o n ,

the wh ole it i s thi s ki n d o f ma n wh o m a tters mo st

, ,

a like i n the or e tic a l a n d pr a ctic a l life .

7 . Empirici st s do dmit th a t there is a n y H m i w

n ot a u e s v e

impen etra ble myste ry a b out the pro duct s a n d pr o 25112 2 8 1 12

0 1

ces se s i n o ur priva te live s which a re l a belled

Re a so n but even the a ll de stro yi n g Hume
,
-

( T r ea ti s e i 7 ) f
, o u n d h i
. s l e vity a rre sted by im a gi n a

ti on a ki n d o f m a gic a l f a cul ty i n the so ul which

tho ugh it be a lwa ys m o st perfe ct i n the gre a te st

ge niu se s a n d i s pr operly wh a t we c a ll a ge ni u s i s h o w
, , ,

ever i n explic a ble by the utmo st e ffort s o f hum a n

,

u n dersta n di n g But im a gi n a ti on i n the wider It i m r th

.
, s o e an

s e n se ,
—
i s m o re th a n thi s i t i s the p la sti c p sych i ca l
2
s tuff i n whi ch a ll h u ma n a cti v i ti es ( i n cludi n g thos e
3 31321
a rtific i a lly i sola ted a s
“
.

f a cu lti es h a v e t h ei r b ei ng .

We s ha ll ma ke goo d thi s p oi n t gra dua lly a s we

pro ceed fro m the st ory o f Na ture i n to tha t o f i n di
vidua l life Note i n cide n ta lly tha t ima gi n a tio n
.
, ,

i s pre se n t eve n i n my percepti o n of yo u l a n dsc a pe .

( ) Thu s it i s by im a gi n a l a mplific a ti on or s upple

1
me n ta ti o n th a t a mo me n ta ry c o ns ci ou sn e ss of
colou r spa ce bec o me s for me a la ndsca p e ( i n a n
, ,

o utw or n p sychol ogic a l l a n gua ge we t a lk o f a n

“
a s so ci a ti on o f ide a s i n thi s reg a rd tho ugh i n , ,

truth there a r e n o u ni t ide a s to be a sso ci a ted

,
-
 THE W OR L D AS IMAG INATION
and ( )
2 the o rigi n a l c o l o ur s a n d their order a re th e m
s e lve s im a gi n a l They a r e n ot o f cour s e a lt ogeth e r
.
, ,

due t o my im a gi ni n g I will t o h a ve them a n d I .

—
re a li se my e n d th a t i s Obvious Wh a t I get h o w .
,

e ver i n the re s ult i s a glimp se o f the Co s mic Im a gi n a

,

ti o n a s medi a ted by bra i n thi s a rbitr a ry im a gi n a l

i n tru si on i n to my circle o f experie n ce bei ng it self
i ma gi n a ll y a pperceived as it c o me s But I .

mu st n ot a n ticip a te .

8 .Befo re s t a ti n g fully the hyp o the si s Of the

Co s mic Im a gi n a ti o n ( whi ch he n cefo rth I sh a ll
de sig n a te o rdi n a rily by the letter s I will cite a
critici sm fro m Mr Bra dley be a ri n g on my o rigi n a l
a rticle on the s ubj ect i n M i nd He wrote t o .

me thu s re specti ng the rid dl e of the Gr o u n d o f

phen omen a
Wh a t i s I presume wa n ted i s so met hi n g whi ch
, ,

i s a t o n ce th o ught a n d se n s e a n d will a n d feeli n g

, ,

a n d f a n cy I do n ot se e h ow Im a gi na ti on c a n be
.

t a ke n a s th a t Im a gi n a tio n i s n o t To t a l Exp eri

.

e n ce a n d I s ho uld sa y i s certa i nly the oretic a l We

, , , .

wa n t m o re th a n th a t .

Thi s , ofc o ur se is a dem a n d which i s n o t met by

,

an n f the gre t ide a li stic sy stem s o f Hi s tory

y o e o a .

But it is i n my o pi n io n a very pro per a n d i n deed

,
~
, , ,

n ece ssa ry dem a n d An d it c a n I ve n ture to sa y

.
, ,

be met completely Th e Co smic Ima gi na ti on .

—
both th o ught a n d se n se i t c on ta i n s the sen sible
va riety n a ti v e to i ma gi na ti on which h a s a lwa y s

puzzled the f o llo wers of the l ogic a l tra di ti o n fr om

Pl a to t o Hegel it i s a l so a s we S h a ll see s hortly , ,

i n on e a spect will a n d m os t a ss ure dl y it i n clude s

, , , ,

feeli n g a n d fa n cy Ag a i n it i s n ot merely the oretic a l

.
, ,
 rea lity a ll is dete rmi ned : them is no ro om for t he

n ove lty Is there ta lk of a di a lec ti ca l o r o t her

.

“
mo v ement ? This too sa v e for th e fin ite
”
, ,

se n t i e n t ca nn o t be i n ti me
, It re mai ns howe v er .
, ,

to ac co un t for the phe n ome na l time -order w hic h

se ems to give th e lie to th es e st a tem e n t s Thi s .

order is rega rded by Absol utis m a s more o r less

”
un tr ue be ca use co n tra dicto ry or ag a i n it is , , ,

da m ne d o utrig ht a n d wi th o ut a p pea l a cc ordi ng to ,

a n I ndi an ve rbal dodg e a s

“
illusio n ( Ma ya ) The, .

o n e an d o nly e xi ste n t a bo v e co n t ra dic ti o n is the

Absol ute Expe ri e nce .

10 . You ge t t h us bo v e t he
the One Rea li ty a

Bu t you co nfm n t al so a di th
”
a p pea ra n ce s .
, ,

c ul t y li ke th a t whi ch d es troyed the One S ub s ta n ce

o f S pi no z a : In eu ludi ng a p p ear a n ces from the

b li
e eve r i n the Absol ute yo u crea te a rema i nde r An d this re
,
.

mai nder be i ng ce rta i n ly rea l i n so me fas hio n o r

,

other is its el f t he p roof tha t the al leged Abso lute is

,

i n co mplete ! But per ha ps you will a tte mpt to

, ,

e va de thi s di ffi culty Ta ke the ca se o f Er ro r w hich

.
,

as s hee r un tru th a n d c o n tra dic tio n can n ot po ss ibly ,

belo ng to th e Abso lute Ho w are you goi n g to .

dea l wi t h it ? Yo u mus t either a cc ept Error as a

o i t i v e r li ty a lo ng side o f t he a lleged Abso lute o r
p s ea

y o u mu s t fo m e it i nto the Abs olute i n al te red fo rm .

You ha ve to fo rce i t i n Erro r is t ruth as i t ste ps

.
1

tra ns muted i n to the Abso lute tha t is the soluti o n

y o u f a vo u r But
. eve n thi s heroic devi ce will n ot

sa ve yo u fr om yo ur pe rp lexiti e s .

195
.
a ll—n et they, but W M difiererd is a ru
gkt up

poss essi o ns j ud at ave t he m, ca nnot be sa i d to

con ta i n t he m a t a lL The fill ing of my na rro w lif e
rema ins so meho w o utsi de its circle ; th n s moti on ,

a re afl v ery in sie tent for me bu t th ey ha v e no p laee

i n t he Abso hxte , or , a t lea st , t hey et xter into i t in

or wh olly s up presse d . My poi nt of vi ew si mply

It is a nd her cen t re o f ex pefi en ee whic h feels co me nt

in a wa y i nconcei v a ble by me ; i t is a g od wi th his
uni qu e, but M pr i vat e a mt p a r t ic ula r , po i n t o f vi e w .

In ot ha
'
WOt ds , t hi s Abso lute is not a n
aI
leged —

Abs ol u te a t a ll so fa r from bein g eomple te perfec t , ,

a nd fin i she d, i t e xc lnd es fro m it eelf th e a n

pp e a r a ce s

m
ha rmo ni s g Absolnte mnst be posi M a nd so on .
”
1

‘
Indi vid wt a a d Ra tify p 5 l PmL A fl Ta ylot
, . . ' rita ,

q l wfl m m W :
“
We must be a t eful not to
th at
‘
men t me
‘
’
suppos e our env i ron , as it a ppa r s to an expen e

whi ch a ppt ehefi s u as fi ra fly i s a mfl e replia on m e dn p l m fion

ot th e wa y i n wh ic h i t a pp m Very g ood But in thi s
”
to n s . .
 THE WOR LD AS IMA INATION G
11 . All
ttempt s t o belittle a ppea r a n ce s a re
a

u n so u n d App e a r a n ce s
. a re i n truth o ur o nl y , ,

a s s ured a ss et s— the re a litie s which we perceive a n d

the term s i n which we wi ll feel a n d thi nk ; term s , ,

which we kn o w thr ough a n d thro ugh They a r e self .

a tte sti n g It i s o nl y by bec o mi n g a n a ppea ra n c e

.

tha t a n ythi n g c a n n o tify its exi ste n ce t o me a t a ll .

Eve n the hyp o thetic a l Ab solute c ould onl y pre s e n t

it self t o me thr o ugh a ppe a r a n ce s tre a ted a s if it
lurked behi n d a ppe a ra n ce s lit wo ul d rem a i n o f little ,
”

a ccou n t I do n ot wa n t a high a n d dry c on ceptua l

.

crea ti on with which eve n a fter writi n g a tre a ti se , ,

I c a n n ever be s ure tha t the Un iver se c o rrespo n ds .

There i s o nl y o n e t olera ble wa y of a ssa ili n g

12 .

a ppe a r a n ce s— the o n e a d o pted by Br a dl ey Thi s .

c on si st s i n urgi n g th a t they a r e c on tr a dicto ry

a n d theref o re u n re a l i n va ri o u s degree s
, , Critici sm .

mu st be a r o n the u n due imp ort a n ce a scribed to t h e

( so —
c a lled ) la w o f c on tr a dicti o n which o f v a lue to , ,

the form a l logic of mere co n si ste n cy sa lli e s forth ,

l
with prep o ster o us prete n si o n s i n to meta physic a
We a r e to c o n sider thi s que sti on of c o n tra dicti o n
i n a speci a l s ecti o n .

13 Fr o m a s e n time n t a l p oi n t o f view Absoluti sm

.

i s a h a rd do ctri n e It s fro zen re a lity h a s to i n cl ude

.

t o o much tha t o ught n ot t o be— a g t h e a g o n ie s of .

tortured victim s the s qua lor a n d a bomi n a ti on s of,

terre stri a l life a n d the whole grim Ca lva ry a s Hegel

, ,

c a ll s it of Hi story It c a n n o t p o sse ss a ll this

, .

“
tr a n smuted for i n this c a se it wo ul d p osse ss
,

so methi n g e l s e No w a n Ab solute c o n dem n ed to

.

1
Cf . Indi vidua l a nd Rea li ty, pp . 53 —62 , A pp rea a n ce a nd

Con t r di ti
a c on .
”
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
To embra ce M im is
ver empha si se the
on s to o -

i den tifyi n g or a s s i mi la ti n g a s c o n tr a s ted with the ,

di scr i mi na ti n g side o f k n o wledge

, An d thi s a ffir .

“
m a ti on i s f a ted t o be n eg a ted If yo u sa y a ll .
”

i s On e yo u ha ve to obser v e soo n er or l a ter th a t it

,

i s a l so Ma n y ; t hi s i s n o di a lectic a l re sult i n the

Heg eli a n s e n se but flo ws p sychol o gic a lly fro m the
, , ,

fa ct tha t whe n yo u a re bored with o n e a spect of

,

re a lity yo ur a tten ti on shift s for refre shmen t t o the

,

o ther a s pect s whi ch h a ve bee n ig n o red On the .

o ther h a n d t o embr a ce Plur a li s m i s to rec o g n i se the

,

imp o rta n ce o f the Ma n y the Ma n y i s a fa r more

va lua ble pri n ciple tha n t h e On e but a l so t o , ,

ig n ore their c o n ti n uity which c o n ti n uity we sha ll

,

gra sp better a fter we ha ve di scu ssed Co n sol o n s

n e ss.

15 . Th e i n clude s n o n oti on s sa ve i n so ,

fa r a s it i n clude s fin ite s e n tie n t s wh o u se the s e .

Th a t which i n im a gi ni n g cre a te s h a s re a lity pre s e n t

, ,

t o it a n d h a s n o n eed o f the co n ceptu a l m a ke shift s

o r s ub stitute f a ct s which we h a ve t o empl o y If I
-
.

could a wa re the S t a te i n the f ul n e ss o f imme

di a te pre sen ce with a ll i t s c o mplic a ted hum a n
,

a ctivitie s experie n ced c on cretely t ogether I s ho uld ,

n ot n eed a c o n cept ( u s u a lly a very a b str a ct m a ke

“
s hift ) a b o ut it ; a n d if I c oul d further a wa re
”
, ,

o ther S t a te s i n the sa me wa y I sh o uld kn o w a l so ,

wh a t i s common t o S t a te s n ot by wa y o f c o n cept , ,

but by immedi a te percepti o n of the c o mm on a spect

i n the f a ct s Co n cept s a r e sur rog a te s fo r rea lity
.

which i s better pre se n ted fro m the c o n templ a tive ,

poi n t of view i n immedi a te feeli n g But we h a ve

,
.
,

a l so, t o u se co n cept s a s sub s titute s for rea lity ,

1
Dr F . C . S S chiller
.
, Ri ddles o
f the S phi nx .
 Y
H P OTHESIS OF THE COSMIC IMAGIN ATION 14 3

bec a use sometime s the re a lity they mea n d o e s

no t eve n exi s t Thi s a s we sa w i s the c a se o f the
.
, ,

Co mma n d Con c ept Here the rea lity i n t e n ded or

- .

mea n t i s ordered t o exi st a n d it i s feig n ed th a t ,

the order ha s bee n o beyed We hum a n s h owever Wh th .

, ,
”

en e

h a ve n ot the p o wer o f the Co smic Fa n cy who se 123 3 21? 5 t 11 C

im a gi n a l a ct i s the fa ct An d wh e n we fra me .
,

e g
. . certa i n m a thema tic a l c o n cept s the c on cept of
, ,

of
” ”
the Ab solute of ma tter ,
e n ergy etc , , .
,

very freque n tly i n deed there i s little behi n d the , ,

co n cept but our o rder Th e Co smic Im a gi n a ti on .

,

won drou sly fecu n d a n d pl a stic h a s n o p oss i ble ,

exter n a l op p os i ti on t o s urm o u n t We se n tie n t s a r e .

h eirs i n deed o f thi s Po wer but we a r e o pp o sed

, , ,

there a re o verridi n g c o smic rea litie s th a t defea t o ur

wi ll s We revel freely i n fa n cy ma thema tic a l a n d
.
,

o ther i n o ur priva te live s

,
But there a r e limit s to .

im a gi n a l a n a rchy O ur i n te n ti on s t o cre a te rem a i n

.

o fte n sterile O b serve th a t we ca n o nly imp ose

.
“

o ur wi ll o n N a tur e by the s ubterfuge o f a lteri n g

the p ositi on s o f t hi n g s When we try t o c on trol .

Na tur e we m ove thi n g s a n d wa tch results Mere

, .

im a gi ni n g o n o ur p a rt elicit s n o fa vour a ble re sp ons e 1

.

16 . Th e
cre a tive im a gi ni n g o f the C I i ssue s .
,

ho w we s h a ll tra ce a n o n i n Na ture a n d c o n s ci o u s ,

i n di vidua l s It i s c on ti n ued a t a di sta n ce a n d o n

.
,

a n imme a s ur a bly l o wer level by o ur o wn im a gi n i n g ,

whe n we crea te a p oem a sympho n y a pl a n o f , ,

reform a n empire a religi on a scie n tific theo ry a n

, , , ,

i n du stri a l i n strume n t et c The CI im a gi n e s a n d , .

,

the fa ct i s so It i s c on diti o n ed n ot fro m t h e

.
,

o ut side but o nl y by it s o wn prior im a gi ni n g

, .

1
I a m r f rri g t
e e n o Na tur e as we k w it thi l
no on s ev el o f the
ph y i s ca l o rd r Th
e . e c a u ti o n is, p rh p i mp rt t
e a s, o an .
 THE W OR L D AS IMAG INATION

O ur cre tive im a gi n i n g on the co n tra ry flowers o n

a , ,

a s tem o f a cqui siti o n o r experie n ce st a rt s from wh a t ,

h a s bee n thr u st up o n u s from the out side a n d c a n n ot ,

a lwa y s i ss ue i n wh a t we de s ire At the sa me time .

we o ught n ot to forget tha t the p oem the sympho n y , ,

the p olitic a l reform etc a r e cre a ti on s m o re re a l

,
.
,

—
th a n m a n y of the so lid seemi n g f a ct s which a r e
thru st upo n se n se They a r e m o re re a l for i n sta n ce
.
, ,

tha n tree s a n d s to n es i n tha t they o ccupy a n d i h

fl u en c e l a rger a n d m ore imp orta n t a re a s of the
Uni verse Th e Ili a d i s m ore re a l a n d will eve n l a st
.
,

lo n ger tha n the Ma tterh or n An d it i s a true

,
.

cre a ti on n otwith sta n di n g the fa ct th a t i t s a uth o r s

,

le a rn t first from experie n ce i e fr o m the Co smic , . .

Ima gi ni n g withi n which their petty im a gi n a ti ons

h a d their bei n g .

§ 17 . Tur n t o b s N
erve its
a cture
o mplex con
, o

te n t a n d you will fin d ju st s uch a cre a tio n a s

,

Co smic Im a gi n a ti o n wo uld o wn Na ture i s litera lly .

“
G eul i n x s p o em o f fa n cy
’
a poem porti o n s o f

which yo u a ssimil a te i n yo ur o wn priva te im a gi n a l

life Yo ur repro ductive im a gi n a ti on i n deed duly
.
, ,

qui cke n e d a n d exp a n ded c o uld t a ke up a n d ,

a b sorb every a s pect o f s e n sible Na ture There i s .

n othi n g p r esen t in a ny doma i n whi ch you p er

cei v e n or ma lly whi ch cou ld n ot be du p li ca ted i n a

merely s oli p s i sti c drea mc a ll t o s up

. There i s no

p ose th a t a n yt hi n g sa ve im a gi n a ti on f orm s the

, ,

“
e sse n ce of the a ppe a ra n ce s th a t floa t before
s en se .

Si n ce our world pri n ciple i s fully c on crete pos

- —
s e s si n g s e n sible v a riety a s well a s i t s o rder s— is
i n defi ni tely pla stic a nd m a n ife st s ,
in virtue of its
 THE WORLD As IMAG IN ATION

comm on folk . But a va gue co nsci o usn e ss of the

CI . .

Wh ose d w lli g i
e n s th e light of sett ng su ns i
An d t he r d
oun o cea n a n d l
t he i v i n g a ir ,
”

mu st rou se a n y so ul t o fervour a n d this soul will ,

expre ss its elf i n speech or litera ture however un ,

equipped it ma y be i n tellectua lly for the t a sk

, , .

There ma y re s ult a buttre ssi n g of the religi on of

the mystic s yo uth ; so me crude world the ory ma y
’
-

s eem c a ught up i n to gl o ry Thi s i s a lm o st i n e v i t

.

a ble si n ce the vi si o n will quicke n the previou sly

,

sta g n a n t filli ng of a n e n tire life Th e R o m a n Ca tholic .

mystic still cli n gs t o hi s creed ; the S ufi rema i ns a

Moh a mmeda n a glo w with fa ith
, .

Mystic s as a be re spected n o t for wh a t

rule a re to ,

they sa y a n d ho w they sa y it ( here li es di sillu si o n

me n t for the i n quirer ) but for their stre n uo us ,

sugge sti on to u s tha t there i s so me tr uly sa ti sf a cto ry

Gr o un d yet t o be de scried They a r e sig n -p ost s i n .
,

them selve s rickety a n d of little worth which p oi n t ,

to the directi on o f the gre a t que s t .

When philo so pher s h a ve the va gue c on sci o us

”
n e ss , they a l so so metimes torture it i n to so me
, ,

thi n g which they wa n t for their s ys tems S chelli ng .

did this whe n he fra med the I n di ff eren ce Ab solute -

out of a n a lleged i n tui ti o n S pen cer a lso whe n .

, , ,

”
o ut of a n i n defin ite c on sci o u sn e ss pre sum a bly ,

o f s omethi ng he el a b or a ted a Po wer o f which we

,

a r e sa id to k n ow noth i n g It is to be n o ticed h o w
.
,

e ver th a t h i s Unkn owa ble become s slowly reve a led

,
.

There i s a c osmic pre ssure i n the se m a tters which

o verride s the be s t i n te n ti o n s .
 HY P OTHES IS OF THE CO SM IC IM AG IN ATIO N 14 7

O ce m re we
n tha t evide n ce fo r a p a rticul a r Illumi i m
o s ee n s

type o f Gro u n d whether for on e of the r1v a 1 Abso ffi i e t p

18 n e v er 8
, su c n su .

lut e s for the Unkn o wa ble for a person a l Go d for

, , ,

o u r o wn o r a plura li stic o n to l o gy mu s t n ever c o si t

n s p h fl w ph r
,
o

“
s o lely of a lleg e d illumi ni sm a va gue c o n sci o usn e ss ,

a n d the lik e Hum a n bei ng s a t the be st do n o t

.
, ,

i n tuite enough t o serve the purpo se s of phil o so phy .

Yo u a r e va guely a wa re i n the mystic s o r S pe n cer s

’ ’

o r Wo rd s wo rth s wa y o f a Pre se n ce but yo u a re

’

, ,

a pt t o ide n tify t hi s Pre se n ce with wh a t you wa n t ,

be it S pe n cer s Un kn o wa ble a c o mmu n ity o f plur a l

’

mo n a ds o r All a h An d of c our se m e rely to sa y

, .
, ,

o n e o r t wo thi n g s a b o ut a Gr o u n d wi t h the dre a dful ,

itera ti on n oticed i n certa i n qu a rt ers o f p op ul a r

mystic a l li tera ture i s n ot to philo sophi se ,
A .

s ys t e m which pro mi se s to i n clude a ll k n o wledge i s

, ,

r e qui site Thi s system mu st s ta rt fro m hyp othe si s

.

which i s no t yet a pri n ciple o f truth Th e hyp o .

thesis ma y be sugge sted by illu mi ni sm but it mu s t ,

be a pplied t o a n d te sted by experien ce in very

, ,

m a n y fields before we c a n sa y th a t it i s truth a n d

,

n ot a n experime n t .

§ 19 Th e C I i s a me which derscri bes the Gro un d Wh y th e

‘

. . . na

as ak n i to the most closely r esembli n g ph a se o f

hum a n m en ta lity An d like hum a n im a gi ni n g .
, ,
8°

this Co smic Im a gi ni n g i s c on ceived a s sa tur a ted

with e m oti on thr ougho ut Eve n Bra dl ey it will .
,

be remembered ha s n ot stripped hi s , Ab solut e

Experi e n ce o f em o ti o n ; h e c o n te n d s i n fa ct
”
, ,

th a t it i s o n the b a l a n ce h a ppy An d a ssur e dly Th e x i “

, , .
, ,
e . s
m
.

we c a n n o t dive st the Ima gi na l Gro u n d o f a n a ffective 2?

side Th e C I i s n ot i n deed a p a rticul a r Per so n
. .
“e n se , ,
'
”

a n i n sul a ted s e n tie n t god wh o rej o ice s a n d suffer s

a s we do i n the time proce ss but it i s n o t for th a t -

,
 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION
to be p a i n te d i n grey It i s imme a sur a bly a bove .
,

n o t bel o w the c o n s ci o u s level a t whi ch we live

, .

An d a n excelle n ce such a s perfect emoti on a l bei n g , ,

c a nn o t be de ni ed it We h a ve yet h o wever to .
, ,

di scu ss i t s gre a t a s pect s the con serva ti ve a n d the ,

cr ea ti ve a nd un til we h a ve don e so we c a n n ot
, , ,

m a ke it cle a r h o w we suppo se thi s excelle n ce to be

a t o n ce s u sta i ned a nd r ea li s ed .

Ple a sure s a n d p a i n s a re c a lled so mewhere by Ka n t ,

if we a re n ot mi st a ke n v i ta l feeli n g s In co nn ecti on , .

’
with c ons ci o u s life a s a llied with biol ogi st s o rga n ,

i sms plea sure goe s a lon g with

, a n i ncr ea se a n d

s t a tes o f p a i n with a n a ba temen t o f s ome o r a ll o f the

”
vit a l fu n cti on s 1
Ple a sure m a rk s free or furthered
.

vita l a ctivity p a i n u n re solved c on flicts the thwa rt , ,

i n g or hi n dr a n ce o f life Ari st o tle sa ys th a t ple a sure .

a cc o mp a n ie s the free r ea li sa ti on o r u n i mp eded

a cti vi ty o f a p o wer n a tur a l o r a c quired a n d the ,

clue thu s o bt a i n ed i n the reg a rd of embodied se n

t i en t s of type s with whi ch we a r e f a mi li a r c a n be
, ,

foll o wed i n to a ctivity o f c o smic re a ch Th e .

free i n fin ite a ctivity of the CI implie s a n a lli ed .

em o ti on a l side though of c our se we c o uld n ot , , ,

prete n d to di scus s thi s side except i n a ge n era l

wa y .

All the higher f orms of fini te se n tie nt life kn own

to us experie n ce we a re sure ple a sure s a n d
, ,

pa i n s ; we a r e sure further th a t c o n sci o u s life , , ,

1
( B ain ) Cf . a lso S p en cer , P r i nci p les o
f P sychology, i . 2 70 .

I q lifi ti bi l gi t
men ti on th e ua ca on o o s s
’
o rg i m p h y ian s s, a s s o

l gi l p y h l gy h
o ca sly t h crt o o as on es e so s f rg i m i
o o i w an s s n v e .

W h ll
e s l t r t h t rg i m
a se ei t i a e a o an s s ex s n a ll q r t r fN t r
ua e s o a u e,

as w ll i rg i
e ll dno rg an c s o -ca e as o a ni c .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION
Th e F r
of t h e
m i n its
e ed o o wn proper ch a ra cter remi n ds th a t it i s ,
us

a l so free Heg e l a ssert s th a t n ece ssity f o rm s p a rt

.

o f the e sse n ce o f Go d i s the I D E A co n ceived a s

,
. .

logic a l S chelli n g i n hi s l a ter revolt a g a i n st l ogic

.
, ,

c a st s a side thi s view a n d o n ce m ore reg a rd s the

world a s po sited by Fr e e do m We h a ve n o o pti o n . .

Freedo m i s n a tive t o a Po wer im a gi n a l i n ch a ra cter

—s p on t a n eity i s o f the e ssen ce o f the s upreme c on
s ci o u s life a s we c o n ceive it But thi s Freedom i s .

“
di ff ere n t fro m freedo m o f the will a s di s cu ssed
p opul a rly i n reg a rd t o hum a n vo lu n ta ry a cti o n s .

In the c a se o f the l a tter a n a cti o n s a id t o be free , ,

o ccur s a fter a c on fli ct o f m o tive s Th e n a tive .

freedo m o f the C I i s i n depe n de n t o f c on flict

.
,

which a s we sh a ll s ugge st begi n s o nl y with the

, ,

begi i gs o N ture It s a ct simply o ccur s is

n n n f a .
—
the expre ssi o n o f it s free ch a r a cter witho ut implyi n g
a n y i n ter n a l s trife There i s n o c a ll to s uppo se a
.

s empiter n a l s truggle wi th i n the An d there a re

n o a n t a g o n i si n g eleme n t s ou ts ide it which c a n mee t

o n its territ o ry for comb a t .

Th e C I cre a te s freely firstly bec a use it i n clude s

.
, ,

a ll it s c on diti o n s withi n it s elf a n d sec on dl y bec a use , , ,

it h a s n o n ecessa r i ly fi x ed or p r o orda i ned d i r ecti on s -

of cr ea ti on s uch a s a n ir o n di a lectic might be s u p

po sed t o e n f o rce It i s the pro per cha ra cter of

.

im a gi n a ti o n t o impro vi se I c a n feel so methi n g o f.

i t s s p o n t a n eity whe n I a wa re im a gi n a ti on a s it
beha ve s i n myself Cre a ti o n with i t s yield o f rich
.
,

n o vel c o n te n t i s pl a,y i n which a n ythi n g m a y o ccur .

An d it i s the utterly n o vel th a t h a s n ever da w n ed ,

on co n sci o u sn e ss before which m a rks im a gi n a l ,

s ucce ss a n d a t the s a me time c on f o u n d s S cho olme n

who put their trust i n logic .

 HYPOTH ES IS OF THE CO SMIC IM AGI N ATION 15 1

21 . We ha ve referred t o crea ti o n or evoluti on ;

a n d cre a ti o n implie s time succe ssio n S o methi n g - .

exi sts fir s t whereby l a ter s omet hi n g el se i s helped

i n to bei n g No w the Ab solute of tra diti on Euro
.
,

“
pe a n Greek a n d I n di a n i s a b o ve time
, , ,
Timeles s Th fi ti . e c on
t l ess
i s a ffirmed o f it i n l o fty l a n gu a ge a s if writer s ifi i
'

n e ss ne

were c onf erri n g a n h on our Time it i s sa id i s .

, ,

merely a ppea ra n ce which the part a ssume s wh en

a wa r e d i n a b s tra cti on fr o m the Wh o le ; th o ught trie s

t o e sc a pe fro m thi s a ppe a ra n ce a n d t o re a ch re a lity

a s it exi st s timele s sly i n the Ab so lute S uch a n .

Ab so lute o nl y seem s t o a cc ompli s h it self Hegel .

a ver s th a t the I D EA eter n a lly pro ceed s o ut of

it self a n d yet doe s n ot pro ce e d o u t o it self
,
f — it
“ ”
bri n g s t o i t s c o n sci ou sn e ss thro ugh a n o ther ,

which i s it self wha t i t i s i n i tself Thi s exclude s the

,
.

birth o f ge n ui n e n o velty i n a time succe ssio n th a t i s -

ge n ui n ely re a l .

We a re tre a ti n g timele ssn e ss a s a ficti o n a s ,

a mere Comm a n d Co n cept -

An d we a r e a ccepti n g
.

the rea lity of time successi o n a n d cha n ge ( The

-
.

co n tra dictori n e ss o f the se a s we sh a ll see m a tter s

, ,

n ot a t a ll T h C I i timele It ( ) e dure
.
) e s no t . s s 1 n s Th
t m
.

’
e
e
0 -1 . and

cha ngele ssly a s a n ev ép yet a dr a m a la c i n

'
’
v
-
i t s c on
.

s erv a t i v e a s p e ct a s the oce a n o f t h e i n fi n ite a nd ,

( 2 ) it ch a n ge s i n i t s cre a tive a spect Is it i n fin ite 2 .

Assuredl y a n d ju st bec a u se it i s i n fi n ite it c a n n ot

‘

, ,

be m a de fin ite by philo sopher s who woul d deprive

it of the p o wer to cre a te a n d t o sta tute a re a l succe s
si o n i n tim e ! It i s ima gi n a l a n d therefore it , , ,

c a n no t be limited a t a ll It ha s the spirit o f a .

b a ccha n tic go d It ma y m a ke or it ma y a b oli sh

.

time successi o n a t it s c a price a n d there is n on e t o

-

sa
y it n a y .
 THE WORLD AS IM AG INATION
An i mpo ta n t r It i s very impo rt a n t n ot t o c onf us e the sch ol a stic
ca uti on
ficti o n o f ti melessn ess with a sta te of bei n g i n
.

which there i s du ra ti on wi thou t cha n ge We sh a ll .

de a l with thi s p oi n t a n d with the b a sic sta n di n g o f

,

time succe ssi o n i n a l a ter s ecti o n

- 1
,
.

22 pro p os e t o di scuss sh ortly a va riety of

. I
a spects o f the hyp othe s i s o f t h e i n sep a r a te
s ecti o n s a n d h a vi n g completed thi s t a sk to s ugge st
, ,

h o w the C I a s the n m or e fully u n der s to o d p a sse s

. .
, ,

i n t o cre a ti o n a s Na ture But t o lighte n o ur .

,

l a b ours which a r e bec omi n g seri o u s I will gl a n ce

, ,

fir st a t s uch a cc o un t s o f the hi story of o ur m a i n

hypothe si s a s I h a ve been a ble to gle a n .

Thi s hi st ory a s , fa r as I kn ow it is
, a thi ng of
s hreds a n d p a tche s .

23 We st a rt from K o nig sberg a g a i n Ka n t

. .

c on tra st s the repr o ductive im a gi n a ti on worki n g ,

by a sso ci a ti o n with the pro ductive im a gi n a ti o n

,

whi ch schem a ti se s the pure c a teg o rie s o n u niver sa l

a n d n ece ssa ry li n e s Ka n t s p o n dero u s a n d cre a k ’
.

i n g m a chi n ery n eed n ot tro uble u s further But .

Fi ch t e
’
mov e pro ductive im a gi n a ti o n thu s ! l a u n ched on i ts
f
s
,
or war d .

a c a d e mic c a reer i s t a ke n up i n a n e w fo rm by
,

Fichte i n the i n tere st o f Idea li sm It i s for him the .

pre empiric a l a ctivity which produces obj ects the

-
,

s elf de termi ni n g
-
of the Ab solute Ego which
yields n ot o nl y the secret of the deriva ti on of the
,

c a teg orie s but a l so the se n sa ti on s required t o

,

”
i n fla te them Th e s e n sa ti o n s
. which Ka n t s o ,

i n c o n si st e n tly drew fro m t hi n g s i n them selve s a re - -

,

n o w expl a i n ed a s product s o f the a ctivity o f the

1 “
Ti me a nd S pa ce ,
Ch a p . III . p . 2 34 .
 THE WORLD G
AS IM A IN AT IO N

t a si c a s bridgi n g the gulf betwee n the s e ns e s a n d

the mi n d a n d betwee n the c o n sci o u s a n d the u n c o n
,

s ci o u s , p oi n ts out it s imme n se imp orta n ce i n d a ily

life a n d especi a lly i n the fields of a r t a n d religi o n ,

a n d hold s th a t i n c o n tr a st with previou s pri n ciple s ,

Ide a Will a n d so fo rth it i s the o nl y re a lly crea tive

, , ,

a ctivity .
( But n o te th a t cre a tive fo r hi m me a n s

re a li si n g a p ote n ti a lity pre exi ste n t i n Go d ) He -

.

then pur sue s Ph a n t a sie thro ugh the re a lm of th o ught

u si ng the c orre sp o n de n ce theory o f truth ( onl y fo r
truth of percepti on ; he h a s a l so truth o f Re a lity
an d truth o f Ide a lity ) he h a s n o difficulty i n sh o w
i n g the import a n ce of me n t a l picturi n g a n d exhibit s ,

t h e c o n cept a s the wo rk o f Ph a n t a sie by comp a ri so n

a n d fu si o n of im a ges h rdly dequ te View l )
( a a n a a ,

a n d s o i n like m a n n er the c o pul a i n jud me n t i s

g
due to Ph a n ta sie Th e c a tegorie s
. he will n o t
reg a rd a s a p ri or i for o u r c o n sci o u sn e s s th o ugh th e y ,

a re i n the Ab so lute ; they belon g to Ph a n t a sie a s

the wa ys i n which c on structive th ought n orm a lly
works S imila rly a s reg a rd s the Ide a s the Go o d
.
, ,

the Be a utiful etc Ph a n ta sie is the power which

,
.
,

bri n g s the s e etern a l s t o light for us The ch a se g o e s .

o n through I n ducti o n Thi s h o weve r i s the su b

.
, ,

i ide of Ph t ie l ter devel pme n t of a n

j e c t v e s a n a s a a ,
o

origi n a l objective a ctivity which h a s ri se n from the ,

u n c o n sciou s t o the c o n sci ou s The o bjective pri n .

c i ple he reg a rd s pr o temp ore a s u si n g Ma tter a n d

Force a s i n strume n t s a n d he a ttempt s a ge n era l

,

hi story of evoluti o n o n thi s b a sis Th e a ccou n t .

ta ke s up 3 0 0 p a ge s but do e s n ot so fa r a s
, ,

I c oul d se e i n dic a te a n y p a rt icul a r stren gth i n

,

n a tur a l s cie n ce o r p sych ol ogy or p o ss e ss a n y illu

mi na t i v e va lue wh a tever My gen era l opi nio n is

.

tha t the writer got h old o f a n excellen t ide a a n d did

 HYPOTHESIS OF THE C OSMIC IM AGIN ATION 15 5

n ot kn o w wha t to do with it Thi s i s certa i nl y c o n .

fir med by the Ma g n um Mysterium book whi ch ,

co n t a i ns so me a mou n t of o n t ol ogy a n d a lot of semi

religi o us stu ff He p a i nf ul ly extra cts a li st o f
.

ultima te s Wha t so rt of hiera rchy if a n y they

.
, ,

ma y fo rm I c a nn o t di sc o ve r
, ( I n cluded a s the .

o n ly a lter n a tive t o illu s i on i s S ub st a n ce u n a lte r ,

a ble ca u sa su i u nkn o wa ble the la ws o f thought

, , ,

ide n tity etc a n d the c orre sp o n di n g la ws of re a lity

, .
, ,

the etern a l un cha n gi n g Idea s o f the Go o d the ,

Bea utiful et c Teleo logy a n d Po te n ti a lity of S e n sa

, .
,

ti o n a ll s ta tic the p ri n ci p le of movement i e Ph a n Ph t i -

m
, , ,
. . a n as e
c

ta si c which i s fur ther the pri n ciple o f c on structi o n { zgd gg

n
, ,

a n d Go d I c a n n o t fin d the c a tego rie s i n thi s li s t ) 353332235;d

. .

It wa s n o t give n to Fro h sc ha mmer t o believe i n t u ti con s r c on .

Th e a ctua l mus t h a ve pre exi sted

’
n ovelty .
-

poten ti a lly ; the world i s the a ctua li sa ti on of wh a t

i s stored up i n p osse— i n God No te tha t God i s N lty ov e
’mm
.

— d w d e
limited by a ll the o ther ultim a te s the Ide a s a r e '

—
quite a top o f him h e i s the most un h a ppy God
ever pictured by a phi lo sopher The b oo k doe s n ot .

e n d here but thi s i s the la s t c o n tributio n to

, Fir st
Philoso phy .
’

Thi s meta physic s seem s certa i n ly u ni n viti n g a n d ,

eve n syn creti stic i n the worst se n se o f t h e word .

An d Ph a n ta sie emerge s a t the close o nly a s a A ub di s or n a te

p i i pl i r nc e n a
p r i n mple o f m o veme n t a n d c o n st r u c t l o n a m o n g y ti ti s n cre s c

ultima te s which i n clude La ws o f Tho ught Ide a s " ”t ’

, ,
19 S C B'

Go d Tele ology a n d Po te n ti a lity o f S e n sa ti o n which

, ,

t wo l a st might surely h a ve bee n fa there d by Ph a n

ta si e o r the fin i te Go d Ph a n ta si e s eem s
.
,

i n deed merely the ge n era l serva n t wh o do es the

,

work of the ho u se a busy bee sla vi n g for dro n e s .

Let us pa ss on .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION
25 . Sh
ke spe a re perh a p s glimp sed the Co smic
a , ,

Im a gi n a ti on whe n he wr o te th a t we a r e such stu ff

”
a s dre a m s a r e m a de o f a n d o f cl o udc a pt t o wer s

a n d g orge o u s p a l a ce s di s so lvi n g a n d le a vi n g n ot a

—
r a ck behi n d a s wo ul d be t h e c a s e litera lly if the
CI . ce a sed t o im a gi n e ! But the true poet of
im a gi n a ti on i s Bl a ke the full f orce o f wh o se c on
,

v i c t i o n wa s brought h o me t o me by s tudy o f a n

e ssa y on thi s mystic by Prof Morri so n of the Uni .

ver sity of S t An drews Bl a ke s ta sk wa s t o o pe n “

.
’

the imm ort a l eye s of ma n i n wa r ds i n to the world s

of thought i n t o eternity ever expa nd i ng i n the
, ,

bosom of God the huma n i ma gi na ti on Thi s I s h o ul d

”
.
,

sa y sugge st s a n ide a l a mbiti on to the i n dividua l

,

d uri ng ea rth life a n d a fter if for the much a bu sed

-
,

Word Go d we a r e a ll o wed to substitute Co smic

Im a gi n a tio n 1
Th e wo rld for Bl a ke o rigi na te s

in a di vi n e a ctivity ide n tic a l with wha t we k n ow

o ur s elve s as the a ctivity o f t h e ima gi n a ti on .
”

Re a lity writes Pr of Mo rri so n on the se li n e s i s

,
”
.
,

n ot s t a ble o r immut a ble it i s a n e n dl e s s Becomi n g , ,

a n d o nl y by im a gi n a tively pr o jecti n g your self i n t o

th a t flux gi v i ng yourself u p to i t c o uld you ever

, ,

di sc o ver wh a t it re a lly i s Thi s ma y rec a ll t o some

.

’
Hegel s a ttempted self immer si on i n the di a lectic a l -

No tio n But wh a t a n immea sura bly superi or pro s

.

p e c t i s Bl a ke s t o th a t o pe n
’
t o the m a n wh o de a l s

with n o tio n s r a refied t o the exclu si o n of emotio n

’
a n d s e n se If we c o uld o bey Bla ke s behe st we
.
,

s h o uld be immer sed i n a n im a gi n a l life r i ch wi th ,

emoti on a nd sen s i ble wea lth a n d i n th a t cl os i n g with ,

the la rger re a lity we sh o uld gra sp the secret o f i t s

Bec o mi n g a s well No self torturi n g the n with .
-

1
We requir e th e word God to n a me a fini t e pwr o e of v i t a l

moment ( Cf Pa rt III Cha p VI

. . . . .
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
”
m a de There i s a fr e e a ctivity wh o s e whole
.
1

re a lity i s i n the pre se n t rolli n g forwa rd with cea se ,

le ssly i n ga thered p a st i n to a n o pe n future All .

lie s i n a Bec o mi n g We a re to s ugge st ho wever .

, ,

tha t there i s n o prima cy o f Bec o mi n g o ver Bei ng ,

tha t the h a s a c o n s erva tive side be side s o wn i n g

cre a tive epi so de s tha t B ec o mi n g i s n either uni ver sa l
,

n or where it o bt a i ns n ece s s a rily without i n terludes

, , .

But of this more la ter .

§ 2 8 In respect o f cre a tive evoluti o n Bergson s

’
.

a ttitude i s o f high i n tere s t He believe s i n th a t .

c on ti n ua l ge n era tio n o f n ovelty whi ch Fr oh sch a m

mer i n view of Ph a n ta sie so a sto ni shi n gly de ni ed
, ,
”

—sees i n the Bec o mi n g much more th a n the un

“ “ “
r olli n g o f impli cit i n to explicit ”
p ote n ti a l ,
” ”

”
B erg son h as i n to a ctu a l a s phr a s e s r u n He might well .

mi ss ed h i s
o p p or t un i ty . ha ve give n Ph a n t a sie a n o ther a nd a better
c a reer by di sp osi n g o f it s grote s que fellow ultim a te s
a n d a do pti n g it a s a n Im a gi n a l Gr o u n d For a fter .
,

a ll ,
Fro h sc h a mme r i s qui t e right i n reg a r di n g
im a gi n a ti o n a s the o nl y m o vi n g a n d co ns tructive
pri n ciple worth e n terta i ni n g An d we mu st re .

member th a t Bergson s u niverse i s by i n ten ti on a ’

, ,

Hi s Wo rld p ys c h i ca l o n e In mi ss i n g thu s
. the ch a n ce o f fi n di n g
G r oun d ou gh t
b
t o h a v e e en , a cr ea ti ve p sychi ca l W o rld -Gr o u n d i n im a gi n a ti o n ,

n ot a n i n de t e r
Lf Berg son h a s t o regret the le a di n g o versight of hi s
~

“
mi n a t e i e,
”

but i ma g in a philo so phy There i s n othi n g i n the c on cept o f a n

.

t i on
Ela n Vi ta l of a n i n determi n a te supra c o n sci o u s
.

-
,

Life which serve s to expla i n n ovelty a n d tra n s

,

form a ti on Why sh oul d thi s Life

. be credited
1
Though i t i s n o t cle a r , i n t hi s wh t i th t di g f
c a se, a s e s an n o

Pu r e Memory ( M a tter a nd M m y E g tr
e p
or , n . a ns , .

whi c h is a made t hi n g a nd ca nh rdly b l d d fr m

a e ex c u e o

th e U ni v e se.r
 HY P OTHESIS OF THE CO S MIC IMAG INATION 15 9

with imperi o u
an eed to cr te I suppo se
s n ea 2

bec a us e Berg son holds th a t crea ti on i s ta ki n g pla ce

a n d tha t Life a cc ordi ng ly must be equipped
, ,

with som ethi n g to a cc o un t for it .

Th e Ela n Vi ta l is
imperi o u s imp ul se to cre a te
an .

But doe s n o t a n im p ul se to cre a te i n a p sychic a l

Gro un d c a rry u s to the Co smic Im a gi na ti on u nle ss ,

we a r e sa ti sfied to mur m ur a phra se There i s n o .

pro spect i n a n a ppe a l to Re a son or S chope n ha uer s ’

Will It is thi s c on sidera ti on which h a s m o ved

.

me t o refer t o Berg soni s m i n c onn ecti o n with the

s c a n ty hi s toric a l a n tecede n t s o f o ur m a i n hyp o the si s .

I ha ve de a lt with certa i n a spect s of Bergson s ’

tho ught el sewhere a n d m ore over hi s sys te m , , ,

h a rdly c o n cern s us a t the m o me n t But I will .

po i n t o ut wh a t seem s to me to be the seco n d

m ost imp orta n t err or i n the a rticul a tio n o f h is
philo so phy .

29He i s by i n te n ti o n the cha mpi o n o f a B g

.
, , er
’
s on s
d g at
s
p y c h i ca l Uni verse But i n expl a i ni n g thi s Univer se zifgfi
.
re

he h a s ta ken o ver to o seri o u sly the tra ditio n a l old

dua li sm of Life o r S pirit c o nf ro n ted by Ma tter
a Ma tter too which he term s i n ert just a s
,
”

,
“

did the o ld dua li st We ha ve i n Life the cre a .

,
”

tive the free a n d i n i n ert determi n ed Ma tter

, , ,
”

which thwa rt s a n d o b structs Life s cre a tive e ffor t ’

t wo comp lementa ry i n verse a sp ects o f re a lity Th e Th d li t i . e ua s c

up shot i s tha t Life ha s to de a l i n such fa s hi on

with Ma tter a s t o dodge it s o ppo siti on a n d “ im a
”

tra n sform the foe by cra ft a s fa r a s i s p o ssible i n to a

, ,

sl a v e — i n to a veh i cle fo r L ife s cre a tive m a n ife st a

’

tio n To do thi s Life su n ders itself f a ll s a p a rt

.
, ,
 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION
a nd pur sue s diverge n t p a th s of devel o pme n t cre a t ,

i n g ever fre s h n o veltie s of evoluti o n a s it g o es By .

c on se n ti n g t o thi s it s ucceed s i n c o n tr olli n g

,

Ma tter It s wa ys a n orga ni sm by ta ki n g a d
.
”

va n ta ge o f the i n st a bility of n ervo u s structure ,

directi n g i n t o ch a nn el s s elected by i t s free i niti a tive

, ,

the En ergy stored up thr ough the i n ge sti on o f

f ood Th e Ma tter which compels thi s s u n der
.

i ng a n d sc a tteri ng of Life (i n it s own right a con

“
t i n uu m of c on flue n t c o mpen etra ti v e
, te n de n cies
or p ote n ti a litie s is a t the root of the evil s which
ma r the s t ory of cre a tio n Life the origi n a l
.
,

u n broke n pri n ciple i s n ot respo nsible

, .

Th e Ultim a te Re a lity whi ch h a s Life a n d

,

Ma tter a s it s c omplemen ta ry i n verse a spects ,

do e s n ot come clea rly o n t o the sta ge It seem s a .

S pi n ozi st Grou n d tra n scen di n g experien ce sa ve in ,

so fa r a s the a spects reve a l it .

Th e re a der will ob serve i n thi s rel a ti on of the

a sp ects — a r e they n ot qu a si i n depe n de n t exi sten ts 2
-

’
much th a t rec a ll s v o n Ha rtma n n s ro m a n ce i n the ,

Philos op hy of the Un con sci ous of the de a li ng s ,

o f the Ide a with the Will The Ide a rich with .

,

pote n ti a lity t a kes p o sse ssi on by cra ft o f the stupid

,

bli n d Will ( which r esi sts u nle ss cu nn i n gly guided

,

a n d c o n trolled ) a n d tra i n s it with i n fi ni te p a tie n ce

, ,

a n d wi s do m so a s t o s ubserve its purp ose

,
For v on .

Ha rtma nn a lso the Idea is bl a mele ss but the Will

, , ,

i s a t the ro o t o f evil He t oo po sits a n ultim a te

.
, ,

Groun d o f which the Will a n d Idea a re sides

, .

Th edu a li sm of Bergso n does not s eem ju stified .

We sa w lo n g a go th a t Ma tter ,
”
as u sed i n so much
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
i n erti a bei n g s h o wn in an other wa y as my mu scul a r
s e n s a tio n s a tte st .

31 . N ow thi sfa ct of r esi sta n ce i s on e thi n g Th e .

i n tern a l ch a ra cter o f wha t does the resi sti n g i s quite

a n o ther If I wa n t t o c o n quer Na ture I m o ve
.
,

s o met hi n g Thi s a cc o mpli shed

. N a tu r e does the ,

r est. Thi s re st i s my c o n que s t Na ture

re si st s s ervi n g me except o n i t s o wn terms th a t —
i s a ll An d i n l a s t re sort N a ture s beh a vi o ur depe n d s
’
.

o n h a ppe ni n g s i n the i n defi ni tely n umer o u s p sychi ca l

exi sten ts or mi n or sen tien ts implied The se .

e xi s te n t s h a ve their h a bit s a s we h a ve o ur s h a bit s

which a re much m ore simple tha n ours a n d ch a n ge , ,

Th a t whi ch o f c o ur s e very sl o wly

,
If the se h a bit s do n ot suit
.

d oes t h e r es i st
o ur purp o se s we a r e a pt a s bec o me s b a ffled m e n
i ng i s n ot i n , ,

f
i t se l a n i n er t to spea k of a bli n dly re si sti n g or brute s tu ff which
s t u fl , bu t
’

f
p sy chi cal l i e o b s tructs o ur s piritu a l life But there i s n o the oretic a l
.

c a ll t o supp ose tha t Na ture i s so fu n da me n t a lly

“
di ffere n t fr o m o ur s elve s th a t a n i n ver s e a spect
o f re a lity c onf r o n t s Life Na ture is a glo w with
.
”

p ys ch i ca l lif e i n every q u a rter a n d cr a n n y It i s .

o f o n e ti ssue with the p sychic a l re a lity n oticed i n

o ur s elve s There i s n o du a li stic o pp o siti o n o f L ife

.

a n d N a ture There a re o nly the c o n flict s of ce n tre s

.

o f p sychic a l a ctivity m a j or a n d mi n or withi n the

, ,

bo so m o f the Im a gi n a l I D EA 1
.

32 . Thi s i s a ll
th a t I c a n fin d to sa y a b o ut t h e
hi storic a l a n tecede n ts of the hyp othe si s o f the
C osmic Im a gi n a ti on or Im a gi n a l I D EA Fichte .

might h a ve c on ceived it but for t h e u nf ortu n a te

leg a cy o f i n tell ectua li sm beque a thed by Ka n t .

Froh sc h a mmer f a ils t o m a ke Pha n t a sie the

1
We sh all hav e more to a dd a bout B ergsonism later .
 H Y P OTHESIS OF THE COSMIC IM A IN ATION G 16 3

Gro u n d of phen omen a reduci n g it t o a mere pri n

,

c i le o f m o veme n t a n d c o n structi on a mid a n a ss em

p
bla ge o f other ul tim a te s Berg son hyp n oti sed by
.
,

a dua li sm o f Life a n d Ma tter curi ously

“
,
”

r e mi n i scen t o f v o n Ha rtm a n n s Ide a a n d Will

’
,

h a s mi s sed h i s o pp o rtun ity . Th e o nl y u n co mpr o B l a ke st a n ds

mi si n g cha mpi o n o f im a gi n a ti on o f wh o m I a m
,

a wa re i s the poet Bl a ke
,
. But p oet s a r e n o t e xpected
t o thi n k their wa y thr o ugh ju n gle s o f difficul tie s
s uch a s be set the phil o s o pher We c a nn o t lo o k t o
.

Bla ke t o be st o w m ore th a n hi s bl es si n g o n o u r
a dven ture . Stirr e d ho wever by a like e n thusi a sm
, , ,

let u s set forth a n ew o n the que st th a t lie s before u s .

 CHAPTER II

ON CE R A N IMP OR
T I TA N T AS P EC T S OF T HE C OS M IC

M GINA ON
I A TI C ON S ID E R ED SE A P R AT E LY
1 . IN pr o fl er i n g h i s cl a ssific a ti o n of a ll a me N
Thi n g s , a s a s ub s titute fo r the c a teg o rie s o f
”
a ble
Ari stotle Mill reduce s the b a sic ki n ds o f re a litie s
1
, ,

c a p a ble of bei n g n a med t o the follo wi n g ,

Feeli n g s o r s t a te s of c o n sci o u sn ess ( )

2 M i n d s . .

( ) B o di e s which ha ve p o wer s or pr op erti es t o excite

3
certa i n o f the se sta te s o f c on sci o u sn e ss ; the s e
l a tter ( a t lea st ) bei n g i n cluded ra ther i n c o mpli a n ce
with c o mm o n o pi n i on th a n bec a u se their exi st
e n ce i s wa rr a n ted by so u n d phi loso phy An d ( 4 ) the .

S uccessi o n s a n d Co exi ste n ces the Liken e sse s a n d ,

Unl ike n e sse s betwee n Feeli n g s or st a t es o f c o n s ci o u s

n e ss Thi s cl a ss ifica ti o n will n o t s eem t o m a n y
.

s ufficie n tly i n clu sive o f thi n g s t o which i n truth

’

, ,

n a me s c a n be a ssig n ed But it i s be st a rra ig n ed .

a s s heer phe n o me n a li s m the ki n d o f ide a li s m implied ,

bei n g p s ych ol ogic a l i e th a t which reg a rds the,

. .

i n dividu a l Mi n d a s i n clu di n g a n d own i ng i n the ,

form o f s ta te s o f c on sci o u sn e ss a ll the re a lity ,

”

1
Th es e c a t ego ri e s a re n ot j u dgi n g pr p t f th
u e c on ce s o e

K a n ti a n t y e n or p ,
a re ti y , it w ould s ee m wh t Mi ll t k t h m
,
a oo e

to be Th ey g e n e
. r lia dse , a n n on e too comp t tly h diff r t
e en ,
t e e en

so rt s of pr di
e ca est whi h c ca n be ffir m d
a l gi i
e ,
”
as o c a ns

ex pr ess it, of a s u bj t ec .
 THE W OR L D AS IM A GINATIO N
a re fte n c o n tr a sted with percepti o n
so o Every .

on e wh o like s preci si on mu st h a ve felt the a tm o

, ,

s pher e o f thi s word t o be u n sa ti sf a ctory We s ha ll .

di spe ns e with it i n the m a i n he n cefo rth

, ,
.

AS P EC TS or THE CI . 1 . C ON S CIOU S N E S S
2 . ce n tre o f experie n ce Mill i s a wa re o f
Th e , ,

co n te n ts whi ch c o n s ci o u sn e s s d o e s n ot own but ,

”

c o a wa r es
-
and light s There i s a stre a mi n g o f
.

co n ten t s i n which a ri s e the di sti n cti on s of s ubject

an d o bject a n d a ll th a t i n them i s An d the se .

c o n ten t s while they di sti n g ui sh Mill sh a rply fro m

,

o ther s e n tie n t s a r e o f o n e ti s s ue with the s urr o u n d

,

i n g p sychic a l c osm os Th e ce n tre o f c on sci o u s lif e

.
,

unli ke a m on a d h a s wi n dows which a re ope n t o

,

m a n y o f the wi n d s th a t blo w The se wi n ds pen e .

tra te i n to i t s i n m o st ch a mber a n d i n kn owi n g them , ,

Mill the micro c osm kn o ws a lso i n p a rt of wha t the

, ,

l a rger re a lity o r m a cro c o sm th a t lie s beyo n d h i s

, ,

circle of experie n c e c on si st s Wha t do e s n ot c o me

, .

i n thi s wa y mu st be so ught by i nf ere n ce which a t ,

b otto m me a n s im a gi n a l suppleme n ta ti on o f co n ten t

di rectly a wa r e d It i s thu s tha t we
. e sc a pe
fro m the fictiti o u s cl o sed circle o f the i n dividu a l
i n to the Uni vers e a t la rge .

Th e t wo m o st imp ort a n t a spects of the C I . .

,
in
view of a cla ssific a ti o n o f Na mea ble Thi n g s , a re

co ns ci o u sn e ss a n d c on ten t For the pre sen t we . a re

c on cern ed with c ons ci o u sn e ss .

In I n di v i dua l I pro ffered a tre a t

and Rea li ty
me n t of thi s di fficult questi o n whi ch I c a n n o
l o n ger rega rd a s sa ti sf a ctory I urged it i s true .
, ,
 CONS CIO U SNESS
tha t co n scio u sn e ss a s well a s c onten t mu st i n
, , ,

some m a nn er be ultim a te a n d fo un d it s so urce i n

,
”
t h e p sychic a l life of the Gro un d But the .

Gro un d its elf wa s trea ted t oo much i n the

m a nn er i n which S chelli n g di scu ssed the Immem ori a l
Bei n g the da rk p o wer like the imper son a l O rl o g
1
, ,

o f No r se myth ol o gy whi ch rule s i n secret b ehi n d

,

the c ons ci ou s g o ds An d there wa s fur ther a l a ck

.
, ,

o f preci si on i n the tre a tme n t o f the s ubc o n sci o u s .

Th e pre se n t e ssa y i s due m a i nly t o t wo de sire s to ,

“
di scu ss the Grou n d a s ( l ) im a gi n a l a n d a l so
”
, ,

a s ( 2 ) c o n sci o u s S eve n yea rs of refle cti on ha ve

.

forced me t o m o dify c o n sidera bly the vi ews which

I used to hold re specti n g the co n sci ous a nd

s ubc o n sci o u s .

Con sci o u sne ss ( a s n e ss S ho ws ) i s n ot a re a lity C i u on sc o sn ess

‘
which i s the Gro u n d of everythi n g el se It i s a iggg gggg
t
ij
s
.

1
b a sic a sp ect o f the Gro u n d to wit the Co smic 33 3322Ifn1 ,
19

Ima gi n a tio n Th e o ther b a sic a spect i s c o n te n t gi t i

. .
a na on .

An yt hi n g i s c o n te n t o f whi ch there i s o r c a n be , ,

a wa re n e s s or c o n sci o u sn e ss We u se the term .

c o n te n t p o pul a rly with a sp a ti a l rel a ti on i n view

a s whe n we spe a k o f the c o n te n t s o f a bo x But i n .

meta physic s we mu st n ot be mi sled a s i s so o fte n ,

the c a se by the meta p hor pre se n t i n thi s c on cept

,
.

Co n sci o u sn e ss doe s n ot con ta i n the sou n ds c ol o ur s , ,

p a ssi on s re soluti o n s etc which we de scribe a s i t s

, , .
,

c o n ten ts i n the sa me wa y a s a bo x c on ta i n s a pen

,

a n d a w a tch 2
If yo u a r e mi sled by the met a phor
.
,

1
Thi s, of cour se , bl e ongs to S chellin g s la ter thi n kin g
’
, a nd h as
n o thi n g with th
to do e In di fferen ce Absolute or Ab solute Identi ty
-

of hi rly th ght
s ea ou .

2
Th b e f r
ox, o c ou se , i s i tsel f only on e of t he con ten ts of th e
w rld y t m whi h i
o -s s e c s a wa red by th e C I . .
 THE WOR LD AS IM A GINATION
will suppo se th a t it do e s a n d you will bec o me a
y o u

N i th
e p t s ubjective o r p sych o l ogic a l ide a li st like Mill
er a s ec Co n .

1133123
1 ”
’

0 6
1 1 s ci o u sn e ss d o e s n o t circum s cribe a n d o wn thes e
c on te n t s a s i t s m o dific a ti o n s it a wa r es together
( co n s cire ) a-
n d light s a M a n y a s r a dic a l a s it se lf .

Th e s itu a ti o n s ugge sts a u sef ul th o ugh imperfect , ,

s imile I a wa ke a t midn ight

. Th e d a rk n e ss i s .

i n ky O f a s udde n there i s a fla sh o f light n i n g a n d

.

i n the m o me n t a ry gl a r e I s e e the M a tterho r n Th e .

fla sh reve a l s but it do e s n ot cre a te the m o u n ta i n

, ,
.

In a simil a r wa y c o n s ci o u s n e s s light s c on te n t
( a n ythi n g th a t i s o r c a n be a wa r e d fro m a simple
, ,

qu a lity t o a qu a n tity rel a ti on symph o n y s u ns et , , , ,

emoti o n system o f phi l osophy Milky Wa y o r c osm os )

, , ,

but do e s n ot o wn it a s a ph a se of i tself Th a t it ma y .

m o dify it whe n o n ce pre se n t I do n ot de n y but

, , ,

th a t i s qui te a n other m a tter Th e c o n te n t o n i t s .

,

s ide determi n e s or m a ke s definite c on s ci o u sn e ss

, .

Th e c on s ciou sn e ss o f a go d di ffer s fro m th a t o f a

mo n key i n re spect o f i t s c o n te n ts .

We a re c o n sideri n g the se a spects c o nsci o u sn e ss ,

a n d c o n te n t sep a r a tely
,
but they a re together i n
,

a n d a s the C I It i s t ogether o nly tha t they c on

. .

'

spire t o cre a tio n Thu s o ur s i s a s ubjective

.

o bjective Ide a li sm a n ide a li stic Re a li s m,

Th e C I . . .

i s i n n o s e n s e a re sidu a l my stery u n de rlyi n g o r a t ,

the b a ck o f the s e a spect s There i s n o t hi n g i n the

, .

C I which the se a spect s do n ot c o mpri se Ea ch

. . .

a spect implie s the o ther a n d the C I implie s a n d

,
. .

i s b o th There i s n o cryptic
. S ub sta n ce like ,
”

th a t of S pi n o z a t o be c o n sider e d Ultim a te Rea lity

, .

i s c o n s ci o u sn e ss wi th a n i ma gi na l c on te n t ; the
pl a stic stuff o f which the pro te a n phe n ome n a of
Na ture a n d our own lives a re ma de .
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
ha t wh a t he h a s u n witti n gly put i n to it In u si n g .

the expre ssi on pure exp er i ence Ja mes h a s cre

dited the o rigi n a l world stuff with c on sci ou sn e ss - .

Thi s c on sci o us n e s s bec ome s di sti nct i n di vidu a l c o n

sc i o u sn ess i n a p a rtic ul a r s ort of rel a ti on of p o rti o n s

o f the w o rld s tuff In t hi s c a se it i s cle a r th a t the

-
.

rel a ti on do e s n ot c on stitute c on sci o u sn e ss but ,

o n ly m a ke s it defi ni te a s thi s o r tha t se n tie n t by ,

pro vi di n g a specific fil li n g .

Berg son reg a rd s c on sci o u sn es s a s prim a ry An d .

co n sci o u s i n dividu a l s a r e n o thi n g el s e th a n the

little rill s i n to which the gre a t river o f life di vide s

it self flo wi n g thr o ugh the b o dy of hum a n ity Th e
, .

’
m o vemen t o f the stre a m i s di s ti n ct fro m the river s
bed Ma tter a lthough it must a dopt it s wi n di n g
c our se Con sci o u sn e ss i s di sti n ct fro m the org a n i sm
.

it a n im a te s a ltho ugh it mu st u n derg o i t s v i ci ssi

,

tude s .
1 ’
Ma tter splits up Life i n to di sti n ct
i n dividu a litie s We h a ve dea lt with thi s du a li sm
.

of Life a n d Ma tter before It rem a i n s t o .

p oi n t ou t a p o ssible sour ce of c o nf u si o n t o the e x

p l o r er i n thi s diffi c ul t field B er
g so n s L if e i.s
’

n o t b a re c o n s ci o u sn e ss ; it i s c on sci ou sn e ss a nd
con ten t Life he sa ys c ompri ses m yr i a ds of
.
,
”
,
”
c om p e n et ra t i v e te n den cie s a n d p ote n ti a litie s .

It i s thi s p o wer rich with c on te n t th a t m a ster s a n d

, ,

a n im a te s Ma tter which h a s a lr e a dy a con ten t

of i ts own Life h a s a filli n g but la cki n g t h e
.
, ,

s truggle with Ma tter seem s p o werle ss t o do

,
”

a n ythi n g with it ! It i s seemi n gly the i n feri or

“
i n ert Ma tter which i s the occ a si on o f L ife s
” ’ ”

bei n g a ble to cre a te Verita bly a n a stoni shi n g

.

situ a ti o n .

1
Crea ti ve Evolution , English t r a n sla ti on , p . 2 84 .
 CO NS CIOU SNESS
4 . N o wi n
c o ns ideri n g thi s riddle on e a ll imp ort a n t D t t y t - on
’
r o

y th t sa a c on
p oi n t i s n ot t o sa y tha t c o n sci ou sn e ss i s o r re semble s i
mb l
s ol ous n e s s s
o r r es e es
s o m e thi n g el s e If yo u m a ke sta teme n t s
. th a t m t hi g so e n
”
l !
l ea f i s yell o w s n o w m o u n t a i n s a r e m o re tre a cher
,
e se

men a r e bip e ds a n d s o f orth

3) CC ”
o u s th a n r o ck s , , ,

y o u imply a l o n g with
,
y o ur m a i n a ffirm a ti o n an ,

iden tity or resembla n ce It i s o n a cc o un t of thi s .

re sembla n ce t o somethi ng else tha t the le a f c a n be

l a belled yell o w If n o w yo u begi n t o sa y thi n g s
.

a b o ut ( o r a s the l o gici a n s sa y a ffi rm predic a te s o f)

, ,

c on sci ou sn e ss you a r e implyi n g a n iden tity o r

,

re sembl a n ce An d the ide n tity or re sembl a n c e

.

impli e d i s o ft e n grote s que a s whe n it i s sa id th a t

c on sci o u sn e ss i s m a tter i n m oti on or th a t c on ,

sc i o u s n e ss i s a term Co n sci o u sn e ss or a wa r in g
.
”

i s n ot a bit like a n exte n ded re si sti n g o bject i n ,

mo ti o n Nor a g a i n i s it like a n y o ther term

.
, ,
“
.
”

“
Yo u c a n o f c our se cre a te a con cep t c on sci o u sn e ss
, ,

“
a n d u se it a s a
”
term but thi s a g a i n i s con ten t , , ,

a n d n o t t h e o rigi n a l a wa ri n ctivity f which u

g a o yo

a r e i n s e a rch .

Co n sci ou sn e ss do e s n o t le n d it self t o such pre How t o kn ow

wh a t con
di c a t i o n for the re a son th a t it i s u n i qu e Yo u c a nn o t
, .
s ci ou sn ess is .

m a ke a sta teme n t a b o ut it which impli e s th a t it i s

o r re sembl e s someth i n g else Nega tively you ca n .

sa y th a t it i s n ot u n c o ns ci o u sn e ss a n d c o n tr a st it

with thi s Yo u h a ve a c on cept o f the un c on sci o u s

. .

Yo u ri se o u t o f the de n ti st s ch a ir a n d a r e a ssured
’

by other s tha t eve n t s h a ve o ccurre d which ha d n o

exi ste n c e for yo u ; you a r e a wa re eve n i n yo ur ,

wa ki n g sta te o f c ol o ur s ro cks et c whi ch yo u

, , , .
,

don t suppo se c o n sci o u s i n their o wn right a n d i n

’

them selve s But thi s n e ga tive c o n cept ho wever

.
,

re a ched doe s n ot suffice Th e p o sitive ch a ra cter

, .
 172 THE WORLD AS IMAG INATION

of co nsci o u sn e ss mu st be so ught in its livi n g etern a l

c on tra st with the c o n te n t pre se n t to it Thi s i s the .

s upreme c a s e i n which i s evi n ced the s uperi o rity o f

the direct i n tuiti o n o ver t h e sec on da ry c o n cept .

For i n thi s c a s e the i n tuiti on a n d the a lleged i n tuited

a r e n o t p a rted a s s o Ofte n by the bre a dth o f bei n g
, , ,

but a r e o n e a n d the sa me thi n g .

Thu s I do
meet the que sti on Wh a t i s c on
n ot
”
s c i o u sn e s s 2 with the reply It i s Tha t i e ,
. .

s o methi n g el se I tur n t o c o n s ci o u s exp erie n ce

.

it self a n d try t o a w a re a s purely a s p ossible , ,

the re a lity which I s eek An d tra n sf ormi n g the .

,

re s ult i n to c o n ceptu a l tho ught I fin d thi s , .

Lea di n g u p t o Co ns ci o u sn e ss shi n e s i n i t s o wn light It i s n ot .

t h e solu ti on
exi ste n ce i n the se n s e i n whi ch a qu a lity
.

an ,

kn ive s or m o u n ta i n s exi st Nor a g a i n i s it a rel a

,
.
, ,

ti on Yo u h a ve a rel a ti o n whe n ever there i s a

.

to ta l co n te n t c o mplex i n which t wo or m o re di s
-

t i n gui sh a ble eleme n t s s h o w 1

An d a t ot a l c on ten t .

c o mplex of so m a n y c ol ours o r sou n d s for i n st a n ce

, , ,

i s a lw a ys m ore th a n merely t wo o r m a n y di s crete

co n t e n t eleme n ts Thu s the rela ti o n s o f succe ssi o n
-
.

—
or c o exi ste n ce or tho s e very c o mplex o n e s which
,

Obta i n i n hum a n so ciety imply m ore th a n a m or e ,

Ma n y A Ma n y whi ch h a d n ot some u n derlyi n g

.

c on ti n uity di ffere n ce s which were n ot a l so pre se n t

,

t o a n Ide n tity wo uld c on stitute s o ma n y enti r ely

,

s epa ra te u lti ma tes An d thi s bri n g s u s to the so luti on

. .

5 Etym o l o gy
. fte n reve a l s a truth ju st glimp sed
o

by the m a kers o f words It do e s so here Ca n . .

s c i ou sn ess ( a wa r i n g together ) i s the ultim a te c on

1
Cf . secti on Rela ti on s, p . 33 7 .
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
resemble s so methi n g el se Co n sci o usn e ss a n d the .

co n ti n uum a spect o f the Univer se a re on e a nd the

-

sa me t hi n g .

Thu s c on scious thro ugh a n d t hr o ugh

the C I . . is .

Were it n ot so there wo ul d be n o c on ti n uity i n i t s

,

life or ra ther i ts life wo ul d n ot o bt a i n a n d wo ul d

be r e pl a ced by a n irrel a tive Ma n y a n i n fin i t u de o f ,

cl o s ed petty u n iver se s ! Do you de sire t o h a ve a

p a rti a l experime n t o n the se li n e s ? Yo u h a ve a
s a ti sf a ct o ry o n e m a de by the C I its elf i n the , . .
,

wh y ti
con n c a se of Na ture In Na ture a s it firs t a ppea rs the .
, ,

Sigpfiiig di screte a spect o f the C I the Ma n y h a ve a fre e

g ly e
e . .
, ,

fw m N m
s wi n g and c on ti n uity very l a rgely tho ugh n o t
a ”
, ,

a ltogether di sa ppe a r s 1
,
Th e prim a l C I i n its . . .
,

etern a l e ssen ce i s a Whole which a s cons ci o u s or

, ,

a wa r i n g together perva de s a n d d o mi n a te s i t s mem ber s

, .

But Na ture a t the o ut set h a s n o c o mplete c on sci o u s

u n ity of i t s o wn It s c o n ti n uity a s a se n sible o rder
.

s uffer s a cc o rdi n gly ; it s eem s a Whole i n the ma i n

con trolled by i ts loose a nd r ela ti vely i n dep end en t

pa rts . Thi s i s why N

a ture a ppe a r s t o Hegel a s the

Thi s i s why the porti on s o f

”
self exter n a l
- .

Na ture di scussed by a stron omers physici sts geolo , ,

gi st s etc seem t o a c t a s if they were mech a ni c a l

,
.
, ,

the p a rt s ch a n gi n g a s if they were solely c o mpelled

from the o ut side a n d determi ni n g i n thi s wa y the fa te
A mult i pli ci t y of s ci ou s
”
o f t h e a ggreg a te . i s of , . .

imperfectly con sci o u s p sychi c a l live s u n derlie s ,

eve n thi s fe a tur e o f Na tur e Ma teri a li sm n o tices .

the re sul t pro duced bu t o verl oo ks the producer s , .

Th e l oss of c o nti n uity ho wever wa s , , n ever co m

1
Cf Pa t
. r III . Cha p IV
. . The C r
ea ti v e A pp l u se , a nd fol
lowi nggch a pte rs .
 CONS CIO USNESS
ple t e there per si st s a cert a i n whole n e ss of develo p
men t to which eve n the di screte p a rt s un witti n gly
,

c o n spire 1
An d i n the re a lm of bi ol ogy the di screte
.

p a rt s a r e a lre a dy s wi n gi n g b a ck i n to m a rked s u b
o rdi n a ti o n t o mi n o r wh oles In the sphere o f hum a n .

s e n tie n t life ( de s pite i n c o here n cie s i n sa nity a lter , ,

n a ti ng a n d multipl e per s on a litie s co n fli cti n g m o o d s ,

a n d the like whi ch still be a r wit n e s s t o the origi n a l

ch a o s ) whole s a r e o n ce a g a i n mor e or less domi n a t

,

i n g th e ir multiple c o n te n t s We sh a ll see tha t a n .

i n defin ite n umber o f p sychic a l exi ste n t s mi n o r ,

s e n tie n t s or live s pen etra te the territory where

,

a hum a n s e n tie n t h a s i t s bei n g They a r e n ever .

,

o f c o ur s e e n tirely m a stered a n d u sua lly a r e ill

,

c o n trolled An d n o t i n freque n tly they bre a k a wa y

.

i n t o a n a rchy a n d the n m on stro u s thi n g s such a s

, ,

i n sa n ity ma r the story of c on sci ou s life

,
.

Con sci ou sn e ss do e s n o t a ri se o ut of Na ture if by ,

Na ture we mea n a system of c o n ten t im a gi n a l i n ,

ch a r a cter withi n the C I The va ri ou s level s o f

,
. .

sc i o u sn ess a re a ll a s it were the sa me Sun

, ,

s hi n i n g thr ough cl o ud Co n sci o u sn e s s i s n e ver C

.
on sci ous

e vo lved It i s th a t which i s pre supp o sed by

.

evoluti on ; th a t fa ili n g which there wo uld be n o

, ,

si n gle Un iver se a n d n o ev oluti o n a t a ll .

Con sci ou sn e ss i s a u niversa l i n the stricte st C ons ci ou sn es s

” m um ’ s” 1’
se n s e of the term i n th a t i n a ll i t s i n st a n ce s a n d
, ,

de spite a ll c on te n t di ffere n ce s it i s a lwa y s the sa me

-
, .

I a wa re a s doe s S mith a n d we c a nnot a wa re di ffer,

n tly a ll di ffe re n ce s s uch a s a r e sa id t o determi n e

,

c o n sci o u sn e ss lie i n c on te n t i n tha t of whi ch there

,

1
An d t he most dista n t p rt
a s, as we not e i n th e case of

gr mutu al i n fl
”
a vi t
y , h av e a uen ce .
 THE W ORLD AS IM AG IN ATION
is wa ren e ss i n m o o d s em o ti on s ple a sure s a nd
a , , ,

p a i n s re a son in g s a n d so forth
, ,
Th e m a n n er i n .

which co n sci o u sn e ss a s pri n ciple of iden tity a n d c o n

,

t i n u i ty o verride s di ff ere n ce a n d di screte n e ss i s well

,

illu stra ted by a f a ct which I cite fro m W B Pill s . .

bury viz tha t there i s a succe ssi o n o f pul se s o f

, .

a tte n ti o n i n every c on sci o u s sta te —a pul se

o ccur ri n g it wo uld s eem every 0 2
, o f a s ec o n d o r
,
“
so , bei n g f a irly c ons t a n t for a ll c on diti on s a n d
u ni n fl u e n c e d by v olu n t a ry effo rt o r de sire Here we .

n o t e the di screte i n va di n g the very cit a del o f s pirit

n a ked a n d u n a s h a med But n o te a l so th a t c o n

.
, ,

sci o u sn e ss i s c on ti n u o u s de spite the se discrete ,

pul se s o f a tte n ti o n which it cc a wa res -

.

Th e i s n ot 6 . Th e
C I i s c on sci o u s but it i s n ot a per son
. .
, .

a per son a l g oa
To be a per son i s n o t t o be a n i n defi n ite n umber
'

o f o ther per s o n s a n d i s thu s t o be i n cur a bly limited .

( I w a ive the mi n or i s sue a s t o wh a t ch a n ce pl a ced a

per son o n the thro n e o f re a lity a n d c o n dem n ed a ll

o ther s e n tie n t s hum a n a n im a l etc
, t o petty live s
, , .
,

i n the a by ss ) Th e c on sci o u sn e ss o f the C I

. . .

tr a n s ce n ds a n y p o ssible limit a ti o n of thi s ch a ra cter ;

it i s the Ide n tity whi ch sh o ws i n a ll s e n tie n t live s
a like It sh o ws h o wever thro ugh Na ture i n
.
, ,

hum a n a n d a ni m a l life i n form s wh ich we c a ll ,

me a n a n d un sa ti sfa ctory bec a u se we a r e thi n ki n g ,

o f the me a gre con ten ts which it light s i n o ur s elve s

a n d yet humbler bei n g s An d we tur n theref ore .

, ,

with quicken ed i n tere s t t o surmi se wh a t c on sci o u s

experie n ce i s i n t h e C I c o n side red i n i t s etern a l
. .
,

e sse n ce a p a rt fro m the crea tive evolutio n which

h a s i ssued i n N a ture a n d i n di vidu a l life .

To de scribe the C I f ul ly is imp ossible o wi n g

. . to
 THE WORLD AS IMAG INATION
co ns ci ou s c O a wa ri n g a s they do so little c on te n t
,
-
, ,

in the c o n ti n uity o f their limited live s .

If we k a re the C I as e —
d ls
n o t o nl y a wa r e o f . .

c on te n t but a l so a wa re tha t it i s a wa re o f t h e
,

we r e ply th a t i t s c o mplete c on s ci o u s li fe
”
1
c on te n t ,
‘

c a n l a ck n o perfecti o n o f gr a sp which thi s c o mplete

n e s s implie s But wh a t o f t h e limited m o de s o f

.

gra sp which we fini t e s di spl a y ? Y o u ma y a ssert

th a t it l a ck s the se a t a n y r a te It doe s n ot It . .

a wa r e s them a ll i n a wa r i n the fi n ite e n tie n t which

g s s

live m o ve a n d h a ve their bei n g withi n i ts a ll

, ,

i n clu sive gra sp .

Is the C I a tele olo gic a l u nity

. . th a t i s t o sa y ,

i s it a ll embr a ci n g i n th a t it i s the
-
sy stem a tic

expre ssi on o f a s i gle c here t purp ose

n o n 2 We
s h a ll di s cu ss purp ose s h o rtly but mea n while let us ,

put o ur reply thu s It s pur p o sive n e ss which h a s .

,

t wo a spect s a n sweri n g t o i t s c o n s erva tive a n d

,

cre a tive a ctivity i s o nl y o n e wa y i n which the b a sic

,

con ti n ui ty o r cons ci o u s gr a s p c a n be u n de r st oo d .

There a re bl o cks o f h a ppe ni n g i n Na ture a n d Hi st o ry ,

which c a nn ot be i n terpreted a s cosmi c purp o sive

n e ss a t a ll
?
But the h a pp eni n g s i n que sti o n bel o n g ,

n everthele s s i n so me m a n n er yet t o be i n terpreted

, ,

to the c on ti n uity o f the im a gi n a l wh o le They a re .

,

a t le a s t c c pre se n t t o
, or -
t ogether i n the C I , , . .
,

eve n th ou gh they c a nn o t be derived fro m i t s crea

tive i n iti a tive Th e pro blem ra i sed will be met
.

fully but the a n swer pre supp ose s di scussio n s which

,

a r e f o u n d i n Pa rt III .

7 . It ha s bee n ur ged th a t a hyp othetic a l Cosmic

1
Letter .
2
Ev e n Hegel h a s to a ll o w th at t hi s i s so .
 CONS CIO U SNESS l 79

Experie n ce mu st be fini te bec a u se there 1s implied A i t t h ,

g a ns e

a n o n Ego which e xi st s beyo n d it a n d limit s Sa ga

-
”

it Thi s critici sm t ell s s tro n gly a g a i n st believer s E “ n

i éi ifii gi
r ’
.

m
n on E o w ch p ychic a l i n ch a r a c
gggg
in a hi i n t - l i t i e a
g s o s n

ter which i s so meh o w for eig n t o t h e Exp eri

,

en c e a n d s h a re s t h e Un iver s e with it
,
But if the .

n o n Eg o m e a n s o nl y o n e so rt o f c on te n t wi thin
-

the Exp erie n ce t h e o bj e cti o n c olla p se s For Expe ,

.

ricuc e e xha u s ti n g r e a lity i n clude s a n d o verrid es

, ,

t h e di sti n cti o n s pre se n t therei n I n ciden t a lly do .

,

n ot s upp o s e th a t t h e Experi e n ce whi l e o f t h e ,

cha ra ct er o f immedi a te f e eli n g a n n ul s the dis ,

”

t i n c ti o n s which we tre a t o f a b stra ctly i n c on c e ptu a l

tho ught 1
An imme di a cy tha t i s a dequ a te t o
.
,

re a lity a n d n o o ther i s worth c on side ri n g i n cludes

, ,

a ll p o ssibl e di sti n cti o n s i n their ful n e ss With o ut .

ide n tity a nd di ffere n ce like n e ss a nd u nl ike n e ss , ,

there c a n be n o c o n sci o us c o gn ition meriti n g the

n a me .

Still
we mu st n o t o ver sta te the c a se for di sti n o
ti o n s e ve n withi n the Co smic Experie n ce Fichte B
,
. ut wha t ca ll

required h i s Ab solute Ego t o cre a te a n on Ego

wi thi n it self so a s t o r e n der c o n sci o u sn e ss p ossible .

Thi s wa s h i s ba si c It i s n o t cle a r h o w ”
op p os i ti on .

the Ab solut e Ego c ould a c t so except i n time n or ,

ho w if n ot a lre a dy c o n sci o u s it c o uld a ct i n a wa y

, ,

which implie s purp ose For the c on cept o f u n c on .

sci o u s wi s do m o r purp o s e i s a t be s t peril o u sly like , ,

Br dl y r g rd hi Ab l t
1
a e i mm di t
e a E p ri
s s so u e a s a n e a e x e en c e

i wh i h ll t h gh t di ti ti
n c a tr d d
ou Dr R hd ll- s nc on s a re a n s ce n e . as a

criti i thi E p ri whi h h

c ses s p w r f k wi g
as x e en c e c as no o e o no n

i th r i t lf id r it N tr m ”
e e
yt hi g l d
se or a n n e se , an c on s e s as a eu u or

ev en a t hi g t p ri i g t ll B t why t i l d
n no ex e en c n a a . u
~
no nc u e

th di ti ti
e i si mm di t g i t
nc i if
on s t hi l t t r i
n f th e a e co n on , s a e s o e

t r f f li g 2 Diff r f lt q lly with id titi‘

na u e o ee n e en ces a re e e ua en es .
 THE WORLD AS IMA GINATION
n on sen se But let the se p oi n t s p a ss Is n ot the
. .

dem a n d for thi s ra dic a l o pp o siti on wi thi n Co smic

Experie n c e o verdon e Is there a n o pp ositi o n a lwa ys
pr e sen t i n my c o n sci o u s life

reply
Th e is—
Ofte n but n ot a lwa y s Whe n I a m .

c o ns ci o u s o f pu shi n g r o cks or suppressi n g fixe d

ide a s I a m certa i nl y a wa re o f a n o pp ositi o n a n d
thi s i s thru st o n me by i n flue n ce s which I rega rd a s
n ot mys elf But the Co smic Exp eri e n ce c a n suffer
.

n o thru s t s c o mi n g fr o m s o urc e s e xter n a l t o it s elf .

An d h a vi n g i t s c o n te n t thu s withi n it self c a n n o t

, ,

it a wa re thi s c o n ten t a s even I o fte n a wa re l a n d ,

s c a pe s a rti stic Object s

,
etc witho ut a n y implied , .
,

o pp o siti o n o f s elf a nd n o t s elf a t a ll t

1
Why -

c a n n o t Co smic Experie n ce a wa re c on te n t pre sen t t o

it witho ut i n ve n ti n g a n o n Ego 2 -

the C I c on sci o usn es s i s n ot

In co n di ti on ed
. .

by a n d thr o ugh a n o ppo siti o n of a n on Ego o ut side -

1
Fi ch t e
’
s o pp p y h l gy
osi ti on r e st s , i n dee d, on ba d s c o o .

A E T yl r p i t
. . t th t t h p r p ti
a o f whi t w h d w ll
o n s ou a e e ce on o a e as e a

is j t th w ll i
“
us tti g f e m f
a ly d f li g
n a se n o a a ss o unana se ee n ,

o rg i d th r (El m f M phy i p 3 3 6 ) th r i
an c a n o e e en ts o eta s cs , . e e s

no lf i ly pr
se t wi t h t h p r p ti
n ecessa r A d h esen e e ce on . n e

a dd It i
s, ly wh tt ti t th
s on t t f th p r p ti en a en on o e c on en o e e ce on

b m di ffi l t ( g th gh f tig f th rg f
ec o es cu a s, e . .
, r ou a ue o e o ans o s en se

or c o nfli t with m i mp ti bl p rp ) th t I m rm lly

c so e n co a e u ose a a no a

a w r f th p r i d bj t
a e o e t lf pp
e ce v ed t d o ec as a n o -se o ose o, a n re

t i ti g m y
s r c lf Th
n m i I t hi k t r
, se f m h f
. e sa e s, n , ue o uc o our

lif f e i o p rp i ti
c o n s c ou s I rdi ry i lu os v e ac on . n o na soc a

lif e Ih tr g f li g f lf
av e pp ad t ts lf on ee n o se as o ose o n o -se

wh th pl f m m mb r f my imm di t ir l l h
en e ans o so e e e o e a e c c e c as

wi th my w d g i wh I o n, an d i wi i g m a h a n en su ccee n nn n so e s uc

r l itr t r t my w id my lf i th
e ca c an ov e o f l o n s e ; se n e o n e c a se ee s

a r pr i i th th r
e e ss on , p i n e o e a n ex a n s on .
”

I i t ll t l w rk I m f t
n n e q it fr fr m b i g
ec u a o a o en u e ee o an o s ess n

se Th rti t m t y th m
9,
e a s us sa e sa e.
 THE WORLD AS IM A IN ATION G
we
gl a d with a l when the truth i n tere st permit s
a re , ,
-

u s t o do so An d i n the pre se n t reg a rd we ca n sa y

.

Th o r i
e . thi s As t o n o ( l ) t h e c o n cept o f the Cosmic Im a gi n a
s a . .

lfifififihfi fffi ti on i s a ltogether a m ore l ofty on e th a n th a t Of a

‘ e t n

person a l Gr o u n d We a r e di sc a r di n g a rude hyp o .

the si s for o n e tha t m a y well ro u se en thu si a sm As .

t o n o ( 2 ) Ma n m a y believe i n a s uperhum a n Ally

.

or a llie s witho ut deckl oa di n g phil oso phy with

A d fi it
n a n s ch o l a s tic Thei s m
e A fi n ite go d o r g o d s m a y be .

fify fiff
o fi s
i n clud ed a m o n g the se n tie n t s wh o live m o ve a n d , ,

1 2 2 1 11
T
12

23 11 h a ve their bei n g i n the Co s mic Im a gi n a ti o n h

1 9 2
e .

c a s e fo r belief i n s uch bei n g s i s i n depe n d e n t o f

hyp o the se s a s t o the World Grou n d It i s a que sti o n -

.

o f evide n ce— a r e the phe n o me n a of Na ture a n d

Hi st o ry such a s t o sugge st the a ctivity o f se n tie n t s
o f thi s type t 1 ”
If they a re there c a n be n o o p po si ,

ti o n o f a n y ki n d from ge n era l phil oso phy .

Th e 9 . Th e the st a n d a rd con sci o u sn e s s be

CI . . is
s ubc m scwu s
c a u se it ao a wa r es a ll c on te n t In the c a se o f fini te
‘
-
.

a wa r i n g the con i s m o re a n d m o re r e stric t ed

u n til o n t h e level s o f th e l o we st p sychic a l exi ste n t s
con s ci o u sn e ss seem s a lm ost t o va n i sh Ta ke the .

c a se o f o n e o f the billi o n s o f cells th a t go t o form a n

o rg a ni s m a n d the n c o n sider o n e o f the billi o ns o f
,

mi n o r p sychic a l live s th a t c o n spire t o the a ctivitie s

o f —
the cell a s it might be kn o wn n o t i n extern a l ,

percepti o n but fr om the i n side S uch a p sychic a l life

,
.

c o ul d n o t be c a lled con sci o u s An d t o c a ll it sub .

c o n sci o u s i s futile Th e su b eva de s a di fficulty . .

“
We o ur se lve s a r e s u b c o n s ci ou s a s judged a o
cordi n g t o the st a n da rd o f the c o mplete cons ci o u s
1
Bu t cf . Pa t r III . Ch a p VI
. . on g r a des of se n t i e n t s . Th e
c a se for b li f i
e e n a n ov e rr li g fi it
u n n e g od is n ot de p en dent solely

on such ev i den ce .
 CO NS CIOU S N ESS
n e ss o f the C I But we a wa r e n everthele ss withi n
. .
, ,

limit s Th e le sser p sychic a l live s a r e a l so s u b

.

c ons ci ou s a s judged by o u r hum a n sta n da rd p oo r ,

a s it i s but they t o o a wa r e th o ugh o nl y withi n th e ir

, , , ,

ve ry re stricte d limit s It i s better to c a ll them merely Th m ely . e er

“ “ “w a s“
s ci o u s Th e l o we st fo rm o f s ci o u sn e ss wo uld
”
.

be th a t o f t h e Nu cle a r s o f Pa rt III — a mer e .

a wa r i n fr m i n t n t t i n s t a n t o f rel a tive simplicity

g o s a o ,

devo id o f a n yt hi n g re sembli n g wh a t we c a ll mem ory

a n d e xp e ct a ti o n But e ve n thi s wo uld n ot be s u b A u f
. se o
th t m
c o n s c 1o u s i n the cu st o m a ry s e n s e o f t h 1s tre a cher o u s b ib su
e er
c on s c o u s

wo rd v i z a ki nd of con sci ou sn ess tha t i s someho w zgfi

, .

gdzé
t ‘ ‘ ‘f e

u n co n s ci ou s O f c o urse there i s n o such ki n d , .

Co n sci o u sn ess n ever cha n ge s th ough it ma y light ,

m o re or le ss c o n te n t It i s a s elf ide n tic a l u n iver sa l .

-
.

In
truth the live s o f fi ni te p sychic a l exi ste n ts C , on sci ou s n e s s

grea t a n d sm a ll pre se n t o nly gr a da ti o ns lyi n g ,

b e twixt a very i n clu sive cons ci o us e xperie n ce a n d g‘ O‘ a r d

8 11
1
1 19
COIIS C XO IIS .

a lm o s t b a r e soi o u sn ess I a m sp ea km g o f the se .

s a a r —
live s they e n them selves a s they might be
i
a wa r e d fr o m the i n s ide .

It i s clea r tha t there i s n o sc o pe fo r the u se o f the

te rm s ubc on sci o us 1n re spect o f the gra da ti o n s
between c on sci o u sn e ss c o mplete a n d a lm o st c o n
te n tle ss s ci o u s live s Awa re n e ss i s a lwa ys a wa re
”
.

n e ss— o f c o n te n t Th e cul t o f the s ubc o n s ci o u s h a s

.

tra de d t oo much o n the a ssumpti o n th a t live s c u t

o ff fr o m our direct view a r e n ec e ss a rily i n s e n tie n t 1
.

1
In t h e s ph r
p y h l gy w h h rd f t m h
e e of s c o o e av e ea ar oo uc of

sub i ti i ti
c on sc ou s wh r i t r th ac vi es e e, n u ,
c o -con sc ou s o n es a re

l rly i mpli d
c ea It i g d t rmi g
e . ti i t y b s no oo e n an ac v su c on

i if y
s c ous ,
”
r dit i t with ll th t i
ou c e b i gi dd a a c on sc ou s e n s an oes .

Thi i th d dg r
s s rt d t y t m ti ll y i phil phi
e o e e so e o s s e a ca n oso es o f
th U
”
e in co n sc ous .
 THE WORL D A S IM A GINATION
An d ,further there h a s bee n much blu n deri ng due
,

t o c onf u sio n of the two a spect s o f c on sci o u sn e ss a n d

c on ten t .

If we a re c on sideri n g con ten t i n ste a d of c on sci o u s ,

n e ss, the pr o blem of the subc on sci o u s or u n con

’
s ci o u s i s s ee n i n a n o ther light Thu s i n Berg so n s .
,

words , Th e ide a o f a n u ncon sci ou s r epr esenta tion

! c o n te n t ! i s clea r de spite curr e n t prejudice
,
we
m a y eve n sa y tha t we m a ke c on st a n t u s e of it a n d ,

tha t there i s n o co n cepti o n m ore f a mili a r t o c omm o n

sen se . b e yon d the wa ll s o f yo ur ro o m which
y o u perceive a t thi s m o me n t there a re the a djoi
,
ni n g
ro o m s the n the re st of the ho u se fin a lly the street
, ,

a n d the t o wn i n which u live It ig ni fie little

yo s s .

t o which the ory o f m a tter you a dher e ; re a li st or

ide a li st you a r e evide n tly thi n ki n g when ever you
, ,

spe a k o f the t o wn o f the s treet o f t h e o ther r o o m s

, ,

i n the h o u se of so m a n y perc e pti on s a b se n t fr o m

,

y our co n sci ou sn e ss a n d yet give n o utside it They .

a re n o t cre a ted a s y o ur c o n s ci o u sn e s s receive s th e m

they exi st e d then i n so me sort a n d si n ce by hyp o ,

the si s yo ur c o n sci o u sn e ss did n ot a pprehe n d them

, ,

how c o uld they exi st i n them selve s u nl e ss i n the

u n c o ns ci o u s st a te 1
But we might go further i n
.
”

the reg a rd of con ten t Co n sider my percepti o n o f.

t hi s ro o m a n d m ore e sp e ci a lly the gree n n e ss o f the

,

w a ll p a per I a m a wa re Of the gree nn e ss but surely

.
,

I c a nn o t s a y th a t t h e gree n n e ss a s such i s a wa re o f
me or a n ythi ng e l se If so we ha ve a n u n con .
,

s ci o u s c on te n t i n the he a rt o f c on sci o u s e x
ri e n c e it s elf A n d we re n o w it wo uld seem
p e . a , ,

o n the very verge o f cle a r thi n ki n g o n thi s o b s cure

Iss ue .

1
M a tter a nd M emory En gli sh ,
t r a n sla ti on , p . 18 5 .
 THE WOR LD AS IM A GINATION
wa ys a lleged u n c on sci o us exi ste n ts which a r e ,

k n o wn t o u s o utwa r dl y a s percepti o ns ma y be ,

a wa re o f o u r d oi n g s th ough i n wh a t form s we a r e
,

n o t o f c o ur s e i n a p o siti o n t o sa
, , y An d wh e n we .

thi n k furth er th a t Na tur e i s pr o b a bly pe o pled by

, ,

n umberle ss u n s ee n a ge n t s n e a r a n d a b ove o ur o wn

level o f evoluti o n there i s the b e gi n ni n g of a re

1
,

n a i ss a n ce i n which p o etry a n d phil o so phy ca n meet .

Th e P a g a n o utl oo k i s with u s o n ce a g a i n se a s ,

river s l a ke s clo ud s m o un ta i ns veget a ti o n storm

, , , , , ,

a n d s mili n g field s a ll s trike u s a fre s h with the Old

,

gl a m our Th e dra b ugli n e ss o f o u r b orro wed

.

p o pul a r f a ith i s di spelled We a r e b a ck i n t h e .

r o m a n ce o f a Na ture o f a ctu a l m oo d s a gl o w with ,

life b e fo re which the ido l s o f the tribe o f s cie n ce

,

lie s c a ttered a n d br oke n i n t h e du st .

Tr a n s i t i on t o 11 We h a ve c o n sidered c o n s ci o u sn e ss a s the
.

a ct i v i t y.

,
—
c on ti n uum but thi s do e s n ot su ffic e we h a v e t o
c on sider it fur ther a s a p o wer Co ns ci o us n e ss a s .
,

th a t which a wa r es i n a ll s en ti e n t s do e s n ot ch a n ge , .

But reg a rded i n i t s a lli a n ce with c o n te n t it i s m o re ,

tha n a mi rror i n which t h e Ma n y S ho w to gether .

It i s n o merely p a ssive c o n ti n uum It i s wh a t .

“ ”
Fichte c a lled i nfi nite a ctivity Fichte him self .
,

h o wever reg a rded thi s a ctivity a s the c o n diti o n o f

,

c o n s ci o u sn e ss o n the gro u n d a lre a dy n o ticed tha t , ,

there c a n be n o c o n sci o u sn e ss i n the a b se n ce o f a

n o n Eg o
-
which c o ns ci o u sn e ss it self do e s n ot pro
,

duc e We fo u n d th a t thi s o pp ositi o n i s n o t n ece s

.

s a ry . We mu st a dd th a t a ctivity ( whe n held

to c o n diti o n c on sci o u sn e ss ) l a ck s th a t e sse n ti a l
w hi ch c o n s ci o u sn e ss emph a tic a lly IS Fa i li ng a n .

ulti ma te con ti n u i ty, ther e is no Commo n Ulti ma te

1
Cf Pa t . r III . Ch a p . VI . on gra des of se n ti e n ts.
 ACT I IT V Y
Rea li ty to be a cti v e a t a ll . There i s ci ou s
n o cons

togethern e ss— o nl y a Multiverse ,

”
the eleme n t s
o f which lie h o pele ssly a p a rt .

It i s thi s a ctivity o f c on sci o u sn e ss i n c o n crete ,

a lli a n ce with c o n t e n t whi ch u n derli e s c o n serva ti o n

,

a nd cre a ti o n i n cludi n g the tr a n sfo rm a ti on s o f

En ergy so c a lled We p a ss the n t o c o n sider .
, ,

the t opic o f a ctivity .

AS P EC T S OF THE CI . . 2 . ACTIV IT Y

Q u od n on a gi t, n on exi st i t .
-
LEIB N ITZ .

Wh at i s th i s In fin i te of Thi n gs i t sel f whi h

,
c we na me
Un i r
v e s e, but an Acti on , a su mtota l of Ac ti on s and

Ac t i v it i es — CA RLYLE, Fr en ch Rev olu ti on .

12 . free i n fin ite a c t iV1ty a s Fichte

Ther e i s ,

urged but the a ctivity do e s n ot c o n di ti o n t he

,

—
u ni ver sa l c o ns ci o u sn e ss i t i s thi s c o n sci o u sn e ss
it self Activity i s whole ju st bec a u s e it i s thi s con
.

s c i o u s n e ss — t h e c osmic c o n sci o u s n e s s which com

pri ses i t s c o n te n t n o t p a s sive ly bu t a s self ide n tic a l
, ,

p o wer .

Fichte held tha t a ctivity i s a tte sted by direct

i n tuiti on An d we mu st a ll o w tha t it i s n ot a
.

c on te n t i n the ordi n a ry se n se o f the term The .

re a so n i s n ot fa r t o se e k .

It will be remembered tha t we c o uld n o t sa y th a t

c o n sci o u sn e ss i s o r re se mble s so methi n g el s e
, ,

It i s self ide n tic a l or self re sem bli n g If

- -
.
,

therefore a ctivity i s c o ns ci o us n e ss we mu st go
, ,

di re ctly to c o n sci o u sn e ss to c on crete a ctivity ,

s itu a ti o n s t o gra sp it or r a ther be it

, We mu s t .
 THE W OR L D AS IM AGINATION
wa re it i n a n i n tuiti o n i n which i n tuiti o n a n d
a

Ac t i v i ty i t i n tuited a r e o n e
s no An d n o te th a t we c a n n o t expect.

t l k
o

a co n en t i e

gr e en or h t t o a w a re it a s a con ten t like gree n he a t n e ur a lgi a

ea . , , ,

a dre a m or a n ger we s ha ll n ot be a ble t o sa y it i s

s uch or s uch i n the wa y i n which we c a n a s sert th a t

a b a ll i s r o u n d o r r e d Th e o rdi n a ry p sych o l o gy o f
a ctivity situ a ti on s t a ke s a cc o u n t i n deed o f
-
, ,

s e n sibl e c o n te n t s but the se c o n te n t s a re n ot the ,

i n dwell i n g p o wer c omm on t o them a ll .

Acti v i ty a n d Activity so imp ort a n t for Fichte ha s

b el i ev e s i n r , ,
no

t h e A solut e b
imila r st a n di n g i n Hegeli sm a n d n eo Hegeli sm
. s -
.

Thi s i s bec a u se writer s o f the se s ch ool s w a n t t o be

lieve i n a c o mplete perfect a n d fi n i shed Ab solut e ,

i n which there i s n othi n g d o i n g a n d n o c a ll fo r

a n ythi n g t o be d o n e A lik e a ttitude ch a r a cteri s e s .

much o f Greek n eO pl a t oni c a n d I n di a n tho ught ,

-
.

B li f i t h
e eBut whe n a ccepti n g the Im a gi n a l I D E A o r Co smic
n e

Im g i l I E
a na D A
i t t
r e n s a es Im a gi n a ti o n we r e i n sta t e a ctivity o n ce a n d for a ll .

t i i ty
Activity i s n a tive t o the ch a ra cter o f the I D EA
ac v
in
.

a n im a gi n a l U n ive r s e it mu st be true th a t a s L e ib n itz ,

s a y s wh a t d o e s n o t a c t d o e s n o t exi st
,
Im a gi n i n g .

i s self a ctive It i s a ctive i n the wa y o f sta tic c o n

-
.

s erva ti o n but it c a n n o t be re stricted to t hi s ,

It i s .

a t h o me with the perfect a b o ve ch a n ge but it i s ,

free a l so t o cr e a te i t s bei n g i s n ot st a led with a n

, ,

u n a ltera ble fixi ty o f c o n te n t It s i n fin ity o verflows .

i n to n o velty .

Bra dley c o n te n d s tha t a ctivity implie s

13 .

s ucce s s i o n i n time
1
but thi s i s true o n ly o f the
,

1
B rt r e and Ru ssell a ls o h olds t h a t a c ti v i t
y i m lpi es t h e

e xi sten ce o f t i me, whi h c ca n n ot fb

i t se l e a cti v e ( P r i n ci p les of
Ma thema ti cs ,
p . We sh a ll r ply t
e o hi s v ie w ( P rt a III .

Ch a p IV ) by tryi
. . ng to sh o wh ow ti me -su c cessi on ari ses ou t of

ch a n geles s a cti v i t y i n the C I . .

 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION
merely phe n ome n a l but i s p osited by the C I , . .

itself An d we s ha ll fin d the n th a t thi s ima gi n a l

.

a ctivity i s the p r i n ci p le o f m ov eme n t required

by ide a li sm Hegel pro ffered a pri n ciple o f thi s
.

ki n d i n c o n tra dicti on Scho p en ha uer a n d v o n

,
”

Ha rtm a n n i n a va gue a n d trul y mi s de scribed

Will . Cosmi c
”
Wi ll i s on ly the Ima gi na l ”

IDEA a s self con ser va ti v e a nd a s s elf cha n gi n g

-
Th e -
.

m o s t i n tere sti n g fe a ture i n the birth o f Na ture

( which i n clud e s th a t o f s p a ce a n d time s eque n ce ) -

i s the wa y i n which fro m a s ta te o f re stful h a rm o n y

, ,

the de sce n t i n to time seque n ce di sc ord a n d imper

-
, ,

fect i o n begi n s We seem a ble t o de a l with thi s pro

.

blem with so me succe ss .

We a re n o w c on sideri n g the C I a s c o n crete a s a n . .

,

a lli a n ce o f c on s ci o u s n e s s a n d c o n te n t Thi s a lli a n ce .

i s expre ssed i n i t s t wo wa y s o f a ctivity the con ,

ser va ti v e and the crea ti ve ( Un der cre a tive .

fa ll a s well di ssoluti o n a s evoluti on de structi o n a n d ,

co n s tructi o n for b oth the se fo rm s o f ch a n ge imply

,

im a gi n a l n o velty ) B oth c o n serva ti on a n d cre a ti o n

.

figure even i n time succe ssi on tho ugh here the -

,

ch a n geful a spect do mi n a te s It i s e ssen ti a l t o n o te .

th a t the c on sci o u sn e ss a n d the c o n te n t side s o f t h e

C I n ever f a ll e n tirely a p a rt ; th a t the o n e c a n
. .

n ever be i n differe n t t o the o ther Ther e i s a lwa y s .

s o me c o n ti n ui ty eve n where di s crete n e ss h a s i t s

wor st c o n fli cts There i s a lwa ys the c o n serva ti o n

.

s ide i n a ll tumult s o f ch a n ge i n the very h e a rt o f the ,

Hera cleit a n o r Berg soni a n flux An d th o ugh c o n .

,

s c i o us n e s s i s the o nly s trict ide n tity o r u n iver sa l ,

there i s a l so a n imperfect iden tity which we c a ll

, , ,

li keness pre s e n t i n the common a spect s o f c on te n t

,
.

On the o ther h a n d th o ugh c o n sci o u sn e ss a s s uch

,
 ACTI VITY
never cha n ge s it sho ws i n ma n y cen tre s o f fin ite
,

experien c e wh ose live s a re di ffere n t bec a u se o f t h e

di ffer e n c e s of their c o n te n t s We sh a ll be dea li n g .

with thi s m a tter frequ e n tly i n va ri o u s light s .

14 Ja me s c o n sideri n g pro ductive a ctivity J m

.
, a e s on

i n t h e h um a n i n di vidua l cite s Edwa rd Ca rpe n ter

e e r ie e
,

a n en t t h e la w th a t a m o vem e n t fro m fe eli n g t o p n x c '

tho ught a n d the n ce t o a cti o n from the world of ,

drea ms to the world of thi ngs i s eve rywhere g o i n g ,

on . S i n ce a t ea ch pha se o f t he m ove m en t n o velti e s

tur n up o n e ma y fa irly a sk with Ca rpen te r wh e ther
, ,

we a r e n o t witn e ssi n g h ere i n o ur o wn per son a l

experie n ce wh a t i s re a lly the e sse n ti a l pro ce ss o f
cre a ti on IS n ot the world re a lly gro wi n g i n the s e
.

e xperie n ce s of o ur s ? An d whe n we pre di c a te

a ctivitie s el sewhere h a ve we a r l gh t t o s upp o se
,

a ught di ffere n t i n ki n d fr om thi s i 1

In the
reg a rd o f Cha n ge perh a p s n ot We o urselve s a re
,
.

to de scry n o v e lty i n the c a u sa l dy n a mi c o f Na ture

we sh a ll succeed i n tra ci n g the i ma gi na lly n ovel eve n
there . But i n the a b o ve n o ted m o veme n t fr o m -

“
drea m s t o thi ng s which i s t h e p o we r guidi n g
,

civili sa ti o n there i s cre a ti o n verit a bly t hr u st up o n

,

o ur g a z e An d t h e e sse n ce o f it i s a lwa ys im a gi n
.

i n g s for which experie n ce a s it c o me s t o u s origi n a lly

, , ,
”
o r a s J a me s put s it i n
, feeli n g do e s n ot a cc o u n t
, , .

It mere uper titi th a t a ll wi sd o m a ri s e s fro m

( i s a s s o n

e xp e rie n ce a s the s tupid old empirici st s u s ed t o

,

b e lieve ) There i s g e n ui n ely fre sh a chievem e n t

.

which h a s bee n mere ly p romp ted by de sire c on n ected

with t he o ld s itu a ti o n o f which we a re t o be rid .

Im a gi n a ti on impro vi se s An d it s ucceeds ordi n a rily

.

o n ly a fter m a n y tri a l s a n d err o r s All so ci a l a n d .

1
S ome P roblems f
o Philosop hy, pp . 2 14- 15 .
 19 2 THE WOR LD AS IMAGINATION
p olitic a l me a sure s o f reform a re o f t hi s type o f
im a gi n a l experimen t o utput s e ver n ew o f Hume s ’

m a gic a l a ctivity .

Ja me s urge s i n the c a se Of a ctivity situa ti on s -

i n o ur selve s th a t there i s n o s ep a r a te c a u sa l fa ct .

R a ther d oe s a wh ole s ub sequen t field gro w c on

t i n u ou sly o u t o f a wh o le a n tecede n t field bec a u s e it
s e em s t o yield n e w bei n g o f the n a ture c a lled for ,

while the feeli n g of c a u sa lity a t work fla vo urs the - -

e n tire c o n crete s eque n ce a s s a lt fl a vo ur s the w a ter

n which it i s di sso lved

i
”
1
He thi n k s further th a t
.
, ,

the word a ctivity h a s n o me a n i n g o ut side e xperi

e n c es o f pr o ce ss o b structi on strivi n g stra i n or
, , ,

rele a se a n d he h a s i n view so methi n g su sta i n

,
”

i n g a felt purp o s e a g a i n st felt o b st a cle s a n d o ver

”
c o mi n g Or bei n g o verc o me We c a nn o t a dmit .
,

for re a son s a lre a dy s t a ted th a t a ctivity me a n s o nl y ,

a p a rticul a r set o f co n te n ts Assure dl y a ctivity is .

a llied with c o n te n t a l on g a n d i n c o n tr a st
, with , ,

which it i s i n tuited But it self i s n o speci a l c o n ten t

.

to be di ssected o u t for s urvey like a c ol o ur or ,

muscul a r s en sa ti on or ta ste It i s n ot e g a n
,
.
, . .
,
”
effort o r stra i n th o ugh thes e sen sory e xper i
,

e n c e s ma y a tte n d it D o n ot c a ll a ctivity u nr e a l
.

bec a u se you a n d o ther s a r e n ot a wa re o f it except ,

i n a c a se o f s trivi n g or s u st a i n ed e ff ort a g a i n st a n
Th e eye n orm a lly d o e s n ot see
”
o b structi o n .

it self Yo u a r e o fte n u n a wa re eve n of he a lth a n d

.
, ,

perh a ps n ever fully a wa re o f it sa ve a s co n tra sted

,

with disea se But you do n ot fo r th a t reg a rd

.

hea lth a s a myth Notice tha t the he a lth sen sa

.
-

1
P roblems f
o P hi losophy, p . 2 18 . Th e ste p s of ch a n e ,
g how
ev e r
i n i ma gin a l i m
,
pr i tiov s a on a r e su ely o r ft triki
en s n gly su dden

a n d de a t sh a pr ly rp fr m th
o e a ntec ed en t fi ld t
e
 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

it i s n ot co n te n t a n d belo n gs ra ther to the c on sciou s

n e s s a spect o f the C I
-
a n a spect which i s the
. .
,

u n iver sa l c o ti uum
n n a n d a —
l so p o wer p o wer t o
a wa re c on te n t cha n gele ssly a n d p ower a l so t o , ,

work ch a n ge s i n it .

Pierre Ja n et writi n g like Ja me s prim a rily i n c on

,

n e ct i o n with p sych ol o gy h a s n o ted th a t c on sci o u s ,

n e ss i s e ss e n ti a lly a cti v e re a lity This a ctivity .

i s a b ove a ll a syn thetic a ctivity which u n ite s ,

m ore or le ss n umero u s give n phe n ome n a i n to a n ew

p h en o m en on d iff e r en t fr om i ts elemen ts We h a ve .

here a ver i ta ble crea ti on for a t wh a tever p o i n t o f , ,

View on e pl a ces o n e self the m ul tiplicity doe s n ot ,

c on ta i n the ra i son de l u n i té a n d the a c t by which

’

,
’

the heteroge n e ou s elemen ts a re c ombi n ed i n a n ew

”
form is n ot given i n the eleme n t s 1
Whe n we .

get beyo n d hum a n a n d a n im a l se n tie n ts a n d m oo t

the a ctivity o f a cosmi c c o n sciou sn e ss we see th a t ,

A
’
a per cus s uch a s Ja n et s will c a rry u s very fa r .

glimp s e o f the truth th a t c on sci o u sn e ss i s a cti ve

cha ra cteri se s Ka n t s do ctrin e o f the ’
syn thetic
u n ity Of a ppercepti on It wa s this s chola stic.
”

u n ity which Fichte wa s o n the verge of c on vert

i n g i n to a n i ma gi na l a cti vi ty expl a n a t ory o f the
Un ivers e .

Hum a n se n tie n t life i s a prol on ged a ctivity situ a -

ti on a s well c on serv a tive a s crea tive Th e p oore st

,
”
.

p o i n t of so c a lled p a ssive sens a tio n the li stle ss reverie

-
, ,

the c on templ a ti on Of a rti stic o bjects the s truggle up ,

a m o u n t a i n the b a ttle a g a i n st vici o u s i n s ti n ct u n im

, ,

1
L
’
ma ti sme psychologigue,
a u to by P o
ci ted Ma cdouga ll , rf .

Body a nd M i nd , p . 3 69 . r
An a cti v i t y of c ea ti on ( n ot of con
r
se v a ti on whi h i c s pr
e qually i m o ta nt ) is ei n
g di b
scussed .
 ACTI IT V Y
—
p oded pla y etc etc a ll the se
,
. li ke imply a ctivity
. a ,

though n on e i n deed a ctivity of which the e n tire

, ,

so urce lie s wit hi n o ur s elve s Th e fini te se n tie n t o n .

o ur humble level i s i n va ded by c o n te n t s the a ctive ,

so urce s o f whi ch a r e hi dde n fr o m it But fro m a .

ce n tra l p oi n t of view th a t o f the C I re a lity a s , . .

, ,

well u n ch a n gi n g a s cha n gi n g i s a wh ol e o f i n fini te ,

im a gi n a l a cti on Th e petty se n tie n t

. hum a n , ,

a n im a l
,
a n d s u b a n im a l d o e s n o t a wa re i n thi s a ll
-

i n clusive wa y It i s u n derg oi n g a siege o f c osmic

.

a cti o ns which c o mp a ss it a b o ut a n d pe n etr a te it .

It a wa r es a t the o utset o n ly i n the s ervice of i ts

pra ctic a l rea cti on s to the se hi dde n a cti ons a n d i t s ,

un der s ta n di n g of the c o smic situa tio n i s c orrespo n d

i ngly re stricted .

Hi s toric a lly spe a ki n g this Vl ew i s 1llustr a te d by ,

the m a n n er i n which c ons ci o u s life c o mes t o s hi n e

’
thr ough the ( bi ologi sts ) org a n i sm Co nsci o u s life .

’ ”
ride s litera lly on a cti o n s storm Co n sci o u sn e ss I t h h i t y . n e s or

a s it d a wn s i n the hi st o ry o f o rg a n i sm s a n d a s it 3 35533223 , ,

s h o w s s peci a lly i n te n se i n hesita n cy situ a ti on s i v i t t

-

y b i th
y a
”
a nd a t gro wi n g p oi n ts i s clea r ly n ot a pa ssi ve i t
-
,
s v er r .

mi r ror of no u se to the body concer n ed but a n a cti vi ty ,

crea ti n g through c o n te n t t h e re sp o n se s o ften

, , ,

quit e experime n ta l a n d ten ta tive which s urro u n d ,

i n g s require It woul d n ot a dva n ta ge a n o rg a n i s m

.

to live c on sci o u sly i n the struggle for exi ste n ce ,

u nle ss there wa s a p ositive guida n ce o f i t s re a cti o n s

sec ured u nle ss the a ctive c on sci o u sn e ss impro vi sed
somethi n g u sef ul whi ch wa s n o t i n bei n g bef o re .

Co n sci o us life i s n o i n ert a cc omp a ni men t of n ervou s

“ ”
fun cti on ; c o n sci o u sn e ss it ha s bee n sa id is , ,
”
i ntere st a n d fra ught thu s with i n tere st c on te n t
, ,
-
,

it wor ks a t fir st i n the servi ce of b o dy Thi s

, ,
.
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
h a rm on y however i s broke n o n the hi gher level s
, , ,
“
a n im a l a n d hum a n where the i n tere st o f c o n
,

s ci o u s life i s o fte n o pp osed to the i n tegrity a n d

well bei n g o f the b o dy When c on sci o u s life i s .

”
da wni n g it cre a te s a s if i t s m a i n c on cer n were
,

the welf a re Of the a lli e d o rg a ni sm l a ter it crea te s ,

a n d a lso c o n serve s c o n te n t which i s i n tere sti n g fo r

,

i t s o wn sa ke Thu s a n a m o eb a a wa re s a s if it i s
.

o n ly a b o dy c o ns ervi n g it s elf i n the struggle for

exi ste n ce But you or I ma y s a crifice o ur b o die s

.

i n que st of a dve n ture for its o wn sa ke or i n pur sui n g

th o ught which m a ke s un duly severe c a lls o n the
e n dura n ce o f the fle sh Co ns ci o u s a ctivity h a s .

freed itself i n p a rt fr o m the tr a mmels of the b o dy .

We c a nn o t pur sue thi s to pic fur ther a t the mome n t

“
but it i s worth n oti n g tha t fro m the i n tere st ,

o f the m o s t crude i n s ti n ctive a tte n ti o n up to the

“
i n tere st o f the m o s t r a pt vo lu n t a ry a tte n ti o n ,

s uch a s a cc o mp a n ie s the pl a n ni n g of a c a mp a ig n or

the writi n g o f m a them a tic a l lo gic c on sci o u sn e s s i s ,

n ever a n i n ert s pect a tor In o ur higher men t a l .

pro ce sse s i t s a ctive ch a ra cte r i s fully di sclose d a n d ,

i n the li fe o f mu sici a n p o et a n d phil o so pher for

, , ,

i n st a n ce a n i n te n se c o ns ci ou sn e ss i s emb o dyi n g
,

i t s cre a tive w ork cle a rly a n d u n mi sta ka bly i n the

, ,

ti ssue of th o ught it self .

Th e higher c on s ci o us a ctivity cre a te s i n wa ys a lto

gether beyo n d the requireme nts o f the a llied b o dy .

It i s we s h a ll fin d i n the persi ste n ce o f thi s

, , ao

ti v ity ,
whe n the a ll ied bo dy h a s peri s hed th a t
”
,

we h a ve a gua ra n tee for wha t i s p o pula rly c a lled

the imm orta lity Of the soul But we ha ve fa r to .
”

o before we ca n disc us s thi s i n viti n g que sti on

g .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

tio n of a pictur e i n ten t , on st a ble co n te n t ra ther ,

th a n cha n ge .

But we mu st be c a reful n ot to spe a k of Will

a s if it wa s ( a cc o rdi n g t o the us a ge o f writer s like

v o n H a rtm a nn a s ort o f a ut o n o m o u s p o wer equ a lly

)
imp ort a n t a s a n d o fte n eve n o ver ri di n g the I D EA
,
-
,
.

It i s o n e of Hegel s grea t merits t o h a ve m a de the

’

I D EA ul tim a te a n d a ll a pp a ren t o ther rea lity ”

ju st i ts m a ni fe sta ti on or specific a tio n An d if you .

di s c a rd hi s L ogic a l I D EA a n d a do pt i n it s pl a ce the
Im a gi n a l I D EA or Cosmic Im a gi n a ti on you will ,

u n derst a n d th a t there c a n be n o que sti on of r a i si n g

Will t o the p ositi on of the Ma yor o f the Pa l a ce .

V
W o m Co smic
X hil i i
t s
e
c Will i s ju st the I D E A

i n c o n serva ti on or cre a ti on or b o th
reg a rded a s a ctive ,

Th e ID EA , s a id Hegel is n ot so powerle ss a s to be
,

u n a ble to re a li se it self But others h a ve f a vo ured

.

a du a li s tic c o n tr a s t betwee n a merely con temp la ti ve

— —
Ide a a n a n chorite o nl y a ble t o thi n k a n d a pra c
“
ti ca l Will c on ceived I s uppose on the a n a logy
”
, ,

of the ma n o f the world wh o get s thi n g s don e .

In v o n H a rtm a nn s P hi losop hy of the Un con sci ous a n

’

a ll wise Ide a re sti n g i n i t s prim a l ble ss ed n e s s is

-

di sturbed by the a ctivity o f empty voliti on or

”
Will a n d i n ve n t s the world proce ss i n o rder to s a ve
,
-

it self fro m the di sturber Thi s is myth ology All . .

thought i s a cti on An d there is certa i n ly n o voliti on

.
,

which c o uld be emptied o f ide a l c on te n t a n d

rem a i n a fa ct No te i n cide n ta lly h o w i n v on
.
,

Ha rtm a n n s system the ( L ogic a l ) Ide a becomes

’
,

m ore a n d m ore i n c o n si ste n t with itself It h a s t o .

d i rect the ch a ri o t o f the world proce ss But di rec -

.

tio n itself i s a form of a cti on The Ide a a ct s i n .

,
 ACTI ITY V
fin e , o nl y withi n it self but beyo n d it self It i s
n ot ,
.

di scussed a s a p o wer t o i n iti a te ch a n ge There i s a .

fa t a lity a b out thi s ki n d o f philo sophic a l debacle .

Yo u i n vite di sa ster whe n you i n ven t the p o werle ss

Ide a . Yo u a r e f orced t o a cc ord it p ower a s you go .

A purely
”
the oretic a l o r c on templ a tive Idea is
shown t o be n o n s e n s e .

I ha ve u rged th a t the re a lity a n sweri n g to yo ur Why we p re efr

belief i n Co smic Will i s the I D EA a s c ons erva 32; 32”

1 0 0 1 111 ”
tive a nd cre a tive But the term will i s n ot “ 5351
.
1

pro scri bed On the o ther h a n d thi s term c a nn ot

.
,

be u sed t o de n ote a ll field s of c o smic a ctivity un l e ss ,

we a cc ord it a mea n i n g much wider th a n tha t sa n c

ti on ed by p o pul a r u sa ge o r eve n philo so phic a l c on
v e ni e n c e Will a n d voliti on a re n a mes be st
.

re served for situ a ti on s i n fin ite sen tie n t life i n whi ch

there i s c on sci ou s choi ce a n d purs uit o f e n ds t o be
rea li sed i n a time pro ce ss Accordi n gly we s ha ll
-
.
,

empl o y the wider term a ctivity i n stea d o f the

n a rr o w will when ever we h a ve o cc a si o n to
,

me n ti on the Co smic Im a gi na ti on a s co n serva tive

or cre a tive i n a n y field .

Let us de ce n d a while t o the hum a n sen tien t a n d Will

s
“ ”
and

co n sider th a t choice a n d pur s uit o f a more or le ss

clea rly repre se n ted e n d whi ch i s wha t most me n mea n
Thi s i s n ot the o nl y ki n d o f s trivi n g r e
”
by will .

c og ni sed by p sychol ogy which i n clude s such will , ,

”

a l o n g with impul se i n sti n ctu a l re sp on se etc

, u n der , .
,

the ge n era l he a d o f c on a ti o n But it i s a sort .

”

of c on a ti on i n which the na ture of the pro ce ss

i s le a st hidde n fro m u s An d wh a t i s the po siti o n
.

“
Of idea s i n rega rd to will a s thu s n a rr owly
u n derst ood 2
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
Cona ti on urge s Prof S to ut {i s a complex
, .
,
1

experien ce which c on ta i n s a simple a n d u n a n a

lysa ble e leme n t u ni quely ch a ra cteri stic o f i t—a n
eleme n t fro m which the whole derive s i t s di sti n ctly
“
Thi s i s a
”
co n a tive cha ra cter . felt te n de n cy ,

n o t ide n tic a l either with m o t o r se n sa ti o n o r a ff ec

ti on ( ple a sure a n d p a i n ) Felt ten den cy a n d .

”

a ffecti o n a r e di s ti n gui s h a ble n ot s ep a ra ble ; a n d he ,

“
u se s the term i n tere st to expre s s the uni ty Of
c on a tive a n d a ffective cha ra cter s i n the si n gle
“
No w cle a rly thi s
”
process . felt te n de n cy refers
us t o con ten t which o ccur s i n a proces s An d the .

pr ce i s th t o f the exp ns i o of
o ss a a n a n ide a — O i the

i n iti a lly sketchy ide a o f the e n d s ought— the i m

plic a ted plea s ures a n d p a i n s bei n g the feeli ng s which
a tte n d furthered a n d thwa rted p sychic a l life It .

is i n thi s s e n se th a t we c a n sa y with Bra dl ey th a t

will i s the s elf re a li sa ti on o f a n ide a
-
But n ote .

c a ref ully tha t this s elf re a li si n g idea ( or better ide a l

-
, ,

field ) do e s n ot require a lwa ys a n other exi ste n ce

o n a level di ff ere n t fr o m th a t where it begi n s
?
Co n
sider the f oll o wi n g illumi n a tive ex a mple o f
”
willi n g .

It di spla ys a ll the e sse n ti a l s o f thi s pro cess .

S upp
se th a t I a m da y dre a mi n g a n d ch oo se t o
o -

dre a m a b o ut a n a ero pl a n e i ns tea d o f a m o to r c a r I -

.

will n o w merely to p i cture more v i v idly a nd r i chly

wh a t I picture a lre a dy In thi s c a se the exp a n si o n
.

or s e lf re a li sa ti o n
-
Of the ide a l field Obta i ns n o
exi sten ce o n a n other level Of re a lity e g i n the , . .
,

1
Bri ti sh Journa l f yPos chology , J uly 19 06 .

2
It i s will w h en a n i dea pr
o du ce s i ts e xi st en ce . A f r
e a tu e

in pr t i t
e sen ti h
e x s e n ce, n o n a rmon y wi th th t d w rki g a an o n a p rta

fr m i t gi i t lf th r
o , v es se a no e i t
ex s en ce i w hi h i t i r li d
n cd s ea se an

w h r i t i b th i d d f
e e s o ea a n ac t ( Br dl y O
a Pl e r ,
P i n easu e, a n

d V li ti Mi d N ”
an o on , n , o.
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
It is with g ood rea so n tha t we tur n fro m re a lity
a s it i s thru s t a rbitr a rily up o n u s to re a li ty a s we

wo ul d ha ve it i n the pl a y the p oem the ro m a n ce

, , ,

a n d eve n the p a n t o mime We a r e va guely a wa re

.

o f the im a gi n a l freedo m n a tive t o o ur so ur ce We .

,

t oo wo uld crea te u n sh a c kled

, In the m a i n we a r e .

n o w bo n dme n i n a world of sla ve s but we si p ,

freedo m i n such i n terlude s a s sport merry m a ki n g ,

-
,

a dve n ture the l a wless re a lm of p o etry a n d the

, ,

like a fford Imma ture se n tie n ts u n fit to be rea lly

.
,

free sur e t o crea te cha o s c o uld we rem oul d life e a ch

,

a fter hi s p a rticul a r de sires we mu st bea r with o ur,

p a ssi n g servitude a s best we ma y To th o se who .

c a n pierce the veil the future a t le a st i s rich with

, , ,

pro mi se the da y Of a divi n e freedo m more glori o u s ,

tha n a n yt hi n g o f whi ch p o et s ha ve dr e a med lies ,

a he a d .

It i s well n o t t o over sta te the p a rt pl a yed by the

a ffective ( ple a sure a n d p a i n ) fe a tures of the ide a l

field i n pr o mpti ng a ctio n An d this I g a ther is .

, ,

Ja me s me a ni n g whe n he a sks us to reg a rd i deo

’

motor a cti o n co ns e que n t on occup a n cy of the

,
“

mi n d by a n idea or percepti o n a s the fu n da me n ta l ,

type o f willi n g ”
Thi s st a teme n t i s import a n t a s
.

rebuki n g tho se wh o wa n t t o refer a ll pro mpti n g to

ple a sur es a n d p a i n s It a ccen t s the fa ct tha t ide a s
.

o r percepti o n s m ore or le ss n eutra l i n re spect o f

,

ple a sure s a n d p a i n s ma y c o u n t for very much i n

,

prompti ng a cti o n eve n o f physic a l ki n d s Thus .

,

when dr ivi n g a c a r I m a ke i nn umera ble deci si o n s

,

o n the s pur o f quite n eutr a l percepti o n s But we .

mu st remember th a t ple a sures a n d p a i n s a r e n ot

foreign pre sen ce s which s omehow ma r the purity
of idea s they a re feeli n g s wh ich m a rk furthered
 THE C I . . AS S UPERL OGICAL
a nd thwa rted p sychic a l life ; i n short a re i n tima te ,

fe a tur es of the ide a l field it self Acti on rem a i n s .

ideo motor
-
whether the field i s m ore or le ss
n eutr a l i n p oi n t o f ple a s ure s a n d p a i ns o r n ot .

S me o n e will prote st p erha p s a t thi s p oi n t th a t Di u i f

o

m
sc s s on o
, ,
“
we ha ve bee n t oo i n te n t o n the c on ten t of fin ite 35 ?
1

1“
will pro ce sse s a n d ha ve ig n ored the vexed que sti on 1
- 1
32221
11

Is d f r d
7 1 1

a s t o whether deci si o n s a r e determi n ed o r n o t .

e e re

freedo m of the hum a n will p ossible a n d if so h o w 2 , ,

If we a re free we s ha ll surely be a ble pa ce Berg so n

, , ,

t o expl a i n the h o w But the t opic of hum a n a n d

.

fin ite freedom ge n era lly c a rrie s u s b a ck t o a ctivity ,

a n d we h a ve yet t o c ons ider free a ctivity o n the

c osmic sc a le before we c a n di scu ss it effectively i n

the c a se of a fin ite se ntie n t Be sur e h o wever .
, ,

tha t the imp ort a n ce of the i ssue Is n ot u n derra ted ,

a n d th a t it will be c o n fro n ted i n f ul l l a ter .

Hum a n sen tie n ts ma y be free i n o ther re spects

tha n th a t o f choice between co n te n di n g
”
m otives .

AS PE CTS OF THE CI . . 3 . THE C I . . As

SU P RLOG E IC A L
18 . c o n te n di n g th a t the C I i s n ot l o gic a l Wh t w
In . .
,
a e

“
we mea n firs t a n d fo rem os t tha t the I D EA i n i t s
, ,

t o u se Hegel s o wn p hr a se is n ot 25i
” ’
e ter n a l e sse n ce
1
.
, , 0

a wh ole o f g a u n t c a teg orie s li nk ed by th a t sole a va il

a bl e me a n s— di a lectic We a re rejecti n g the o n e

.

a n d o nl y a dequ a te f orm o f P a nl o gi sm the do ctri n e

,

tha t the re a l i s ra ti on a l a n d the ra tio n a l i s re a l ,

the doctri n e tha t Re a son logic a lly a rticul a ted i s

”
sole sub st a n ce a n d so vereig n of the world Thi s .
2 04 THE WORLD AS IMA GINATION
is the true Hegeli a n Ra tio n a li sm a n d a n y modi fic a ,

tio n of it is a c on ce ssio n to the a dversa ry It i s n ot .

e n o ugh for vo t a rie s of Hegelia n i sm to write i n defa t i

g a b ly a b o ut rel a ti o n s a n d t o a v o w m o re o r le s s

s ym p a thy fo r Re a so n t a ki n g o ver o dd
”
,
c a tegorie s ,

while le a vi n g the m with the a b a n don me n t o f the

,

di a lectic u nd er i ved
,
Yo ur n e o Hegelia n wh o a t
.
-
,

tempt s thi s ki n d o f thi n g i s a de serter D e sp a iri n g

, .

o f P a nl o gi s m he h a s quitted the cita del m er ely

, ,

c a rryi n g a wa y such t r i fle s a s do n ot impede fli ght .

He i s n o l on ger i n e a r n e st with a world hi st oric -

hyp o the si s the s upp osa l tha t L ogic a l Rea so n is

s ole gro u n d a n d sovereig n o f re a lity

Now we h a ve c on sidered the c a se a g a i n st the

c a tegorie s a n d the di a lectic a n d if we h a ve decided
,

a right ,
Re a son or the Lo gic a l i s n ot the ul tim a te
Gro u n d Th e I D EA i s n ot the c on cept of o ur petty
.

hum a n experie n ce writ la rge a n d dei fie d —i t i s c o n

c r e t ely im a gi n a l i n ch a r a cter Thu s we h a ve go t.

”
rid o f Re a son the a b stra cti on which l oo m s so
,

l a rge i n the hi st ory o f phil osophy Ha ve we e qu a lly .

g o t rid o f re a s o n i n g
2 Ca n the C I be s a id t o f ul fil . .

i t s life i n p a rt by pr o ce sse s of re a so n i ng a n d i s th a t ,

re a son i n g o f the type which i s di scu ssed i n a text

b oo k Oi l ogic 2

In so fa rthe C I i s c on serva tive a n d a wa re s

as . .

sta tic c on te n t it i s a b o ve re a son i ng To a do pt i n thi s

,
.

c on n ecti o n a sa yi n g of Ja me s a ll c on c e ptu a l kn o w
,

ledge sta n ds for i n tuitive kn o wledge a n d the C I ,

”
. .

m a y be d es cribed ge n era lly a s self i n tuited im a gin a l -

,

”
re a lity which s t a n d s for a n d i s a bo ut n othi n g
, , ,

h a vi n g the immedi a cy of feeli n g a n d bei n g it self i t s ,

o wn o bject En j oyi n g its o wn a n d a ll c on te n t the

.
,
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

p eri en c e . Th e
fir st pr a ctic a l i nf ere n ces i n a ni m a l
life a r e im a gi n a l a n ticip a ti o n s whi ch further beha
“
v i ou r In the c a s e o f Ma n
. the me a n s t o gr a tify ,

hi s feeli n g s a n d hi s phy sic a l n eed s require a l on g a n d

fa r sighted pro ce ss o f c a lcul a ti on a n d thu s re a son
-

! re a so ni n g ! bec o me s the m a i n f a ctor i n vit a l a da p

Th e n eed to s uppleme n t di rect but
”
1
t a ti on .
,

m o me n t a ry a n d n a rro w sen sible experie n ce dict a te s ,

f l —
re s i g the device o f con
the ri s e o picto r i a a o n n

cep tua l re a so ni n g i s a l a ter a n d a dva n ced f orm o f a

devel opmen t which h a s a lwa ys a life i n tere st i n -

Vl e W .

But there a re o ther life i n tere sts th a n th ose a t -

st a ke i n o rg a ni c a d a pta ti o n t o phy sic a l s urr o u n di n g s .

Th e re a soni n g a t fir s t u seful a s a me a n s t o a cti o n o f

,

a re stricted ki n d bec o mes va lued l a ter a s a me a n s

,

to wa rd c o mprehe n di n g o r gra spi n g re a lity a t l a rge

2
.

It i s n ow servi n g wh a t we c a ll a theoretic a l i n tere st .

It i ssue s i n a gre a t c o llecti on of pro p ositi on s a rra n ged

a cc o rdi n g t o a pl a n But the se pro p o siti on s a b stra ct
.
,

a n d sub s titutive devi ce s o nl y to be a ssimil a ted ,

pieceme a l i n a wea ri some succe ssi on supply a p oor ,

m a ke shi ft for the Uni ver se Th e m a ke shi ft i s o n ly .

tolera ble bec a u se a n i n tuitive experie n ce of the Uni

ver se c a nn o t be h a d It ought n ot t o be rega rded .

a s a n e n d i n it s elf O ur goa l lie s n ot i n the pro .

p o siti o n a l system but ra ther i n the re a lity o f ,

prim a ry i n tere st whi ch it i s a b o ut Ha d we thi s .

re a lity pre sen t t o u s we sho ul d c a st the m a ke shi ft ,

1 Dr F . C. S S chiller
.
, Riddles f
o the S phi n x, p . 1 14 , 2 nd edi t .
2 Note ,
a ga i n , the clu e pr esen t in et ymology To c om .

pr h
e en d i s to g r p
as togeth e r ft r a e th e ma nn e th a t the r
r
u n i v e sa l Con sci ous n ess mpr h d
co e en s or holds togeth e r t he
r
di v e si ty of i ts contents.
 THE C I . . AS S UPERLOGICAL

as ide But h a vi n g n o i n tuitive kn owledge of the

.

e n tire Un iverse we a r e gl a d t o h a ve rec o urs e to a

,

c on ceptua l system which sta n ds for it .

Th e idea l of c on templ a tive kn owledge i s a retur n

t o the i n t ui tive i n which a ll c on te n t a spects com ,

mon o r p a rtic ul a r a r e cle a rly a wa r e d

, But o f .
,

c o urse very m a n y o f o ur hum a n c o n ceptua l

,

s ch e m e s c a nn o t termi n a te i n i n tui ti on s circum ,

s t a n c e d a s we a r e An d there a r e n o i n tuiti on s
.
,

it woul d seem i n which certa i n of our impre ssive

,

c omm a n d prop ositi on s ( Pa rt I Cha p II

- 4 ) c o uld
. . .

termi n a te eve n for a go d These devices decree a

, .

cre a ti o n which we di scuss a s if it h a d bee n e ffected .

We ma y desire to i n ve n t whe n the suggest ed n o velty

c a nn o t be bro ught i n to bei n g Thu s pro p ositi on s .

a b o ut
“
Ma tter h a ve n o i n tuitible c oun terp a rt
i n thi n gs ( the c on cept Ma tter itself would be
o f n o v a lue to a god ) On the o ther h a n d there
.
,

a re m a n y cre a ti o n s which a ri se fir st a s s equel s t o

decree s origi n a ti n g i n o urselves A gre a t c o smic .

a c hi eveme n t i s th a t n o velty which bud s o ff fr o m

fi nite se n tie n t life Thi s i n deed i s a c o nsidera ti o n

.
, ,

which ma y help u s to de a l with Bra dley s a lleged ’

i n soluble e n igma : th a t pre se n ted by the exi ste n ce

o f fin ite s e n tie n t s They a r e e sse n ti a l t o a n im a gi n a l
.

—
Uni verse they give ri se t o a we a lth o f fre sh c on
te n t which o n ly multi p le rel a ted i n di vidu a l s c o ul d
yield Co n sider the h a rve st Of the em o ti o ns a lo n e
.

Th e C I a s u n bro ke n co ns ci o u sn e ss coul d co n t a i n
. .
, ,

n o thi n g o f this ki n d .

We a r e n ow cle a r a s to the sta n di ng o f rea soni n g Th C I . e . .

Th e C I a s cre a tive im a gi n es i n a time s ucce ssi o n 21 2513225

0
-
. .
0 11 ,
“
it cre a tes the fa cts a s it im a gi n es Thi n g s a re .
2 08 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
its tho ughts ; the im a gi ni n g i s the cre a tive work .

Withi n thi s im a gi n i n g a ri se cen tre s o f sci o us

a n d c o n sci o u s life which ( crea tive a l so i n their
, , ,

o wn right ) requi re i n ve n ti on s t o f urther vita l

a da pt a ti o n With the se n eeds i s b o rn re a son i ng
.

—
h ow we s h a ll see i n more det il l a ter a n d the c o m
a

plic a ti n g o f t hi s n o velty pro ceeds a p a ce Re a son i n g .

as pra ctic a l i nf ere n ce begi ns with im a gi n a l

s uppleme n t a ti o n of the di rec tly a wa red s e n sible
da tu m . It s fin a l st a ge for m a n y me n i s th a t o f, ,

bei n g a n e n d i n it self Rea so n i ng a n d i t s pro p osi

.

t i o n a l precipit a te s or sys tems become R EA SON i n

c a pit a ls Re a so n i ng illustra tes a form o f crea ti ve
.

i niti a tive ; R EAS ON i s i t s conser va ti ve o r rel a

”
t i v ely s ta ble precipit a te R EA S ON ho wever is .
, ,

greete d n ot a s one of the modes of the u n i versa l

,

p la st i c lif e but ,
a s s a mpli n g the ge n er a l ch a r a cter

o f th a t life An d thi s wa y lie s the gre a test of world

.

hi storic phi lo sophic a l mi sta kes .

S upp e n ow th a t i n the very remote future

os , ,

1
there da wns a di vi n e eve n t a n d the time
p ro -

ce ss i n o ur qu a rter o f re a lity a t a n y r a te cl ose s i n a

, ,

n ight o f re s t Th e h a rve st o f n o velty i s p o sse ssed

.

by the C I i n a st a tic form Wh a t the n of re a son

. . .
, ,

i ng 2 Thi s o f c o ur se bel o n g s t o the n o veltie s

, ,

g a thered i n In wh a t wa y wo uld the C I p osse ss

. . .

re a son i n g which a s we kn ow it implie s time s ucce s

, ,
-

si o n 2 It self a s a wh ole do es n ot re a son but it ma y ,

c o ns erve re a so ni n g a s a fea ture of the p a st wh ose

m o me n t s a r e n o w a ll together for it a s re a lity tha t
has been mad e We sh a ll a n swer t hi s que sti on
.

f ully when we a r e cle a r a s to wha t i s the st a n di n g of

the p a st In so fa r a s the C I i n clude s thi s p a s t
. . .
,

1
Such as Lord Tenn yson had i n vi e w .
 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION
ti on s i n to ra ti on a l o n e s An i n te llige n t . system
1

will c on n ect but wh a t of the da t a which a r e c on

,

n e ct e d 2 If yo u a ver th a t these a l so a r e ra ti o n a l ,

y o u will be s h o rtly a P a nl o gi s t b a ck i n the c a mp o f

Hegel If you decide th a t they a re n ot yo u a r e
.
,

re stricti n g the sphere o f Rea so n s eri o u sly i n deed .

We l o se n othi n g i n dethr oni n g Re a so n After a ll .

,

it i s h a rdl y c o mplime n t a ry t o re a lity o n the gre a t

s c a le t o term it r a ti on a l Con sider wh a t re a so n
.

i n g i n the sole f orm s o f it k n o wn t o u s a ctu a lly i s

, ,
.

Re a son i n g i s a fa llible emi n en tly te n t a tive pr oce ss

, , ,

a n i n ve n ti o n the m a i n v a lue o f which i s t o help

fin i te sen ti ents wh o wa n t t o c on trol the world or

merely t o gra sp it better It pro fit s u s i n deed but .
, ,

h o w o fte n it f a il s us ! Why the n a r e me n pro n e , ,

t o va lue it so hig hl y i n phil o sophy 2 Well there ,

a r e th o s e wh o wi sh t o believe i n a
”
ra ti on a l
Gro u n d a s a n a lter n a tive to a g n o stici sm or sc ep ti
c i sm .They de sire a U ni ver se which h a s a n imm a n e n t
purp osive n e ss a n d pro mise s well for fi ni te s e n tie n t s .

It i s import a n t we mu st a llo w eve n a t the c a ll o f

, ,

s e n time n t t o be l oo ki n g o u t for a Un iver s e of thi s

,

s ort . Fi n ite life seem s a wretched thi n g if it ,

me a n s n o thi n g a n d c o me s t o n o thi n g But a .

”
r a ti o n a l Gro u n d a rid c old a n d h a rd s uch a s
, , , ,

c onf ro n ts u s i n the hi sto ry o f philoso phy bri n g s a t , ,

the be st little o f worth to se n time n t a n d le a ve s t h e

,

fi n ite se n tie n t belittled a n d a lm ost ig n ored Fa r .

m ore sa ti sfa cti o n a wa it s u s i n the tho ught o f a

U niver se wherei n gl owi n g c o smic em o ti o n c ol o ur s
the ro m a n ce o f the C I a n d n o velty well s up thr o ugh
. .

fi n ite se n tie n ts e a ch o f who m i s u nique a n d o f

,

va lue a n d mu st s omeh ow e n dure .

1
No te etymology a ga in .
 THE C I . . AS S UP ERLOGICAL
He n ceforth we sh a ll reg a rd Re a so n as a Wh t w a e a re

c ollective n a me for cert a i n pro ce sse s a n d re sults

1 g1 1
whi ch ha ve their s ea t s i n fin i te se n tie n t s s tri v i n g f °
0
c 1 2 11 °e

t o c on tr ol a n d better their gra s p of re a lity

, Logic , .

we c a n defin e with Berg so n a s the c o mplete set o f

rul e s tha t mu st be follo wed i n usi n g symbol s 1
,
”

cons i stent f o rm a l thi nki n g bei n g i n view But a s .

,

Dr S chi ller h a s p oi n ted o ut so a dmira bly ? forma l

thi n ki n g i s a g a me which mu st n o t be ta ke n t oo
s erl o u sly if we wi sh t o a vo id verb a li s m a n d n o n s e n se
, .

No t l o gic but a s D r S c hi ller c a ll s it

“
, ,
p sycho ,

l ogic , is wha t i s wa n ted Actua l re a son i n g we

”
.
,

a re to c o n te n d — the re a son i n g which s ubserve s

,
~

— “
purp o se is o f p sychologic a l n ot l ogic a l o rigi n , ,
”
.

Lo gic i s a n a ftertho ught or a fterstudy by which ,

o n i t s pra ctic a l side we h o pe t o re n der the proce ss e s

,

o f a ctu a l re a so n i n g le ss f a llible .

The C I is n ot bel o w re a so n a n d l ogic ; it i s Th C I i

. . e . . s

”
.

As cre a tive a ctivity 2313332221

1 1 1
s uperr a ti o n a l s uperl o gic a l
, .
,

while n ot re a son a ble i n a s chola stic se nse it i s 2 1112 2:t 1

,
1

( 3 11
1 1

re a son a ble with a l i n a tele ologic a l wa y i n th a t t b ;

,
”
, ,
o e
‘
r ea s on
b
it fulfi ls the i mma nen t p urpose of r ea li ty t o wit the
a

, ,

evoluti o n of n o vel c o n sci o u s life a wa r i n g c o n te n ts

i n rich a n d u n stin ted va riety Con scious life .
! ,

a wa r i n
g s uch c o n te n t i s i t s o wn s elf -
s u fficient ,

p urp ose There i s n o rigi dl y pre fig ur e d world

.

pla n re a li sa ble i n o n e supreme a n d fi n a l di vi n e eve n t .

Ther e will be a c o n summ a ti o n a n d a g a i n there , , ,

will be f urther c o n summ a ti o ns a n d yet a ga i n o thers ,

”
a n d o ther s i n which n o t a n a b s tr a ct c o smic lo gic
, ,

1
Crea ti ve Evolu ti on En gli sh t a nsla ti on , r p 169
. .

r w r r di ti r
,

2
See his ma ste ly Fo rma l Logi c, h e e t he t a on a l t i v i a li ties
a nd v e rb li m f f rm l l gi
a s o o a o c a re dealt with sca t hi n gly.
2 12 THE WORLD As IMAGINATION

but a c o n crete i n fini te im a gi n a ti on wells up i n to

n o velty th a t is with o ut e n d .

20 . Th e C I ma y i n clude f orm s of o rder , the

. .

term s o f which a r e n o t rel a ted sp a ti a lly o r i n a

time succe ssi on a n d for a ught we c a n sa y such

-
, , ,

o rder s ma y be i n fin i t e ly n umer o u s Ima gi n a ti o n .

—
ma y h old a n ythi n g impro vi se a n ythi n g h o wever —
“
we fi ni te se n tien ts pl a yi n g with logic a l , la ws
o f co n tr a dictio n etc ma y seek t o limit it
, .
, But .

tho ugh forms of order ma y be n on sp a ti a l a n d h a ve -

no succe s sive term s they do n ot e s c a pe fro m bei n g

,
”
temp ora l i n o n e se n se They endu re i n the C I . . .
,

a nd a re a wa r e d s i mu lta neous ly o n e a l on g with

a n o ther eve n th o ugh it be with o ut ch a n ge a n d with
, ,

n o c o n ceiva ble ch a n ge so fa r a s our p o wers o f c o n ,

c ep t i o n a r e c o n cer n ed We a r e n ot t o suppo s e th a t
.

to ha ve term s which a r e n ot s ucce ssive a n d t o be

timele ss a m o un t to the sa me thi n g Y et thi s is .

the extra ordi n a ry supp ositi on which seems ta ke n

for gra n ted i n a ll di sc u s si o n s o f n o n temp or a l -

o rder s which h old the field We s h a ll be c on .

si der i n g s o o n a t so me le n gth the pr o blem o f s p a ce

a n d time a s o rder s withi n the c on te n t o f the C I . .

,

a n d o ur me a n i n g i n re spect o f e n dur a n ce a n d simul

t a n eit y will the n be cle a r .

21 . uperra tio n a l ch a ra cter o f the C I

Th e s . .

mu st n o t be m a de the excu se for sl o ve nl y a tt e mpt s

t o s eiz e it by wa y o f my stic a l i n sight There a r e .

wo uld be mystic s wh o re se n t the rel a ti o n a l s cheme s

-
,

whereby i n t ellectu a l workers seek t o u n der s ta n d t h e

Un iver se Un do ubte dl y there i s n o a dequ a te gra sp
.

o f the C I p o s sible t o o n e wh o w o rk s so lely with the

. .

a b str a ct di sti n cti o n s o f di s cur sive th o ught It i s i n .

 THE W ORL D AS IM AGINATION

experie n ce s u n mi sta k a bly reve a l the fa ct But .

1

we might l oo k fo r help fro m the grea ter mystic s o f

hi story a n d h o w much i n a ll seri o u sn e ss h a ve we
, , ,

o bt a i n ed 2

Th e my stic s be setti n g si n i s a re a l a n d a very

’

“
per si ste n t o n e He wa n t s t o e sc a pe the l a b o ur o f
.

cre a ti on . But there i s n o sh ort a n d e a sy wa y t o

”

perfect i n sight No te here th a t tho ugh the i n tel

.
,

lec t u a l s rel a ti on a l wa y o f thi n ki n g i s n o t fin a l it

’

bri n g s him i n to ever clo ser i n tim a cy with di vi n e

th o ught a n d a ll o ws him t o di sc over di ffere n ce s a n d
ide n titie s fa ili n g gra sp of which eve n the bea t i fic
,

vi si on itself woul d be sterile Were the u n devel o ped .

mystic t o exp a n d a while i n t o the experien ce sa y , ,

of a fin ite go d wo ul d the privilege pro fit him

,

much 2 Woul d he n ot be simply da zzled a n d

c onf u sed mumbli n g t o us a fterwa rd s of i n effa ble
,

mome n t s but bri n gi n g b a ck n o i n sight o f the r e

,

mot est va lue 2 A b a by i n a pict ur e g a llery ma y

h a ve very kee n vi su a l impre ssi on s but h o w much ,

o f aes thetic worth will this b a by c a rry a wa y a s c o m

p a red with the i n structed ob server 2 It i s a super

st i t i o n th a t t o ob serve i s p o ssible with o ut a n a mple

me a sur e o f pri or u n dersta n di n g To perceive a de .

q u a t ely o n higher level s we h a ve t o bri n g s piritu a l

we a lth t o the percepti o n .

Th e ide a l my stic wo ul d be a n i n tellectua l o f the

fully prep a red philo sophic a l sort He a l on e would .

u n der st a n d where the o thers bli n ded by exce ss o f ,

light would g a pe He a l o n e wo uld be a ble t o

, .

1
They i n clu de r m i
e oto a n a cs , it w ld
ou see m . Cf . J. H.

Leub a M i nd
, , Ja nu a ry 1905 , On the pyh s c ology of a gr p ou of

Christi a n mystics
”
.
 THE C I . . AN D IMMANENT P URPOS E 2 15

tra nsl a te experie n ces i n telligibly for the be n efit

hi s
o f other s . But bur n i n g a s might be hi s de sire t o
,

re a ch the light c a n we suppo se tha t fin a l succe ss is

,

an af a
f ir o f ye a r s— o r milli on s o f ye a r s 2 An d ,

s h ort o f complete exp a n si o n i n t o the C I wo ul d he . .

,

a tta i n a n y i n s ight which we c o uld reg a rd a s bey on d

“
critici sm a s beyon d i n tellectu a l reVIs1on 2
,

My tici sm a s it co n cern s us i n quirers is a tree

s , ,

which mu st be judged by i t s fruits An d SO fa r .

the se l a tter ha ve pro ved much le ss n umero us a n d

a ppeti si n g th a n th o s e pr o vided by pl a n ta ti o n s i n

the do m a i n of philoso phy Thi s S itua ti on i s qu a lified Ph il ph r

. os o e s

“ 1 a
by the fa ct th a t some of the grea te s t of i n tellectua l $ 5235;
1
,

phil osophers ha ve bee n a lso mysti cs t o the exte n t of ,

pro fiti n g by illumi ni sm whi ch revea ls n o vel horiz on s

a n d yet h a s n o a ssig n a ble r a tio n a l pe di gree We .

di scu ssed this m a tter u n der I n tuiti on a n d Hypo

the si s i n the I n troductio n a n d h a ve n othi n g
further to a dd to those Ob serva tio n s a t prese n t .

AS PE C T S OF THE CI
. . 4 . THE C I IN THE R EGARD
. .

or I MM AN EN T P URP OS E A N D C OS M IC EM OTION

§ 22 . Th e Co smic Im a gi n a ti o n
a s a ctive o n the ,

gre a t sc a le i s it s o wn i mma n en t purpose o r en d

, .

So me would sa y th a t it rea li ses this en d in pha se s

o f re st a n d cre a ti o n which m a y a lter n a te ; ju st a s

o n the mi n o r sc a le there Obt a i n i n a ll regio n s o f

Na tur e o scill a ti on s from ten si on to vi s vi va

“
,
”
fro m vi s v i va to ten si o n 1
a n d i n a n im a l a n d ,

1
Tyn da ll on th e Con stitution of Na tu r e. For t h e di s
cussi on of t hi s p
oi n t , of Pa t III Ch a II r p Na ture ( or the
r
. . . .
,

Na tu es ) bega n ”
.
 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION

hum a n se n tie n ts a ltern a tio ns o f wa ki n g a ctivity

a n d repo s e Thi s specul a ti o n i s worth c o n sider a ti o n
.

l a ter A belief i n u n c on sci o u s p urp ose h a s fo u n d

.

f a vour i n the eye s o f ide a li st s o f cert a i n sch ool s but ,

h a s n o pla ce i n o ur s cheme o f t hi n ki n g It bel on gs .

to myth ology Writers wh o fea r th a t t o c on cede the

.

re a lity o f c on sciou s c osmic pur p ose i s to co n cede the

rea lity o f a perso n a l Gro un d a n d who rec og n ise a t
the sa me time ( a s did S ch ope n h a uer ) th a t there
'

a r e eve n ts de sig n ed beyon d expre ssio n — the se

a r e m en wh o h a ve believed i n u n c ons cious p ur
”
p ose .There i s n o c a ll h o wever for so stra n ge a , ,

co n j un cti on of term s 1
Th e Co smic Im a gi n a tio n is .

a ss uredly co n sciou s but it is n ot a more perso n , .

An d rec og ni ti o n of imm a n e n t purpose is n ot the

sa me a s beli ef i n a m a n like de sig n er who de a l s with

a given world much a s a joi n er de a ls with bits of

wood .

Fichte who s e i nfin ite a ctivity i s n ot co nsci o us

,

but the pres upp ositi on of c on sci o u sn es s believed ,

i n u n c on sci o u s purp ose For him the Ab solute .

Ego h a s t o o verc o me a re sist a n ce set up withi n

it self a n d o n ly i n the c o ur se o f strivi n g a g a i n st thi s
,

o b st a cle d o e s it c o me to kn o w it s elf Thi s pra o .

tic a l ide a li sm a s it i s c a lled i ssue s i n a cult of the

, ,
“
m ora l order of the Un iver se In m ora l a ctio n .

which im s a t a victory o ver N ture a lwa ys to be

a a —
a cc o mpli shed a n d n ever c o mplete — die s the s upreme
en d . Here the n prim a lly u n co n sci o u s life bec o me s
, ,

a t l a s t m ore o r le ss c o n sci o u s i n s e n tie n t i n dividu a l s ,

1
r
The rr g m t g g gi whi h p rf rm
e a re a an e e n s, e . a a s en ne , c e o

th w rk f whi h th y w r d ig d with t
.

e o or i
c e e e es ne ou c o n sc ou sn ess.

B t t h y mb dy d ig
u e p rp wh
e ot t d d i mply
es n or u o se en con s ruc e an s

pr l g thi
o on s.
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

yet it i s with them a ll overrul i n g c on fli Ct ,

1
, how
ever i n s uch fa shio n a s furthers i t s
,
tota l im a gi n a l
life .

D iv i n e eg ois m
1
Do you sugge st tha t we a re i n view of a divi n e
egoism s ubmora l ra ther th a n supermora l 2 I a m
or
,

n ot prep a red to a dmit th a t egoi s m is su bmora l it

is on the c on tra ry a n e sse n ti a l a spect of mor a lity
, , .

Ho wever it is n o ego but the tota l movemen t of

, ,
”

cr ea ti on th a t i s i n que sti o n An d it ma y well be .

th a t this tot a l m o veme n t will vi n dic a te it self co m

—
pletely i n its re sul t i n a di vi n e c on summ a ti on
i n which eve n fin i te se n tie n cy is n ot che a ted or
lost .

THE C I . . IN P URP OS IVE CREATIVE EVOLU TION

Im a gi n a tio nis essen ti a lly tele ologic a n d it uses
the a chievemen t of o n e soo n a s a dep a rture for th a t
of the n ext No te th a t Berg son though he h a s .
,

n ot i n deed rea ched the co n cept of the C I h a s

, , . .
,

de n ied m ost e ffectively tha t the world order is the -

re a li sa ti o n o f a n etern a lly stereotyped pl a n illu ,

si v ely pre s e n ted i n the f o rm of time Evoluti o n .

cre a te s a s it g o es o n n ot o nl y the form s of life

, , ,

but the ide a s tha t will e n a ble the i n tellect t o u n der

sta n d it Were rea lity he writes the outcome o f
.
, ,

a p r e figur e d pl a n it o ught to sh o w grea ter a n d,

gre a ter h a rm on y a s it progre sse s It does n ot . .

Ag a i n Na ture i s more a n d better tha n a pla n in

,

c ours e o f rea li sa ti o n A pla n i s a term a ssig n ed to .

1
We h a v e yet to r
u n de sta nd clea rly th e r whi h th
ma nne i n c e

C I is
. . pr esen t i n th e di sco rd f N t r d it impli t d
o a u e an s ca e

s en ti en t lif e. This i s a v i ta l issue, d i d lt wi th i P rt III

an s ea n a .

at len gt h .
 THE C I . . AN D IMMAN ENT P URPOS E 2 19

a l a bo ur ; it cl ose s the future who se form it i n di

c a te s Before the evo luti on of life o n the c on tra ry
.
, ,

the p orta l s of the future rem a i n wide o pe n It i s a .

cre a ti on tha t g oe s on for ever i n virtue o f a n i n iti a l

m o veme n t Thi s m o veme n t c on stitute s the u n ity
.

of —
the orga n i sed world a prolific u ni ty of a n ,

i n fin ite rich n e ss s uperior to a n y tha t the i n tellect

,

c oul d dr e a m o f for the i n tellect is o nly on e of i t s

,
“
a spect s o r pr o duct s
1
I n tellect let u s a dd
.
”
,
”
,
“
n ever dre a m s of n or origi n a tes a n ythi n g : it i s
a c ollective na me for processe s a n d re s ults the ,

—
drivi n g p o wer i n a n d be hi n d which i s im a gi n a l .

An a lysis itself i s onl y selective im a gi n i n g o n the

s pur o f i n tere s t Th e co n cept judgme n t a n d i n fer
.
, ,

e n ce a r e a ll form s o f im a gi ni n g which serve the

i n terests of sen tie n t life ?

Th e m a ki n g of n ovelty c a n n ot ce a se so fa r a s Th W ld ,
e or
G u di ro n s n ot
cre a tive era s a re co n cern ed But a ll crea tive world l ly ti . so e cr ea v e.

pr o ce sses we sh a ll s urmi s e l a st for a fin ite time a n d

, ,

h a ve their co n summ a ti on s In the s e l a tter cre a tive .

improvi sa ti on i s eclip sed by the vi si on o f a chieve

m e n t the tr a va il of Becomi ng i s swa llo wed up i n the
,

Bei ng o f s ucce ssi o nle ss dur a ti o n A phil oso phic a l .

a dve n ture i n thi s qu a rter a w a it s u s s h o rtly .

Th epo wer whi ch gives ri se to the se cre a tive Im g i ti

,
a na on .
m
epi so des i s n ot a n i n determi n a te Berg soni a n Life B g i
t ’
no a ere

L if
er
, , s on a n
”
i t e, s a
but im a gi n a l : c on sci ou sn e ss with a c on te n t which W k— pl y ! OI
‘
or a

re semble s m ost n ea rly wh a t i n our surveys o f ,

hum a n experien ce we c a ll ima gi n a tio n Only c on

, .

crete ima gi n in g ca n hold the deta il of a Wo rld

1
Cr ea ti ve Evolu ti on , En glis h t a n sla tion , 110 r p .

w f
.

2
Issu es to be dealt i th ully i n the se cond v olume of thi s
se ri es .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
Sy stem ; o nl y im a gi n in g over la p s a ll phe n ome n a ,

such a s we a r e a cqu a i n ted with t o the required ,

degree An y ki n d o f p sychic a l a cti vi ty ca n be

.

derived a t a n y r a te pl a u sibly fro m a ctive im a gi n a

, ,
“ ” “ “
ti o n will impul se , i n sti n ct mem ory ,
”
,
”
,
”

“ “ “ “
e mo
” ” ”
percepti o n co n cepti on, re a son i n g , ,

t i on a l mo o ds etc a r e c a ses i n p oi n t ) ; Na ture

, .
,

it self pre se n t s n o di fficulty On the o ther h a n d .

,

n o o n e c a n a ttempt the rever s e ki n d o f o per a ti o n

with a n y sho w o f succe ss Hegel tried t o exhibit .

“
everyt hi n g a s di sguise s o f l o gic a l c o n cepti on
writ la rge for th a t i s rea lly wha t h i s system
,

me a n s Th e experime n t wa s see n t o fa il a s soon

.

“
as the o rder of c o n cepts wa s c on fron ted
s eri o u sly with the order of c o n crete empiric a l
re a lity Yo u c a nn o t derive im a gi n a ti on fro m a n y
.

o n e o f its a lleged di sguises with a n y sho w of

pl a usibility .

S uppo e th a t we were to c on sider the story o f on e

s

o the m a n y World S y stems

f — a n d there a r e perh a p s
-
, ,

—
i n defin itely m a n y which m a rk cre a tive epi sode s i n
the C I There i s n o stere o typed u n a lter a ble pl a n t o
. .
,

be re a li sed : there will be a flo o d o f im a gi n a l n o velty

which i s t o m ul tiply i n a ll directi on s a wit n e ss n ot
t o the p o verty but t o the fecu n di ty of the cre a tive
, ,

I D EA Thi s Wo rld S ystem o f ch a n gi n g a spect s will

.
-

c o n t a i n l a vi sh experime n t or fortuit o u s va ri a ti o n
( s o-
c a lled ) fr o m the m o me n t o f the prim aev a l
a ppul se o n wa rd An d bec a u se there i s im a gi n a l
.
,

experime n t there will be elimi n a ti on o n the gre a t

,

s c a le ; a pr o ce ss o f Na tur a l S electi o n w hi ch will

s c a ve n ge Na tur e a n d Hi st o ry o f the f a ilure s a n d

m on stro sitie s whi ch thi s tri a l a n d error procedure

i n vo lve s .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
Ea ch i n iti a l o W rld S y tem pre e t to
s s n con sci o u s
-
,

n e ss th a t a wa r e s it thr o ugh a n d thr o ugh ma y be

, ,

tre a ted a s a si n gle thought o r s ubordi na te mi n o r

cosmic whole So m a n y World S ystem s so m a n y
.
-
,

s uch si n gle th o ught s An d n ow a c o mplic a ti o n o f

.

the utm o st imp orta n ce for the un der st a n di n g o f

m a n y da rk que sti on s superve n e s Th e germi n a l .

World S ystem s ubordi na tes ha r mon i ous ly the con tent

-

a spects whi ch we ma y ca ll i ts members it i s a ”

o n e th a t is m a n y but the on e domi na tes

,
But with .

the evolutio n o f Na ture the m a n y c o me to triumph

i n their tur n a n d h a ve a free swi n g Na ture bec omes .

a m a n y th a t is o n e ; the ma n y domi na ti ng An d .

with thi s self a ssertio n o f the m a n y Na t ure te n d s t o

-
,

pur sue a c a reer o f i t s o wn ; t o bud off a n d bre a k

a w a y fr o m the p a re n t C I th o ugh the ruptur e ca n
. .
,

n ever be c o mplete It te n ds t o bec o me a more or less

.

i ndependen t mi nor whole whi ch, at the outset, is con

trolled by i ts pa rts , i nwhi ch p a rts a g a i n multiplicity , ,

r
Th e so u ce of and l oo se n e ss preva il Thi s i s the source o f the
b
t h e ac ch a n t i c
d i sc or ds of
.

b a cch a n tic di sc ords o f Na t ure which a r e c o n ti n ued ,

Na t ur e , a n d
f
sen ti en t l i e
a s we k n o w t o o ur c o s t i n to a n ima l a n d hum a n ,

se n tie n t life S till the whole n e ss or u ni ty of Na ture

.

.
,

is n ever quite a b oli s hed a n d with the progre ss o f

evolutio n it r e a ssert s itself m ore a n d more The
-
.

im a gi n a l Na ture a lmost bre a k s a wa y a n d run s a

—
c ours e Of its o wn i t s p a rt s a lmost bre a k a wa y fro m
—
it a n d fro m o n e a n other but de s pite the d o mi n a , ,

ti o n o f the m a n y it rem a i n s a thought n eve r quite

,

foreig n t o the C I It i s a tho ught like a p o em o r

. .

r om a n ce o f my priva te fa n cy which o rigi n a ted by ,

me sub sequ en tly de vel op s i n de pe n de n tly o f my

,

will but which de spi t e thi s free self develo pme n t

, ,
-
,

rem a i n s a t b o tto m my po sse ssi o n a n d s ubject t o

, ,

my s wa y Th e progre ss o f thi s o r th a t World

.
 THE C I . . AND IMMANENT PU POS E R 22 3

Sy tem i n clude s gra du a l re a ss ertio n of the un ity

s

a spect a s o verr uli ng the m a n y

?
An d the ge n era l
progre ss o f di ffere n t World S ystem s m a ke s for their -

even tua l retur n t o h a rm on y i n the consci o u sn e s s o f

the C I For the a ll i n clu sive Im a gi n a l I D EA do e s I th i - wn
m ann e r
. . n e r o

n ot l o se i t s tho ught s h o wever freely they s eem t o

'

develo p a n d if the m a n y mu st ha ve their tur n

, , ,

they a l so fulfil th o ugh i n thei r own ma n ner the , ,

imm a n e n t purp o se Of i t s s upe ri or life .

N te th a t i n the se im a gi n a l World S ystems Wh y W ld

o -
, a or

which a lmo st brea k a wa y fro m the C I we fin d 5552552 2 3

1 ”
8
. .
,

the r a di c a l expl a n a ti o n o f the da rk side of re a lity 23 15 35553

1

5 .

Ea ch a t the o ut set i s a b a cch a n tic im a gi n a l p o wer i m g i i g ,

a n n

bre a ki n g eve n withi n itself i n to mul tipli city a n d

, ,

di sc ord It i s i ma gi n i ng whi ch ha s a ll but esca ped

.

f r om co n tr ol a n d i s u n a ble to con tr ol i tself It i s .

,

c o n seque n tly i n m a n y re spect s a n i nf ern o a n ight

, ,

m a re co n t a i ni n g evils which seem to pollute the

,

Un iverse .

But preci sely bec a u se it o rigi n a te s i n thi s wa y Th C I i

, ,
e . . s
m
n o Wo rld S ystem c o mpr o mi se s the gr a n deur o f the
t no co
-
p mi d by ro se

Co smic Im a gi n a ti on : th a t o ce a n o f the i n fi nite i n

which world evoluti on s a re mere epi sode s Con -
.

serva ti ve h a rm o ni o u s Bei n g overflo ws i n to crea ti ve

Bec omi n g we h a ve the Met a physic a l Fa ll of which

— ,

a n a cc o u n t will be ve n tured i n Pa rt III There a r e .

bor n a n d a s we sh a ll see a t a n i n evita ble price

, , , ,

1
It is to this sub rdi
rfr i o n a ti o n of th e ma ny tha t Hegel e e s, n

th l gi l l g
eo o h
ca y w r g rd th w rld l
an ua g w he, en e sa s e e a e o a so

as r l d by Di
u e id v nei Pr
i mplyi g t h t th di i i ov e n ce n a e v s on

b tw th p rt f th w rld i ti lly br gh t b k d
e e en e a s o e o s co n nu a ou ac , an

m d
a f rm bl t th ity fr m whi h i t h i d
e c on o a e o e un o c as ss u e

( W ll aL gi f H l
a ce ,
g D t r i f toh N t
c oi p e e , oc ne o e o on , .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
mi n or systems a t fir st n ot c on troll ed fully by them
s elves , but ret a i n i n g the ima gi n a l spo n t a n eity o f
their sou rce He n ce m a n y t orme n ts a n d te a r s a n d
.
,

the de sp a ir o f wr iters a ttempti n g a The odi cy ,

s h oul d they be i n te n t o n di s cer ni n g a di vi n e pl a n

m a ni fe st thr o ughout a ll regi on s o f Na ture a n d
Hi story .

It is the p a rt th a t revolts so t o spe a k a g a i n st , ,

the Whole a n d i n tr o duce s the Fa ll a n d the Fa ll ,

o n ce begu n must t a ke i t s c o ur s e
,
An on the r e su b .
-

o rdi n a tio n o f the p a rts i s sl o wly c o n trived

h ow we sh a ll n ote But this gre a t c osmic struggle
.

Th e h a s i t s c orresp on di n gly gre a t c o mpe n sa ti o n In .

compen sa ti on
the pro ce ss by w hi ch the r e sub ordi n a ti o n i s effected
.

-
,

i s a ccompli shed a l so the evoluti on a n d perfecti o n

, ,

o f c on s ci o u s i n dividu a l s .

We sh a ll di scu ss the i n iti a l sta ges o f the re

s ub o rdi n a tio n i n co n n ecti o n with the evo luti o n o f

Na ture .

THE CI . .
,
A L S O, HA S AN A FF E C TI VE S ID E . ON
C OS M IC E M OTION

23 . A
merely dry un e m oti on a l c og ni tive life , ,

wo uld be o n e o f the m ost utterly u n de sira ble thi n g s .

It i s a defect o f o u r pre se n t wo rld th a t the i n t e l

l e ctu a l h a s ofte n so c ol o urle ss a n d u n se n timen ta l
a so ul We ll it i s o f c o ur se n ot t o decide i n tel
.
, ,

lectu a l i ssue s o n the m e re pr o mpti n g of em o ti o n s

a n d with the purp o se o f thi nk i n g a ccur a tely it m a y
, ,

be a dvi sa ble so metim e s t o still em o ti o n s a s much a s

we c a n But a p a rt fro m thi s p a ssi n g purp ose it i s
.
, ,

a blemi sh a n d a very gra ve o n e

,
n o t t o be m o ved ,
226 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION
the conserva ti ve side o f re a lity i s repres e n ted eve n
i n this sphere o f f a ct ; p a ssi o n a s Ribot Ob serves , ,

“
is i n the a ffective o rder wh a t a n imper a tive ide a
”

( idé e fi )
xe i s i n the i n tellectu a l o rder .

We cl a ssify the se mode s of the a ff ective life more

o r le s s te di o u sly a n d un sa ti sf a ct o rily ; for the s h a de s

a n d c o mplic a ti o n s of ple a sure s a n d p a i n s a dj e c ,

t i v e s a s they a r e o f o ther c o n te n t i n defini tely v a ried

i n di ffere n t per son s a n d a t di ffere n t mome n t s i n
the sa me pers on a r e t oo n umero us for the p sycho
,

lo gi st to dea l with Fo r the purp os es o f met a

.

physic s h o wever we ca n s teer cle a r of wea ri so me

, ,

cl a ssific a ti ons a n d c on ce n tra te our a tte n ti o n o n

fea tur es commo n to a ll the mode s a like .

We n ote d previou sly tha t plea s ures m a rk furthered ,

a nd p a i n s ( which a tte n d u nre solve d c on fli ct s )

thwa rted p sychic a l a ctivity Ribo t the p sycho
,
.
,

logi st o f the em o ti o n s l o oki n g a t the m a tte r fr o m

,

the st a n dp o i n t o f physi ologic a l p sycho logy a n d ,

us i n g the word te n den cie s t o c o ver both the

phys i olo gic a l a n d the p sych ologic a l a spects o f the
phe n o men a sa ys th a t the a ffective li fe exi st s a ccord
,

”
i n g a s te n de n cie s a r e sa ti s fied or o pp os ed We .

h a ve to a dd here th a t physi ol ogic a l pro ce sse s

c a rry u s i n to the re a lm o f tho se mi nor sen ti ents
which u n derlie the o rg a n i sm Th e fur thered a n d .

thwa rted live s of tho se s e n tie n t s a r e reflected in o ur

experie n ce O ur m ore crude j o ys a n d s ufferi n g s o f
.

the fle sh a n d speci a l s e n se s might be s a id to i n di

c a te the m a ssed a ff ective s ta te s Of th ose mi n o r
s e n ti e n t s ; i n n umer a ble h ost s o f such exi sten t s
bei n g c on n ected e g with the ple a sures o f mu scul a r
,
. .
,

a ctivity or the pa i n o f a bur n .

 COSMIC EM OTION 227

Th e cen tra l poi n t of i n tere st for us n o w is tha t a n Th e cen tr a l

a ffe c t l v e kfc s eem s t o ex i s t whe n ever

O O O 0 0 O t f
“
whi ch a re a lwa ys p sychi ca l a re s a ti s fied or o pp o sed
, ,
”

furthered or thwa rted .

We ha ve a lre a dy co n sidered the Co smic Im a gi n a Th ff t i e a ec ve

ti on i n thi s light ( Pa rt II Ch a p 1 Th e C I. . . . .
,

1 1ty
ima gi n a l a ctivity mu st be em o ti on a l i n a n f; igfi f§1
1
as , s
2 “
emi n e n t s en se An d reg a rded o n it s h a rm on i o u s
.
0 0 11 8

c ons erva tive side a s the o ce a n of the i n fin ite it i s

, ,

an u n impeded a n d s urely h a ppy a ctivity We .

c a nn ot e n ter i n to the depths of it s em oti on a l bei n g .

Perha p s i n o ur mo st divi n e m ome n ts we a tta i n

s o me f a i n t me a s ure o f —
i sight n ota bly i n certa i n
n

s uper n o rm a l a n d r a re experie n ce s o n which I will

n o t dwell But i n the m a i n we a r e forced t o thi n k

.
, ,

here i n a dull symb olic wa y We must fa ll b a ck .

o n the phra se the C I i s i n e ffa bly ha ppy i e i t s

. .
,
”
. .

h a ppi n e ss i s such a s to re n der predic a te s ( which 1

imply like n e ss to o ur experie n ce s ) a b s urd If I .

a n swer the que sti o n Wha t i s thi s ha ppi n ess 2

I ha ve t o reply It i s tha t a n d si n ce the tha t
, ,
”

i s so me ki n d o f fa m ili a r hum a n h a ppi n e ss I a m ,

wa sti n g my time The ki n d o f h a ppi n e ss a ffirmed

.

will be i n defin itely t oo petty a n d a l so a la s too , , ,

fla t
'

. To kn o w the c o smic h a ppi n e ss a dequ a tely

o n e mu st live it a n d th a t i s a n o utl oo k n o t ex a ctl
, y
rea li sa ble in the n e a r future .

Th e C I i s n ot a ctive bec a u se it e n j oys it e n j o ys

. .

as an a cc o mp a n ime n t of it s a ctivity In the .

a ctivity o f re st o r i t s c o n templ a tive

,
c o n serva tive ,

ha rm on y the ec sta sy i s c omme n s ura te with the

,

a ctivity . If we like phr a se s we m a y s p e a k o f t h e ,

be a t ific vi si o n but n o thin g is c o n ve ye d thereby

, .
 THE WORLD G
AS IM A IN ATION

There a re more thi n g s in the Un iverse th a n

”
vi si on .

But wh a t o f the cr ea ti ve ep i sodes in process which

2 They
”
st a i n the white r a di a n ce o f eter ni ty

ma y s eem t r i fles ripple s o f n o m o m e n t o n the o c e a n

,

o f the i n fi n ite Nevertheless they must be c on

.
,

s i der e d
. In s o fa r a s the C I i s a ctive i n cre a tive . .

evoluti on it i n clude s a va riety of World S ystem s

,
-

a l o n g with which ( if o u r o wn s y stem i s typic a l ) go

n umberle ss evil s The s e sy s tem s with their h o st s

.
,

o f s e n tie n t s h a ve a lmo st broke n a wa y fr om the

,

—
p a re n t Ima gi n a l I D EA their Fa ther in he a ve n
a n d the f a ct h a s i t s s ig n ific a n ce i n t hi s di s cu ss i o n .

But they ha ve n ot br o ke n a wa y who lly For still .

,

pre se n t t o it s co n sci o usn e ss they c ol o ur it a n d fo rm

,

i n their t o t a lity a n o vel a n d e n thr a lli n g r o m a n ce .

Leib ni tz c omp a red God t o the a rti st wh o employs

di sc olo ured s h a de s or di sc orda n t so u n ds t o heighte n
the c olo uri n g o r the h a rm o n y o f the wo rk o f a r t ,

s o th a t it g a i n s in be a uty thr o ugh wh a t i s it self

Ar e we t o s a y th a t the perfect a rti s t
”
hide o us .

give s h is Wo rld S ystem s a free s wi n g to a llo w the

-
,

ri s e i n u n divi n e c o n diti o n s o f se n tien t s who se

, ,

s t o ry thr o w s h i s perfecti on i n t o relief 2 Note tha t

the s e se n tie n ts de spite the differe n ces o f their
,

con ten ts ,
a r e i n re s pect o f bei n g con sci ou s a ll the
, ,

s a me the sa me t oo a s the c on sci o us I D EA Con

, , .

sc i ou sn e ss i s the o n e ge n ui n e u n iver s a l At b ott o m .

the I D EA i s we a vi n g a ro m a n ce for it self Thi s .

r o m a n ce t oo a s we s ha ll s urmi se i s o n e of Lo ve
, , ,

a n d h a s n o perm a n e n t m a rtyr s An d a wa re d fr o m .
,

a ce n tr a l p o i n t Of view it i s s ple n di d n o t the l e s s so

, ,

bec a u se it t a ke s s uch dre a d ch a n ce s a n d ri sks Itj is .

n o t pl a yed or a ll o wed o n li n e s th a t ma r the

 THE WORLD AS IMAG IN ATION

whole whi ch i s bei ng evolved These se n tie n ts .

,

ho wever c olo ur the wider co smic life i n which they

,

flo a t a n d c on tribute a s a lre a dy sugge sted to , ,

diversify a n d e nr ich the pl a y o f cre a tio n .

A cre a tive i v lvi g billi o n s of Wo rld S yste m s

e ra , n o n -
,

more o r le ss c ut Off fro m on e a n o ther i s a n i n cide n t ,

o n ly i n the pl a s tic life o f the I D EA .

I ha ve u sed the term pl a y a n d the wo rd s eem s , ,

i n deed stra n gely a ppo site The wo rld i s a g a me

,
.

whi ch im a gi n a ti o n pla ys with it self The I D EA i s .

n o s olem n thi nki n g of th o ught pro totype o f a ,

”

grim dull pro fe s s or wh o dri ed up o u t o f a ll se m

, ,

bl a n ce t o m a n hoo d mumble s l ogic a l lore ,

no

a s cetic p o wer l oo ki n g a s ka n ce on j o ys which it h a s

itself cre a ted The I D EA i s a n a rti st whose po em

.
,

i n so fa r a s he i s n ot e n j o yi n g a cc o mpli s hed be a uty ,

—
but cre a te s i s evoluti o n He cre a te s too a s o n e .
, ,

wh o mu st le a ve n o so urce of i ns pira ti on u n t a pped .

An d h i s wo rk i s c o mplic a ted by the wo rld im a gi ni n g -

w hi ch a s we sa w run s a m ok A tho ught a t o n ce

, ,
.
,

s ple n di d a nd fe a rsome c o n cern s wh a t a wo rld , ,

wo ve n i n thi s wa y by im a gi n a ti on might hold ,

.

We a g a i n like the supreme a rti st o ught to quit

, , ,

o ur selve s i n o ur a dve n t ur e s i n the s pirit o f s p o rt .

Pl a y bei n g b a sic a n d duty work ,

1
a nd , ,
”

sa crifice limita ti o n s o f o ur bei n g of va lue o n ly ,

for de sir a ble e n d s n ot o therwi s e t o be re a ched ,

a n ethic o f verit a ble freedo m seem s i n view We .

,

t o o o ught t o live pl a yf t
, a s little h a mpered by

1
W rk m y bo a e defin ed as r
mo e or less disa g r bl eea e

a cti on whi h i m c s a ea ns to wr a d somethi n g else . W rk o ,

”

so -ca ll d whi h i
e ,pl c s easa nt a nd v a lued for i ts o w k n sa e,
 THE C I . . AN D BEAUTY
m a sters a utho ritie s, ,
an d tra ditio n s as ci rcum
s ta n ce s a ll o w .

THE C I . . AN D B EAU TY
We h a ve m a de me n ti o n o f
24 . Be a uty a Th b ea uti ful , e

word which is used ordi n a rily with a n extreme Im gi a n e ,

va gue n e ss of mea ni n g a n d o f which no defin iti o n yet ,

a ttempted h a s wo n ge n er a l a s se n t Th e liter a ture

?

o f the s ubject i s simply bewilderi n g a n d tire so me ,

peda n t s r un a mok a n d di sa gree here a t their wo rst .

It i s with so me di ffi de n c e th a t we submit yet a n other

worki ng de fini ti on of o ur o wn But cle a r a n d .

ho n e st t hi nki n g forbid s eva si on o f a di ffic ul ty a n d , ,

a cc o rdi n gly we will a n ticip a te a little a n d ta ke

,

the plu n ge .

Be a uty i s n ot a di sti n ct ki n d o f ple a s ure n or

i s it so me u n iver s a l ho m oge n eou s exi ste n t o f which
”
Objects c a lled , be a utiful p a rta ke I s eem to Th , . e mea n i n g
l a bel be a utiful a n y o bject o f s e n se o r f a n cy

which I e n j o y i n a cert a i n wa y An y content or .

“
content comp lex i s bea u tifu l if I ca n R ES T i n i t
”
-

wi th a j oy sa ti sfied wi thi n the li mi ts of the comp lex ?

Thi s defin iti o n c o ver s the wh o le r a n ge o f the be a uti

”
ful fro m it s m ost l o wly pha se s i n crude a ni ma l
,

se n s a ti o n ( e g the aesthetic e n j o yme n t o f a gl a ss o f

. .

po rt ) up to experie n ce s o f Tur n er s pictur e s su n sets ’

, ,

sto n e s of Ve n ice symphoni es sta tua ry lo vely

, , ,

wome n t he dra m a c o smic order a n d the re st

, , ,
.

1
Thi s is the b rd u en of a lon g la men ta ti on i n Tols toi
’
s Wha t
i s Ar t 1?
2
Ass ocia ti ons, s u c h a s c on t ri b t l u e so a v i s hl
y to t he o d wr
wi tch e y of r p
oe try, gr
e a test o f th rt f ll
e a s, a r
o f cou se , wi thin t h e

pl
,

co n te n t -com ex .
 THE W OR L D AS IMAGINATION

Th e upreme sta n da rd o f the be a utiful i n terpreted

s ,

o n the s e li n e s i s the a cti v i ty of r est wherei n the C I

, . .

a wa r e s perfect a n d therefore u n ch a n gi n g co n te n t
, ,
.

Fi n ite vi sio n s of the be a utiful lie i n defini tely

bel o w thi s level o f a wa ri n g The se fi n ite aesthetic .

experie n ce s a r e petty i n sc o pe They a r e viti a ted .

by the ugly a spect s of the imperfect thin g s a wa r e d .

Eve n the hum a n b o dy which Hegel thin ks the ,

m ost be a utiful revel a ti o n o f the Ab solute to se n se ,

i s s qu a lid a n d ugly i n p a rt They s u ffer a l so .

, ,

fro m the fa ct tha t the thin g s c a n n ot ordin a rily be

e n j o yed a t a stroke Thu s we ha ve a ll but lo st the
.

beg in n in g of a Beeth o ve n sympho n y whe n we a r e

he a ri n g its cl os e o ur p oor mem ory n ot sufi c ie n tly
a s s i s ti n g percepti o n Simila rly i n c a ses of a rti stic
.

a chieveme n t s like Pa ra di se L o st the

,
Ili a d ,
”
,
”

o r eve n triumph s o f a rchitecture a n d s culpture the ,

p o we r t o a wa re the eleme n ts of the c o mplex a ll

together i s sa dl y l a c ki n g Thu s a ctivity of re st .

i n the be a utiful sa ve o n the l o wer level s of se n s e

, ,

i s de n ied u s Th e be a utiful o bject i s imperfect

.

a nd , further the experie n ce is sa pped a n d spoilt

,

by the t oo i n si ste n t flo wi n g o f time It re s ult s .

th a t fini te experie n ce s o f be a uty a s o f truth ,

”
,
”

a r e m a ke s hift s ; a t their best sugge stive o nl y o f

so methi n g better i n a regi o n rem o ved fr o m m o rt a l

ke n . There i s n o s ure c on sol a ti on i n s uch ex

p e r i e n c e s fo r o n e i n revolt a g a i n st a n u n sa ti s
fa ctory world ?

1
Th e s pon ta n ei ty of hu ma n Art , r e a chi n
g by
e on d t he
lev el of th e b f
ea u ti ul a tt a i n ed in Na t u r e , is of o bv i ou s mo men t

to ou r p
ma i n h y oth esi s a n d mu st be t ea te d, a cco n n r rdi gly i ,

our v olu me on th e i n di v i dua l In Art we exe c s e a a u . ri pl yf l

fr
eedom w r
hi ch i s c ea ti v e i n ma n ne s o v i ous ev en to t he r b
 CH AP TER III

ON CE R
TA IN MP R AN
I O T T AS P E CTS OF THE C I . .

C ON S ID E RE DP R SE A A TE LY ( conti n ued )

5 . THE CI . .
, TIM E AN D S PA C E

1 . THE Co smic Ima gi n a ti o n by s upp ositi o n , ,

“
do e s n ot exi st i n time a n d s pa ce It exha ust s .

re a lity a n y a lleged o ther e xi ste n ce i s i n truth , ,

p a rt o f its c on te n t i a p a rt o f tha t whi ch it a wa res

, . . .

Time a n d s pa ce a r e t o be u n ders to o d a s i n so me ,

m a nn er a spect s o f thi s c o n te n t Mod es i n which

, .

thi s c o n te n t is pre sen t t o the C I a re n o w i n teresti n g . .

us .

We ha ve ur ged i n o ur a dvo c a cy o f idea li stic

,

re a li sm th a t the c o n te n t of the C I ca n be viewed

,
. .

a s well i n the wa y pr o per t o ide a li s m a s i n th a t

pro per to re a li s m Thu s thi s c o n te n t c a n be re

.

g a rded a s o f on e ch a ra cter a n d ti ssue with wh a t

we a ll a wa re i n tim a tely a s o ur percept s a nd
“
Thi s i s a n ide a li stic a ttitude On the
”
ide a s . .

other h a n d the c on te n t i s n o mere sum o f s ta te s

,
‘

o r m o dific a ti o n s of c o n s ci o u sn e ss but i s r a ther pre ,

s e n t to it Con sci o u sn e ss which i s a ctive is the

.
, ,

C I viewed a s a c on ti n uum It i s the ide n tity i n

. . .

which the m a ni fold o r di ff ere n ce s of co n te n t a r e cc

a wa r e d a n d i n virtue o f which they a r e m o re th a n
2 34
 TIME

di screte exi sten ts This co n te n t is a s rea l as

.

i s c o n sci o usn es s Thu s you c a n rega rd the C I i n

. . .

a n ide a li stic o r a rea li s tic vei n a s yo u like s ubj ect , ,

to the a dmi ssi on tha t thin gs ( while n ot your e xp eri

e n ce i n the s ubjective me a n in g of the word ) a re
a lwa ys s uch th a t they a r e o r c a n be experi en ced or

a wa r e d .It i s n eedful to rec a ll the se c on sidera tio ns

i n view o f wha t i s t o foll o w We a r e n o t c o mmitted .

to a n a dve n tur e which a im s a t a s ubj e ctivi st or

Ka n ti a n i n terpreta ti on o f time a n d s p a ce .

Time p a ce imp lic a te t h e ge n era l t o pic o f 1

a nd
1

3 552 23t
s 1 0
1 1 1
”
rel a ti on s a s yet i n suffi cie n tly tre a ted But the p
, mp l . s a c e co e

imp orta n ce which they wea r i n the eye s of a critic 23525225

11 2 1 7

11 11
a s fo rci n g a phil o so phy to decl a re it s elf ju stifie s a 82 °

prelimi n a ry di scu ssi o n of them a p a rt They c o mpel .

,

i n deed st a teme n t s so revel a t ory o f a phil o so phic a l

,

s t a n dp oi n t th a t a fter c o n side ri n g them

, on e ha s ,

gra sped the very spirit o f the belief c o n cern ed .

Co ns ider for i n sta n ce wh a t the D ur ee Réelle h a s

’

, ,

me a n t for Berg soni sm .

We will begi n with a prelimi na ry trea tmen t of

time .

M en ti on h a s b e en m a de o f the C I ( or a s we . .
,

h a ve a l so c a lled it the Im a gi n a l I D EA or Gro un d )

,

a s a ctive i n t wo m a i n wa ys t o wit a s c o n templ a , ,

tive or c ons erva tive a n d a s cre a tive or evoluti o n a ry .

Ma n y pro blems a s yet unsolved a re ra i se d by thi s

, ,

view But to fa cilita te the c on sidera ti o n o f time

.
,

let u s suppo se the C I i n a complete r e st pha se . .

-
,
 THE W ORLD AS IM AGINATION
i . e . in
ctivity which is re st i n re spect of its co nte n t
a

which do e s n ot ch a n ge Wh a t st a n di n g if a n y .
, ,

h a s time i n the C I a s st a tic a lly a ctive i n thi s

. .

m a nn er 2 If we l oo k a t the pro blem i n thi s wa y ,

we sh a ll re a ch o ur solutio n quite smoo thl y .

We sh a ll c o mme n ce by rejecti n g o utright the

ficti on o f timele ssn e ss critici s m s o f which h a ve ,

bee n s uggested a lre a dy ( Pa rt II Ch a p I . .

Timele ssn e ss i s a Co mm a n d Co n cept ( Pa rt I -

.

Ch a p II 4 ) t o which there i s n o a n s wer i n g ex

. .

p er i en ce .

Th e
m a i n a spect s o f time a s a ctu a lly p e rceived
t i me , d e v oi d a n d fa n cied by u s fini t e s a r e dur a ti o n ch a n ge a n d , ,

( let it n o t be o verl oo ked a s is cu s t o m a ry ) s im u l

t a n ei t y More a cc ur a tely there a re c onten t s which
.
,

we a wa re a s e n duri n g o r l a sti n g exi sti n g o n e a fter ,

the o ther a n d exi sti n g a t the sa me time O b serve .

tha t i n the s e experie n ce s the re a lity a wa r ed i s n ever

, ,

b a re time but h a s a lwa ys a filli n g of pro te a n stu ff

,

— c ol o ur s t a ste s ple a s ure s p a i n s re soluti o n s

, , g e o , , ,

metric a l li n es verb a l symbol s o f a b stra ct re a so ni n g

,

o r wh a t n o t — which i s s a id t o be determi n ed i n
time Ba re time i s n ever i n tuited a s a n i n
.

fi n ite n ece ssa ry co n ti n uum a cc or di n g to a n o ld

phil o sophic a l super stitio n Percepti o n a n d fa n cy .

S h o w u s t hi s fil li n g a n d i t s m a n n er o f a ppe a ri n g .

Th e p o pul a r a n d the m a them a tic a l c on ceptu a l i n -

v e n t i o n s a b o ut a n e n tity time a r e sub seque n t

t o fir st percepti o n s a n d f a n cie s ; a n d a r e a n o vel
a dditi o n t o experie n ce a s it c a me o rigi n a lly We .

mu st n ot a ll o w the se hum a n i n ve n ti o n s t o i nfl ue n ce
the a cc o u n t of ti me conten t a s it Obt a i n s o n a level
-

where co n ceptio n s a r e n ot required .

 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

heteroge n eous m ome n ts of co n te n t which i n ter

pen etra te thi s i s to sa y th a t the c on ti n uity o f
the C I which i s cons cious n e ss o verrule s a n d
. .
, ,

i n clude s a m a nifold c on ten t Th e C I i s a like o n e . . .

a n d ma n y but with u n ity do mi n a n t An d n ow

, .

n o te the fir s t re a di n g o f the time rid dl e The se -

.

en dur i n g co n te n t s a r e together — but o n ly thro ugh

the consci o u sn e ss i n whi ch they a re co a wa r e d -
.

They e n dur e sim ul t a n e o u sly bec a use their plur a lity ,

i s gr a sped by the c on ti n ui ty or c o n s ci o u sn ess o f the

CI. . Co n s ci o u sn e ss i s to this exte n t the source , ,

o f the fu n da me n t a l f o rm o f time a s im ul t a n eity o r

togethern e ss o f co n te n t s tha t simply e n dure More .

briefly the gra sp of plura l c o n te n ts by con sci o usn es s

,

i s st a tic time .

St tic time i s thu s a m a nn er i n which c on te n t s a r e

a

a wa r e d by the C I But thi s i s n ot the o n ly m a nn er

. .

o f the time so rt i n which c o n te n t s ca n be a wa r e d .

Th e time order of cha ngeless s i multa n ei ty bel o ng s

-

t o the a ctivity of the C I co n sidered a p a rt fro m . .

,

cre a tive epi so des We h a ve n ow to co n sider a no ther

.

ki n d o f time order tha t of successi on Th ere will

-
, .

be a cert a i n c on ti n ui ty a t the worst eve n here for ,

cre a ti o n de spite the b a ccha n tic di scords o f the

,

Wo rld S yst e m s which a lmost brea k a wa y fro m

-

their gr o u n d ( Pa rt II Ch a p II s till t a ke s. . .

pl a ce withi n the C I S h a ll we fin d here Bergson s . .

’

re a l dura ti on a s tha t i n which e a ch form flo ws o ut

o f previ o u s f o rm s whi le a ddi n g to them so methi ng
,

n e w a n d i s expl a i n ed by them a s much a s it expl a i n s

,

them 2 1”
We sh a ll fin d th a t cr ea tive im a gi ni n g
i s ever givi n g birth t o such n e w fo rm s but we sh a ll ,

pl a ce thi s ch a n geful a cti vi ty withi n the wider life

1
See Cr ea ti v e Evoluti on , En g tra n s .
, pp . 3 82 - 3 .
 THE REALIT Y AN D M EANIN G OF T IM E 2 39

of the C I which c a n cre a te but a ls o no t crea te

. .
, ,

the n ew Th e Uni verse se ems n o t wholly n or

.
,

n ece ssa rily cre a tive ,

Im a gi n in g i s freedo m n ot a n
.
,

e nf orced a lteri n g o f re a lity whi ch c a n n ever sho w a

p a u se An d Bergson s further belief tha t cre a tive
.
’

”
ch a n ge ha s n o step s irre solva ble i n to cha n ge s i s
, ,

o n e which we sh a ll be u n a ble to e n dor s e .

ON T HE R EAL IT Y AN D M E AN IN G OF

TIM E - SUC C E S S IO N

2 We sha ll a ttempt t o sho w l a ter tha t time

.

s im ul t a n eity i s the stem fr o m whi ch time s ucce s si o n -

a n d c o exi s te n ce ( sp a ce ) a like proceed

-
bei n g fir st ,

born a m on g i n ve n ti on s thr o wn Off by the C I i n the . .

pro ce ss of crea ti on or evoluti on a s it i s more usu a lly

termed to da y But we a re de a li n g n ow o nl y with
-
.

cert a i n s ep a ra tely rega rded a spect s o f the C I An . .

“
a cc o u n t of the c o nn exi o n o f the se three
”
form s ,

i e m a nn ers o f a ppe a ri n g o f c on te n t will be deferred

. .
,

u n til the evoluti on of Na ture is di scussed .

It i scus tom a ry to overl ook or n eglect seri o us ly

the a spects of time a s simulta n eity a n d cha n gele ss
dur a ti on a n d to fix a tte n ti on m a i nl y o n time a s
ch a n ge a s wha t Mill de scribe s a s a n i n defini te
,

o f s ucce ssi o n s u n equa l i n

”
s ucce ssi o n ra pidity 1
.

Th e i n c omplete n e ss a n d r a gged edge s of the s e

va ni shi n g succe ssi on s ha ve a nn oyed philosophers
fro m the da ys of the Greeks o n wa rd Ju st c o nsider .

wha t a m e re fra gme n t of the Un iver se swirl s thr o ugh

a wretch e d w
my sp e ci ou s pre se n t f e s eco nd s o f
cle a rly i n tuited fa ct There i s a str on g tempta ti o n
to get rid so meh o w i n the ory of the se va ni s hi n g

1
Exa mi na ti on f
o Sir W Ha mi lton s Phi losophy
.
’
, p . 2 53 .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

successio n s a n d to a ssert tha t rea lity lies n ot in

them but i n a s uperi or Po wer it self a bove succes
, ,

si o n s a n d o n ly s eemi ng t o a ppe a r i n the s e from o ur

fini te a n d p a rti a l p oi n t of view .

S pioz a di d much i n thi s wa y for modern a n d

n

e speci a lly Germ a n a n d Germ a n i n spired Briti s h -

a n d Am eric a n th o ught In the words o f Erdm a nn

.
,
“
Averr o es h a d m a de the philo so pher ta ke
h i s s t a n d i n the he a rt of eterni ty where befo re ,

a n d a fter c o mpletely di sa ppe a r a n d where a ll th a t ,

i s p ossible i s rega rded a s a lre a dy a ctu a l

'

S pi n o za .

follo ws hi m a lm o st litera lly i n dem a n di n g tha t the

philo so pher should View everythi ng sub sp eci e a cter
n i ta ti s i e i n perfect freed o m fr o m the limit s o f time
,
. . .

Thi s n a tur a lly implie s th a t he Vi ew s everythi n g

s i mul i s with o ut a re a l a n d i n merely a l o gic a l
, . .
, ,

succe ssio n Acc ordi ngly the sta rti n g poi n t of h i s

.
,
-

phi losophy i s n ot the cre a to r of the world n ot eve n ,

the fun da me n ta l c a u se of a ll thi n g s but the l ogic a l ,

f a —
pre supp o siti o n o ll tha t exi sts tha t i n vi rtue o f ,

which a lo n e everythi n g el se c a n bec o me a n Object

o f th o ught a n d w hi ch it s elf doe s n ot require fo r i t s

c on cepti on the a n tecede n t c o n cepti o n of a n ythi n g

el se This i s the o nly me a n i n g o f hi s ca usa su i
. .

’
Ka n t s a ttitude a ga i n de nie s s ucces si on to
, ,
”
thi n gs i n themselve s Th e po st Ka n ti a n
.

ra ti on a li sts a n d eve n Schope n h a uer c on ti n ue the

a tt a ck o n the re a lity of s ucce s si o n but the stude n t ,

i s o fte n mi sled by the co n sta n t h a rpi n g o n p r o

-
“ “ ”
gre ss ,
l a bo ur o f the Idea
”
evolutio n etc , , .
,

whi ch a ccomp a ni es the a tta ck The Uni vers e .

,

a cc o r di n g t o Hegel i s a lwa ys a cc o mpli shi n g it s elf

”
, .

Thi s pro n o u n ceme n t seems t o a dmit t he re a lity o f

242 THE WORLD AS IMAGIN ATION

Th e de sce n t ho wever i s p a rt o f a n imm a n e n t de

, ,

v e lo p i n g purp o s e a n d the fun cti o n o f time succe ssi o n

,
-

a s vit a l t o thi s l a tter ma y be expre ssed thu s

Ti me -
s u ccess i on i s the F O RM OF CREA TION o f tha t
—
im a gi n a l co smic a ctivity by which n e w re a li ty i s
bei ng ma de It f a ll s therefore with perfect n a tur a l
.
, ,

n e ss i n to a scheme s uch a s our s Im a gi n a ti on .

bei n g re a l a s the fo u n da ti o n o f thi n g s i t s m o de o f ,

s elf a ctivity i s re a l a s well

-
Thu s empiric a l wo rk .

a da y te stim on y t o the fa ct s o f time l a p se a n d -

ch a n ge i s o n ce a n d for a ll c on firm ed Th e world .

pri n ciple is s uch tha t it reve a l s it s re a lity i n thi s

ch a n ge An etern a lly fixed im a gi n a ti on would be
.

on e s ided a n d quite a b s urd

Thu s the belief i n the C I implie s further th a t . .

, ,

-
a r —
time succes si on s e re a l a s rea l a s th a t Ultim a te
Re a lity it self Thi s re a lity o f succe ssi on i s wh a t
.

the pl a i n m a n ta ke s for gra n ted a n d wh a t cultiva ted

o pi ni o n n eed n o l o n ger c o n te s t
?

Time ucce ssi o n bei n g the Fo rm o f Cre a ti o n a n

-
s ,

a ttempt t o thi nk it a wa y would se e m b o u n d t o gr o w

difficultie s An d thi s i s the c a se Thu s a s Ca r v e t h

. .
,

Re a d p oi n t s ou t if time i s u n rea l t h e pr o gre ss o f

, ,

i n ve stig a ti on o ught t o h a ve le d t o a sta tic i n ste a d

o f a more a n d m ore dy n a mic view o f N a ture by ,

which we se e k i n l a ws of cha nge the expla n a ti on

”
e ve n o f wh a t s eem s the le a s t ch a n ge a ble
2
We .

might a dd th a t the se la ws of ch a n ge which som e

1
Thus A . E . Ta ylo r ’
s p rh p
e a s i n solu le b pr bl m why o e

su c cessi on i n ti me sh ould be af tr
e a u e of ex p rie ( El m
e n ce e en ts

f
o M eta physi cs 164 ) di s ma ys
, u p
s n o lo nge
. r .

2
M eta physics of N a ture 2 77 , p . .
 TIM E

reg a rd a s sta tic —

a s fr o ze n un if ormitie s o f c a u sa

—
ti on h a ve them selve s percha n ce o nl y termi n a ble , ,

c a reer s cha n gi n g slo wly a s so ma n y rel a tively

,

s t a ble ha bi ts o f beh a vi o ur which i n t e r a cti n g Na ture

c o mplexe s pre se n t S ta tic c a tegorie s will n ot a llo w .

u s t o f o ll o w the f a ct s o f experie n c e a n d so t o live

pra ctic a lly i n thi s sublun a ry world a t a ll An d .

they will n ot e n a ble u s a s phil osopher s a n d men o f ,

s cie n ce eve n to t hi n k
, .

H A Reyb ur n urge s tha t our a ctu a l worka da y

. .

experi en ce s derive their sig ni fic a n ce fr o m the fa ct

tha t o n e m ome n t i n a time succe ssi o n i s n ot with -

”
a n o ther n a
y th a t the , very u ni ty
, o f i n tere s t o n ,

which so much stre ss h a s bee n la id ma y depen d on ,

thi s self exte rn a lity o f momen t s On e see s thi s

-
.

well i n g a me s o f skill Eve n i n works o f a r t e g .

,
. .

O thell o the cha ra cter of t he c on ten t dem a n ds time

,

extern a lity ?
There i s n o e sc a pe fr o m it i n the
dra m a a n d n on e i n re a l life Th e n o t yet a n d
,
.
-

the
‘
n o m or e c o n sci o u sn e ss a re e ssen ti a l ; m o s t
o f o ur pl a n s depe n d up o n th e m a n d if a merely ,

timele ss order i s s ub stituted fo r them o u r purp ose s ,

bec ome u nmea ni n g Th e a spect o f succe ssi on i s .

n ot merely a hi n dr a n ce t o t o t a lity it ma y be a ,

me a n s t o it An d a n y c on cepti o n o f t h e Ab solute
.

which ig n ore s thi s lea ve s o ut much o f the me a n i n g

o f life
2 ”
.

It h a s bee n sugge sted th a t if time s ucce ssio n i s ,

-

u nre a l thi s u nre a l S h o w ma y n ot h a ve the sa me

,

1
The dea th of Desde mon a is cle a rly condi ti o n ed by thi s .

S he w ou ld n ot ha v e b e en kill d e , if Oth ello ha d k w

no n soon e r
a b ou t Ia go s ’
s ch e mes
b r 19 13
.

2
M i nd Oc to , e , Idea li s m a nd t he Rea li ty of Ti me .
 24 4 THE WORLD AS IM A INATION G
On th e v i ew di recti o n for a ll ki n ds o f s e n tie n ts Thus i n my .

t h a t t h er e m y
ff
be d i er en t
a
experie n ce the s t a rti n g h a n dl e o f the m
-
o to r c a r -

di r ec ti on s o f
t i me
h a s t o be tur n ed befo re the e n gi n e begi n s t o work ,

s uc c e ss i on . a n d the clutch h a s t o be e n g a ged bef o re I c a n vi sit

my frie n d a mile a wa y S pea ki n g p o p ul a rly I a m

.
,

m o vi n g t o wa rd s a future— the vi si t — thr o ugh a

s peci o u s pre se n t fro m a p oi n t which is referred
t o the pa s t Th e sugge sti o n i s tha t there ma y
.

be s e n tien t s u n kn o wn to u s wh o a wa re thi s serie s

, ,

o f eve n t s i n the rever s e di recti on ; for wh o m e g , . .

,

the vi sit ma y precede the s ta rti n g o f the c a r .

In thi s s o rt o f experie n ce a c hi ld woul d precede

the m a ti n g o f its m other a n d a bi o gra phy the
life o f i t s s ubject An y n umber o f di rectio n s o f
.

s ucce ssi o n h a ve bee n c o n s idered p o ssible if fin ite ,

s e n tie n t s with their u nr e a l time s uccessi on s a re -

, ,

merely phe n o me n a li si n g a timele ss order .

There i s evide n ce h o wever i n fa vo ur of the se

no , ,

directi on s a n y m ore th a n there i s i n support o f the

beli ef i n a timele ss order a n d we m a y di s mi ss
them a s b a seles s fa n cie s re a li sa ble i n a ma d wo rld
, ,

but n ot i n o n e which ful fil s imm a n e n t purpo se .

Time s ucce ssi o n a s For m of Crea tion p o i n t s o nl y i n

-

one directi o n a n d th a t directi on i s irreversible

, .

An d here we mu st cite a n a dmira ble rem a rk o f

Th e m ore I c o nsider t hi s p oi n t the
’
B erg son a ga in . Bergso n s .
,

more it s eem s t o me th a t if the future i s b o u n d to

,

s ucceed the pre s e n t i n ste a d o f bei n g give n a l o n g side

o f it it i s bec a u s e the future i s n o t a lt o gether deter

,

mi n ed a t the pre se n t m o me nt a n d tha t if the time ,

ta ke n up by thi s s ucce ssi o n i s so methi n g o ther tha n

a n umber if it h a s fo r the c o n s ci o u s n e s s th a t i s i n
,

s t a lled i n it a b solut e va lu e a n d re a lity it i s bec a use ,

there i s u n ce a si n gly bei ng cre a ted i n it so me

 T HE WORLD . AS IMAGINATION

TI M E AS A C ORRU PTION OF ETE RN IT Y

3 . Time
ucce s si on do e s n ot sh o w u n ity i n i t s
-
s

p e rfect form it o bt a i ns i n de e d i n the sph e r e where , ,

the m a n y a lm ost bre a k a wa y fr o m their gro u n d It .

i s a wit n e ss n everthele s s t o the fecu n di ty o f the

, ,

C I which o verflo ws so t o spe a k i n to crea ti on

. .
, ,
“
i n virtue o f i t s i n fin ity which belief i n a c om ,

p le t e a n d fi ni s hed A b s olute w o uld dis a ll o w .

Co n te n t s o ccurri n g o n e a fter the o ther m a rk u n

deni a bly a de sce n t from tha t level o f cha n gele ss
“
Bei n g which i s e n j oyed a s a totu m si mu l by the
c on templa tive or co n serva tive ID EA We h a ve t o .

s a y with D r F C S S chiller “
Time ! s ucce ssi on !
. . .
,

mu st be c a lled a Corrupti o n of Eternity ju st a s ,

Bec omi n g i s a Co rrupti on o f Bei n g Time i s .

but the me a sure of the imperm a n e n ce of the i m

perfect 1
But there i s a n o ther side eve n t o thi s
.
”

so rt of st a teme n t Th a t which i s a de s ce n t i n o n e
.

reg a rd is a l so a n a sce n t so fa r a s the ri s e a n d

, , ,

develo pme n t o f fini te se n tie n t s a r e c on cer n ed An d .

Re a lity i n the ma ki ng imperfect a s it i s a t the ,

o ut set a n d eve n a b o mi n a ble i n the det a il a s k n o wn

by u s is do ubtle ss a s uperb proce ss a s s ee n wh ole

, , ,

fr o m a ce n tra l p oi n t o f view Th e vi n di c a ti o n o f .

a Wo rld S y stem h o wever -

c a n n ot be fou n d i n a n y
, ,

give n sta ge o f i t s m a ki n g It will be fur ni shed by .

the ch a ra cter o f i t s fi n a l form a s ma de .

THE N ow OR S P C OU E I S P RES EN T OF

FIN ITE S N N E TIE TS

4 . Th e di r ectly i n tu i ted dura ti o n which is o ur

pre e t
s n , s trictly so -
c a lled or the n o w i s c om
, ,
”

1
Ri ddles o f the S phi nx, p . 2 57 .
 -
THE No w
plex . It ha s a spa n of n ot more th a n a few s ec o n ds
a n d yet i n thi s n a rr o w fi e ld there mu s t s h o w n ot ,

on ly the m o men ta ry i n c o mi n g fut ure a n d the

m o men t a ry o utgoi n g p a st but a l so th a t va st,

r ep r esen ted future which i s n ot yet i n bei n g a n d

tha t va st repr esen ted p a st which h a s ce a sed (for

the direct kn o wledge of fin ite se ntie n ts ) to be If .
,

i n t hi s i n tuited dur a ti on the pre se n t a n d the p a st

,

were n o t someho w together we sh o uld be utterly ,

helple ss a n d ri di cul o us bei n gs .

Thi s pre se n t which h a s bee n c a lled m o st a ptly

,

s peci o u s i s like the circle o f light a t the ci n em a

”
,

s h o w i n which the picture s a r e a lw a ys ch a n gi n g a n d

‘

m ea n so much m ore th a n they bri n g di r e ctly t o s e ns e .

An d like the circle of light which a bide s whi le the

, ,

picture s cha n ge the speciou s pre se n t m a i n t a i n s

,

itself i n the very flo w o f it s va nishi n g co n te nts .

N o te th a t i n the speci o u s pre se n t the di ffere n t

term s or di sti n gui sh a ble a spects of a successi on
, ,

a ppe a r t ogether i n o n e c o n s ci o u s gra s p o r s i mu l

ta neous ly . Gl a n ce a t a revo lvi n g bicycle wheel a n d -

y o u h a ve a sa lie n t i n s t a n ce i n View T hu s t o a .
,

limited exte n t i n our directly a wa re d s en s ible life

, ,

the presen t a n d the p a st a ctua lly meet Th e future .

c a nn ot be sa id to meet the pre se nt quite i n the s a me

wa y ; it i s a lwa ys repre se n ted or fore st a lled by
our fa n cy ra ther th a n a ctu a lly pre se n ted Th e .

future i s rea lity which i s bei ng ma de a n d the p a st

i s re a lity ma de Th i s s ucce ssi on o f which the term s
.
,

a re gr a sped sim ul t a n e o u sly might be c a ll e d c on

,

tra di c to ry but a fter a ll it i s a n experie n ce Th e

, , , .

la bel yo u deig n to a tta ch to it m a tters little .

 THE WORLD AS IMA GIN ATION
Of c o ur se the c o n ti n uity which we h a ve a lrea dy ,

di s cu ss ed i s pre supp os ed by a n y a n d every s ucce s

,

si o n a s a wa r e d by a fi ni te bei ng It wo uld n ot .

be s uffi ci e n t to expl a i n thi s c o n ti n ui ty a s due t o

rel a tively perm a n e n t c on te n ts ; over a g a i n st
which the fleeti n g c on te n ts c o me a n d go Th e .

rela tively perm a n e n t c o n te n t s them selve s ,

a n a ly sa ble i n t o p ul se s of like c o n te n t s uppli ed fr o m

i n sta n t to i n s ta n t ( a s i n the c o e n a e sthe si s

a r e n o t the so urce of c o n ti n uity but pre s upp os e it ,
.

The true expl a n a tio n o f the co n ti n ui ty o f the

s pecio us presen t go es deeper .

It is eedful to recur to th a t ge n ui n e pre se n t o f

n

ch a n gele ss simult a n eo u s c on te n ts fro m whi ch the

, ,

s peci o u s pre se n t of us fini te sen tie n t s i s a fa ll .

In the f ormer the c o n te n t s a r e gra sped together

bec a u se co a wa r e d cons ci o usn e ss i s the bedr o ck o f
-

con ti n ui ty i s the a ctivity th a t

, hold s to gether
o n ly thu s a r e the exter n a l a n d i n ter n a l rel a tio n s o f
“
term s p o ssible a t a ll Thi s pre se n t i s ge n ui n e— a
.

“
n o w n ot i n fected by l a p se Th e s pe ci o u s pre se n t
”
.
,

o n the o ther h a n d is a very li mited n o w which

,

pre se n t s wha t i s elu sive a n d ce a sele ssly fa di n g

i n t o the p a st An d thi s ever va ni shi n g c on te n t h a s
.

t o me a n thi n g s p a s t a n d future whi ch a r e n o t

, ,

them selve s di rectly pre sen t a t a ll Th e c o rrup .

tio n o f etern ity t o m a ke u se of D r S chiller s

,
’

expre ssio n i s obvi o u s

, .

We a retry to tr a ce shortly how thi s c orrup

to
ti on ta ke s pl a ce but for the mome n t we will
, , ,

ta ke it fo r gra n ted Note me a n while th a t the .

, ,

corrupti on whi le a dva n ced i s n ever c omplete

, , .

Th e ge n ui n e prese n t a s it were still shi n e s di mly

, ,
2 50 THE WO RLD AS IM AG INATION
di vi sibili ty the i n sta n ts o f time We do n ot re
of .

quire a c on ceptu a l dividi n g a n d redividi n g which

a s l o n g a s m e n h a ve the bre a th t o t a lk o r
can
go o n

i n k to m a ke m a rk s o n p a per ?
Thi s ki n d o f divi di n g
i s t oo a l oo f fro m re a lity An i n st a n t is a brief .

qua li ta tive conten t e g a prick o f p a i n a light n i n g ,

. .
,

fla sh a so un d rega rded i n its a spect a s e n duri n g ;

, ,

s ome s uch c o n te n t s e n dure l o n ger th a n other s but ,

a ll e n dure more or les s Ea ch mi nim a l bit of c o n t e n t .

i s a dur a ti on which ech o e s i n a w orld o f ch a n ge , ,

dista n tly but still a udibly the u n c orrupted ,

?
co smic dur a tio n i n which there is n o l a p se or ch a n ge
Ea ch mi ni m a l time c on te n t l a st s a while with o ut -

a lter a ti o n bef o re yieldi n

g t o ch a n ge A n d whe n it .

ch a n ge s it cha n ge s with spurts of n o velty We h a ve

, .

here the re a lity of th o se di screte step s o f ch a n ge ,

”

for whi ch Ja me s c on te n ded a s a g a i n s t the view th a t

ch a n ge i s i n fin itely gra ded Time the c on cept .
, ,

1
writ J E B di i Mi d th m r
In t h e ti me -flow, es . . oo n n n , e o e

p rm t t t f r i h th b kgr d p whi h th
e a n en con e n s u n s e ac ou n u on c e

fl ti g
ee npp r d di pp r S m f th l tt r b r
o n es a ea an sa ea . o e o e a e o se v e

a ce rt i rhyt hm I th
a n f th rth l k d
. rtin e ca se o e ea -c oc an our a ~

fi i l ti m pi
c a b d p it w h
e- e cesi li d t hi rhyt h m
a se u on ,
e a v e soc a se s ,

r l ti th gh i t i i th d t th pr
e a ve ou Th w s t hin e en o e ocess . en e u se s

rhyt h m t m r th d ri g t t
o ea su e H i gi t de en u n con en s . av n n v en e

i t r l w
n e va s di i d th t will
e ca n t i fi i ty W h v e e se a , ev en o n n . e t en

i n ver t the pr ocess a nd i ma gi n e tha t the con ten ts run through ou r

”
a r tifici a l di vi s i ons .

2
Rei d, dea li n g wi th hu ma n pyh s c ology, has a su gges ti v e

p g r l ti
a ss a e e a ve to t h e Vi ew t h a t t h e i d ea of du r a ti on does n ot

pr pp esu f os e , o n ece ssi t y, su c cessi on . ev e ry ele r

men ta y
p rt f d r ti
a o u a on ry l m
mu st h a v e du r a t i on , as ev e e e en a t ry p rt a

of t i m t h
e x e n s on t i N w it m t b
us av e e x e n s on . o us e b r d
o se v e

th t i t h
a nl m t f d r ti
ese e e i mpl i t r l f
en s o i u a on , or s e n e va s o su c ce ss v e

id th r i
ea s , i
e e f id t w m t
s n o su ccess on o
y i t h m ea s , e e us c on ce v e e

t h o d r ti
av e wh w m y l d wi th rt i ty th t
u a on , en c e e a con c u e ce a n a

th i
er e wp is af d i
cor wh e ht i on i o
f ura t on ere t er e s n o succes s on o

id i th mi d ( I t ll t l P w
ea s n e n E y h p n e ec ua o ers , ssa III . c a .
 IS TI M E INFIN ITE OR FIN ITE 2

we a llow i n de fini tely di vi sible ; but n ot time

,
is
con ten t e g
,
a c ol o ur o r a p a i n ;
. . the a mou n t o f
di sc o vera bl e se n sible di fferen ce s i n the se limiti n g
re se a rch You c a n n ot di vide c on crete tim e beyon d
.

the p oi n t where di sti n gui sh a ble qua lity a spects a re -

t o be f o u n d .

Th e tep s o f cha n ge implied by a n y c on crete

s

time succe ssi on a re fin ite i n n umber We c a nn o t

-
.
,

it i s true verify thi s sta temen t th oroug hl y thro ugh

,

o u t the regi o ns t o whi ch it a pplie s We perceive .

n o w i n wa ys which do n o t requir e u s to be a wa re

o f a ll the det a il s o f thi n g s a n d a s we s h a ll s ugge s t ,

l a ter
,
c o nf u sedl y 1
But we c a n i nf er i t s truth
.
”

( )
1 fr o m the fini te ge n er a l ch a r a cter Of a n y o n e

p a rticul a r World S ystem a n d ( 2 ) fro m the c on sidera

-
,

ti o n th a t but for n umeric a lly fin ite step s of ch a n ge

, ,

there c o uld be n o experie n ce such a s we a ctua lly

e n j o y Infin i tu m i n a ctu p ertra n s i r i n egu i t ; e g a
. . .

c olo ur experie n ce whi ch c on si sted of i nfi nitely

,

gra ded ch a n ges c o ul d n o m ore be lived thr o ugh i n

,

t wo sec on ds th a n i t s gr a d a ti o n s of ch a n ge c o uld be
c ou n ted i n the sa me time or a n y time Na ture if .
,

it h a d bee n de sig n ed with a c a u sa l dyn a mic of

i n fini tely n umerous tra nsiti on s would still be tryi n g ,

t o begi n .

There i s , further ( 3 ) the cha ra cter o f ima gi ni n g

,

o f which we mu st t a ke a cc o u n t Co smic im a gi n a l .

crea ti on the ch a n ge s i n which a re s ucce ssi on

, ,

pro ceeds we ma y s urmi se by spur ts a n d step s of

, ,

n o ve lty bei ng compa r a ble i n thi s r es ect wi th our own

, p
i ma gi n a l life Th e n o velty i s n ever dra wn en ti r ely
.

ou t of i ts a n teceden ts a n y m o re th a n S h a ke spe a re s
’

1
Though n ot qui te i n the sense emphasis ed by Lei b ni t z .
 THE WORLD AS IMAGIN ATION
pla ys were dr a wn o ut of hi s stu di es o f old ya rn s ,

chro ni cle s o r Plut a rch Much mo s t of the Vita l

,
.
, ,

c o n ten t i s i n ve n ted s upera dded origi n a l There i s , ,

.

n o evide n c e wh a tever i n s upp ort o f the belief i n

i n fin itely gra ded tra n s iti o n s An d we se e n ow th a t .

s uch tr a n s iti o n s wo ul d be o f n o va lue i n a pro ce s s

which i s n ot the mere un ro lli n g o f re a lity but it s ,

m a ki n g Ima gi n a l a cti vi ty i n crea ti n g a lwa ys

.

m a ke s lea ps ( semp er fa ci t sa ltum) .

Th e
true c on ti n ui ty of ch a n ge lies n ot i n i n fini tely
gra ded tra n siti ons but i n it s bei n g pre se n t to a ,

co s mic consci o usn e ss which hold s together di screte

s tep s o f ch a n ge ju st a s well a s a n yt hi n g el se .

But we a r e to return to thi s topic u n der c a usa

”
ti o n .

THE PAST
5 future i s n ot somehow a n d somewhere
. Th e
c o mpletely re a dy a n d flowi n g to wa rds us — i t i s
bei n g mad e a n d i n p a rt o f cour se by the very pro ces s , ,

of o ur thi n ki n g a b o ut it ?
Re a lity a s ma de s wirl s
i n to the p a st i n rememberi n g we p oss es s o nly
fra gme n ta ry repre se n t a tio n s of it o fte n i nsufli ci en t ,

to guide o ur thi n ki n g theoretic a n d pra ctic a l ?

Is ,

thi s ma de r ea li ty pre served i n a n y m a nn er a n d i s it ,

a ctive o r i n a ctive a s pre served 2 Berg son wh o h a s ,

”
dea lt with the meta physic s of the p a st c onsiders ,

1
Th u s Ca lyle r on th e p oli ti c a l , etc .
, ftr u u e . Th e ftr
u u e

is n ot hi n g bu t t h e r
e a lis ed i d ea l
’
of th e p pl eo e . But i n thi s
r gr
ea li sa ti on a r e t rpr i f oun d ea su ses .

Th r i f il r h r
2
e e f s r alm t rywh r i th
u e e e, o c ou se , a s a os ev e e e n e

ti m pr e- M h th t i
o cess r pr t d w ld b f l t
. uc a s un e esen e ou e u se u o

us .M h th t i r pr
uc t d i ai s
g w t d e esen e s n ox ou s, as e . . un an e

m m ri
e whi h m k f th d gr d ti f li
o es c a Th e or e e a a on o ou r v es . e

di f m m ry
s e a ses o r q ir mm te o e u e n o co en .
 THE WORLD AS IMAGIN ATION

a ctivity o f re st Th e m a de re a lity o f the

.

world pro ce ss a fter it s cre a ti o n i n whi ch a ll finite

-
,
”
s e n tie n t s pl a y their p a rt s p a s ses perh a p,s like a , ,

r om a n ce still i n c o mplete i n to the st a bl e c on serva

,

tive life o f the C I Th e a rti st crea tes with a view

. .

t o con temp la ti n g h i s wo rk Wha t we c a ll c osmic

.

mem ory i s o n the c on se rva tive o r c on templ a tive

side o f im a gi n a l a ctivity which mu st n ot be c o n ceived

as g a thered u p wholly i n the speci o u s pre se n t

-

o f cre a tive ch a n ge .

We see n ow h o w import a n t it i s t o thi n k cle a rly

i n thi s di scu ssi on We mu st di sti n gui sh betwee n
.

( )
1 the so c a lled
-
p a s t w hi ch i s sa id to be i n the
s peci o u s pre se n t a s the p a st e ffo rt s o f stu di o us
,

yo uth per si st i n the c on sci o u s c o mpeten ce of the

thi n ker ( 2 ) the so c a lled p a st which i s sa id t o be
,
-

emb odi ed i n a n e w form i n thi s pr e se n t a lthough ,

n o t c o n sci o u sly remembered ( ) defi ni te mem ori e s

3 ,

of o r a bou t the p a s t a n d ( 4 ) the v a ni s hed p a st it self

, .

“
No ( 4 ) i s n ever rec a lled but o nl y repre s e n ted o r
.
,

re —
“
im a gi n ed i n o ur mem orie s ; it h a s p sed
a s

beyo n d m o rt a l ken i n t o t h e do m a i n o f ma de r ea li ty .

Th e pa st a s Th a t which h a s p a ss ed i n thi s wa y i s the true

23223
1 1 8
3 0 5 » in t p a st
o p a ssed Si n ce we ha ve to repre sen t it
a n d c a nn o t a ctu a lly r e live it we te n d t o fa l sify it , .

S i de ( f 9
i “Thu s we o ft e n rec a ll mi serie s a n d struggle s tha t
0 8 111
Ima gi n i n g .

ha ve l o st the i r sti n g But the a ctua l p a st gen mn ely

.
,

r elived i n i t s deta il woul d be ju st a s p a i nf ul a s

,

e ver ; a s erie s o f directly felt experie n ce s which -

woul d p o sse ss their o rigi n a l c olo uri n g o f p a i n .

The va n i shed p a s t p a ssed i n to the sta bl e

c o smic ima gi n a ti o n w hi ch a n swer s to o ur o wn rel a
,

t i v ely s ta ble repro ductive im a gi n a ti o n ) c a nn o t be

 IS THE PAS T ALTERA
‘

B LE
pre sen t a s a p a st to the c o smic consci o u sn e ss .

It exi st s i n a ge n ui n e pre se n t wherei n the succe ssive

a re a l so to gether
1
Mea n whi le the ma ki ng of fresh
.

re a lity g oe s o n cea selessly ; it i s o nly the ma de

“
re a lity which the C I p osse sses a s a totum s i mul
. . .
”

Time succe ssi on i s n o t a s we sa w u nr e a l

-
On the
, ,
.

c on tra ry it i s the Form of Crea ti on a s re a l a s a n y

, ,

form o f c on serva tive im a gi n a l life The ma ki ng o f .

re a lity a n d the gra sp o f re a lity a s ma de refer u s t o

t wo re a l side s of the life of the C I a n d b o th mu s t . .

be b orn e i n mi n d if we a re t o u n dersta n d the time

c omplic a tio n a right .

It rem a i n s un certa i n o f c o urse whether the , ,

—
va n i shed p a st the ma de rea li ty which h a s pa ssed
—
beyon d morta l ken h a s been m a de o n ce a n d for a ll .

In on e s e n se i n deed the p a st c a nn o t be a ltered

, , .

Th e Go d s them selve s
”
Pi n da r tell s u s c a nn ot
, ,

a n n i hi l a te the a cti o n th a t i s do n e I slew Ca e sa r . .

Th e mere l a p se o f time c a nn o t o blitera te the f a ct .

On the o ther h a n d i n a n Ima gi na l Uni ver se m a de

, ,

re a lity i s n ot a fin a l a chieveme n t but might be r e ,

ma de a n d wha t b ou n ds ca n we s e t t o n ovelty i n thi s

,

directi on Na y the enti r e ma de r ea li ty which we

, ,

c a ll the va n i shed p a st o f a world pro ce ss might -

,

di sa ppe a r a n d le a ve n ot a ra ck behi n d No p a st .

i s to fo ul the ra di a n ce o f etern ity Th e C I i n i ts . . .

,

cre a tive pl a y ha rdl y t olera te s for ever fa ilure o n t he

,

gre a t sc a le Hen c e m a de re a lity might c a ll for

.

p a rti a l re m a kin g o r eve n suppre ssi o n — such a situa

ti o n i n fa ct i s i n a cc ord with the im a gi n a l hyp o
, ,

th e si s a n d i s c o n c e ived witho ut difficulty S uppo se .

n o w tha t a p a s t wa s quite o blit e r a ted fro m t h e

1
They a re togethe r on a s ma ll s ca le , as we sa w, ev en i n my
p r p ti
e ce o n of a r e v olv i n g wh eel .
 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

c o n te n t of the C I n ot a mem o ry bei n g left t o

. .

fini te s en tie n t s o f wh a t h a d befa lle n them i n it .

Acti on s do n e i n th a t pa st wo uld v a ni sh a n d
Pi n da r s sa yi n g wo ul d f a il t o a pply to the c a se
’
.

Idl e t o urge tha t I did somethi n g on ce i n a world

I
”
of which I c a n n o t eve n sa y th a t it exi sted .

s h o ul d h a ve n o m o tive for t hi nk i n g a b o ut the l os t

wo rld ; n o poi nt d a p pu i wha tever for puzzled’

medi ta ti o n Th e p a st tha t do e s n ot exist for the

.

C I or for some fi ni te mem ory h a s va n i shed utterly

. .

a n d my a ctio n with it .

It is imp ort a n t a cc or di n gly t o a llo w for the

, ,

exte n t t o which i n a n Ima gi na l Un i verse the

, ,

p a st i s su sceptible of a ltera ti o n An d there a re .

hide o u s fa ct s i n life which o ught to m a ke u s gla d

th a t p a sts c a n be a ltered o r eve n expun ged .

An yh o w let u s n o te th a t the p a st h a s n o i n here n t

,

p o wer which c o uld cl o ud for ever the p ossibilitie s

o f a r a di a n t future Th e C I . which m a ke s a n d . .
,

rem a ke s re a li ty i s a t the mercy of n othi n g th a t

,

o ccur s o r h a s o ccurr e d i n i t s U n ive r s e Co n tra st .

i t s pl a stic c on te n t with the rock like fixi t y o f re a lity -

a s i n terpreted by the Ab soluti s t I n di a n Briti sh , , ,

Germa n wh os e , timele ss Absolute ( whether

c a lled Re a so n God or wha t n ot m a tters little ) i s
, ,

p owerle s s t o ch a n ge its c o n te n t L ook a r o u n d a t .

wh a t life a ctua ll y c o n t a i n s ; a n d you will re a li se

tha t a World Gro u n d whi ch i s thoro ughl y s a ti s
-
,

fa ct ory i n a n em o ti on a l reg a rd mu st be c ompeten t to ,

r e vi se it s phe n o me n a ”
Un sa ti sfa ctory beyo n d
.

”
h o pe i s the timele ss i n fini te which a ccept s the
wh o l e r o u n d o f h a ppe n i n g s fa ir a n d fo ul a s i t s , ,

m a n ife sta ti o n s w hi ch c a n no t be bro ught to

n o ught .
 THE W ORLD AS IM A IN ATION G
( as me a sured by sp a ti a l a rtifice ) of a cute n eur a lgi a
a re quite differe n t fr o m five mi n ute s o f a d ul l wa lk .

On the o ther h a n d there i s a public or c om

mon time succe ssi on emb o di ed i n the flowi n g o f
-

the crea tive pro ce ss rega rded a s a whole But thi s .

i s a c o n crete re a lity a n d n ot a bloo dl e ss Comm a n d

Co n cept of the s tudy .

M them a tic a l h o moge n e o us time h a s the fe a tur e

a

o f s uccess i on i n view ; he n ce N ewt o n s ta lk o f ’

“
flo wi n g But c o n crete time a s we s a w
.
”
,

c o vers much more th a n time successi on s It i s -

.

n eedful t o be a r thi s i n mi n d f a ithf ul ly a s we pr o ceed .

THE CI . . AN D S PA C E

6Con crete c o smic sp a ce the birth of which

.
,

we s ha ll try t o tra ce l a ter i s n ot a recept a cle ; a ,

void imme n se which c oul d per si st wer e a ll o ther ,

re a lity a nni hil a ted a v oid i n which exi ste n t s a l so ,

co n ceived s omeh o w a s sp a ti a l s pre a d them selve s ,

o u t so a s to o ccupy po siti on s h a ve rel a ti o n s o f size , ,

sh a pe directi on di st a n ce a n d r oo m t o m o ve
, , It i s ,
.

n ot a s uper se n sible en ti ty such a s so me i n ve n tive

s tude n t o f Euclid Lo ba t sch e wsky o r Riem a n n, ,

might a sk u s t o believe i n It i s n ot a n a ctive .

s ub s t a n ce sui gen er i s which c o ul d w a rp h o n e s t

p a ra llel li n e s or ki n k re specta ble figur es 1
It c o n .

Wh a t i t i s .
si st s o f qu a lit a tive im a gi n a l con ten ts like c ol o ur s ,

1
S p a ces , whi
pr p rty
ch h a v e thi s or th a t a cti v e o e ,
a re

p t l i ti f
c on ce ua w Th t r th
n v en writ J B
on s o ou r o n . e u ,
”
es . .

S t ll i hi C p
a o d Th
n i f M
s d P h
once
y i i t
ts h t
an eor es o o ern s cs , s a

th e p wh i d
s d rli
ace ll g m t i l
ose t r ti
ea un e es a eo e r ca c on s uc on s

wh t r i l di g th f th p g m t i ith r fl t
a ev e , nc u n ose o e an eo e er s , s ne e a ,
 S PACE
and un ds pre sen t to gether i e rel a te d i n a
so , , . .
,

certa i n ORD ER Th e whole c ompri si n g the se c on .

“

te n ts a n d quite i n sep a ra ble fro m them i s public

, ,

o r c os mic sp a ce .

Inm odern philo sophy Leib n itz did much to pre ss

tha t form o f idea li sm which reg a rds sp a ce a s priva te
—
t o fin ite s en tien t s g o d s me n a n d b e a st s We h a ve , , .

here h e sa ys a n
,
e n s me n t a le which derive s
,

from o ur c o nf u se d percepti on o f the rel a ti o ns o f

simple thi n g s ( m on a ds ) them selve s n ot s p a ti a l a t

a ll .S pa ce thus e xpla i n ed i s a n order of co

, ,

n or s ph ri e ca l, n or p seu do -s ph ri e c a l, n or of a n y oth e rihr t n e en

fig r b t i i mply th i t iti l d
u e, u s s e n u on a an c on ce pt l p ibility
ua oss

of tr i g ac n
y ll f t h li anh r t ri t
or ai o e n es c a ac e s c o f pl ph ri l
a n e, s e ca ,

elli p id l p r b l id l h yp rb l i d l t
so a , a a d t
o o m t t a , e o o a , e c .
, an , o so e ex e n ,

p d ph ri l rf withi i t— p i bili ty d t th i
seu o -s e ca su a ces n a oss ue o e c r

cu m t th t it i
s a n ce thi g m r l a th p t f rm d
s no n o e or e ss a n a c on c e o e

by di mi i g fr m
s m t l r pr
ss n t ti o f p h y i l bj t
our en a e e sen a on o s ca o e c s,

no t ly ll th
on ttri b t a ti t ti g th i r p h y i l pr p rt i
e a u es c on s u n e s ca o e es

oth r t h
e t i b t l ll t h d t rmi
a n ex e n s o n , ti f fi g r by u a so a e e e na on s o u e

whi h th y di ti g i h d S p h
c e a re i l s n u s e . ace as n o n ter na s tructu re

or i n her en t figur e, beca us e i t i s no t a p hysi ca l obj ect a nd therefor e

has no prop erti es whi ch ca n be a scer ta i n ed by exp eri men t or

observa ti on
”
In t h e cou se of a n r e min en tly lu ci d arti l i c e n

Br rg pp it ly
.

M i nd Is our S pa ce Eu cli dea n ‘

7 C . D . oa d u es a os e

t h a t t h e i ssu e rd e u c es t o t hi s . Ca n we co ns t u c t a sr y t m f
s e o

phy i whi s cs ch a ssu mes Eu cli de a n geo met y for r sp a ce a n d bl

en a es

us to dea l c on si sten tly a n d a de q u a t ely

w i th a ll t h e da ta t ha t

g r
s ci e n t i s t s a
t b m t w rt h yeet b t ok i t e t os o o e a en n o a ccou n

i th t t f th w rt h f E li d r
.

Th at s e es g
o m t y B t
e t t d o o uc ea n eo e . u , es e

i t hi w y ri l g m t ri
n s a m y pr va t i f t ry
eo w ll If e es a ov e s a s ac o as e .

m k p w
,

w l
e c a n a so
p y t m f h y
a i h
e ui h h ll d l a s s e o s cs c s a ea co n

i t
s s e ntly wi th ll t h d t r g i d by i
a d
e sen se - m a a eco n se s c e n ce a n a ssu e

hyp rb li g m try t h
e o c p will l b hyp rb li
eo e en ou r s a ce a so e e o c.

th t ph y i d g m t ry
,

Th m m t th t w
e o en a e see ti lly a s cs a n eo e a r e e ss e n a

co rr l ti f t i
e a ve rt i w y f tr ti g mm p i
ac o rs n a ce a n a o ea n a co on ex er

e n cew th t th r
e s ee d b a ti l i mp ti bi li ty b
e e n ee e n o e ssen a n co a e

tw t h thr m ”
ee n
g t
e i ee eo e r e S.
 THE W OR L D G
A S IM A IN ATIO N

Th e i dea li sm exi sti n g whi ch o bt a i n s o nl y for qu a lit a tive con ten ts

wh i ch ma k es
spa ce pr i v a t e o f thi s o r th a t m o n a d It i s n o t a n order which
.

to o u r s elv es

a n d o t h er
i n clude s the m o n a ds them selve s It h a s therefore .
, ,

fin i t e n o c o s mic st a n di n g There a r e priva te s p a ce s but

.
,
s e n t i en t s .

n o public o r c o mm o n o n e .

Thi s view i s superi or t o the clum sy hyp othe si s

put forwa rd by Ka n t It defin e s sp a ce a s the order
.

o f co n te n t s a s c c exi sti n g a n o rder s uch a s we a wa re

-

i n the c o lo ur s o f a s u n set or the t a ctu a l experie n ce

“
o f a t a ble . There i s n o futile t a lk a b o ut a f orm
which a wa it s a fil li n g provi ded by sen se N o .

s en si ble con ten ts n o spa ti a l order of cc exi s ten t p os i

,
-

ti on s
. But it i s n ot cle a r h o w the va ri o u s c olo ured
p oi n t s i n the su n set c on trive t o a llot p osi tion s to on e
a n other n o r if they a r e u n a ble t o do thi s h o w o u r
, , ,

c on fu sed t o t a l percepti on a rra n ge s them An d .

”
the m on a ds who se c o mbi n a ti o n s a r e sa id t o
,

c orre sp o n d i n a n o n sp a ti a l wa y t o the s e sp a ti a lly

,
-
,

a rra n ged c o l o ur s a r e n o t a s we h a ve urged verifi a ble

, , ,

e n titie s .

Sp ace i s a m a nn er i n which qu a lita tive c o n ten t s

a ppe a r i n the C I d uri n g th a t s wi n g t o p a rticul a rity
“
a nd l oo se n e ss i n which the m a n y a s sert them
s elves a n d bri n g a b o ut the self exter n a lity a n d -

di scords o f Na ture ( Pa rt III Ch a p Why . .

di d the o rigi n a l s i mu lta nei ty o f c o n te n t p a ss i n to

the form s o f s elf exter n a lity which we c a ll seque n c e
-

a n d c o existe
-
n ce i
i We sh a ll sugge st l a ter th a t the
p a ssa ge implie s c o n flict a n d tha t c c e xi ste n ce— the -

exi ste n ce o f c on te n ts a lon g side a n d m o re o r le ss ,

—
i n depe n de n tly o f o n e a n other i s o n e o f the fir st
,

grea t co smic i n ve n ti o n s t o c o pe with c o n fli ct ; a n

im a gi n a l triumph whereby a n o therwi se i nsoluble
 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

so luti o n a t a o ll N te
tha t with the reg a rdi n g o f
.
,

s p a ce a s fi ni te the f a m o us fir st la w o f m o ti o n bec o mes

,

o n ly a worki n g pri n ciple o f re stricted s c o pe .

Is p a ce c on sidered i n wa rdly i nfin ite or fini te

s , ,

Ha s every p a rt o f a n ext e n de d c o n te n t p a rt s which

a r e them s elve s ext e n ded a n d so o n 2 Here a g a i n , ,

qu a lity decide s Th e divi sibility will ce a se if the

.

c o n te n t i s n ot such a s t o a ll o w it An d i n t h e c a s e .

o f a n o utwa rdly fi n ite ( thi s or th a t ) Wo rld S ys tem -

,

we c a n ha rdl y s upp o s e tha t i t s p a rts i n wa r dl y ,

r eg a rded a r e i n fini tely divi sible p os se ss c o n te n t

, , ,

th a t i s t o s a y with o ut limit But if qu a lity h a s i t s

,
.

mea sur e t h e qu a lity order i s me a s ur a bl e a s well

,
-
.

Sp a ce here a lso i s fini te .

Th e Co s mic Im a gi n a ti o n c o uld we pe n etra te i n,

t i ma t ely a n d di rectly i n t o i t s a rc a n a a n s wer s a ll ,

s uch riddle s a b o ut s p a ce i n term s o f con ten t a n d n o t

by c on ceptu a l trick s o f di vidi n g a n d redividi n g ,

etc i n a th o ught pr o ce s s kept c a re f ull y a lo o f fro m

.
,
-

re a lity Altogether t o o much imp o rt a n ce i s a tta ched

.

by men to high a n d dry c on ceptua l thi nki n g .

We s h a ll c o n te n d l a ter th a t the sp a ce o rder o f -

Na ture i s c on ti n ue d i n the c on ten ts of e xperi en ts

like o ur selve s Th e c on ten ts of my c on sci o u s life
.

a r e s p a ti a l a s well a s ordered i n tim e But we h a ve .

fa r t o go befo re we c a n di s cu ss s p a ce a s it i n va de s
the fini te se n tie n t Th e i n va si on i s with a l i n dis
.
, ,

p u t a ble i n deed the n o ti o n th,

a t exte n s i o n d o e s n o t
s h o w withi n my p sychic a l life i s demon str a bly a b s urd .

“
I c a n poi n t t o exte n ded fa ct s i n my o uter a n d
i nn er experie n ce a like .
 S PACE
Ja me s did g oo d service i n urgi n g tha t the rel a Th t ta l e o
m mt
ti o n s which we c a ll s p a ti a l ( siz e sh a pe di sta n ce ifggig
‘a '

, , , r
t d
di recti o n c on ta i n er a n d c on ta i n ed up a n d do wn
fitfigi
fi f e
, , ,

etc ) a r e n ot superse n sible rea li ty but homo ge n e o u s b t

g l te
.
ct s r a c
, ‘‘
u
with the terms o r c on ten ts which they a r e sa id t o pi l
?
”
s e

rel a te Co n crete s p a ce we ma y sa y reduce s to a

.
, ,

whole o f c oexi ste n t qua lita tive co n te n t s An d we .

mu st k e ep thi s a spect o f whole n e ss a lwa ys i n mi n d .

Thi s whole o f p o s iti on s i s the c a n va s o n which N a ture

i s p a i n ted withi n the fra m e s upplied by the C I . .

Th e p o siti ons o ccupied o n the c a n v a s by th e se or

thos e c on te n t s ca n not be con sider ed a s du e s olely to
the conten ts themselv es but i n volve a r e fere n ce t o the
,

whole i n whi ch they o ccur .

Thi s whole i s im a gi n a l thought withi n the C I . .

” “
It i s n ot wh a t h a s been c a lle d a b solute s p a ce ,
Abs lu t e
g
still de a r t o a few m a them a tici a n s a n d re a li st s
a mer e ly c o n ceptu a l e n tity which rem a i n s a lwa y s

self ide n tic a l a n d imm o va ble a fixed pl a ce of pl a ce s

-
,

with fixed p ositi o n s a n d fixed p oi n t s of the c omp a s s .

All t h e f a ct s which s eem t o require thi s a b stra ct

a b so lute s p a ce ca n be b e tter u n der s too d by
refere n ce t o th a t tota l c o n te n t order whi ch i s the
-

a ctu a l form o f c o n crete s p a ce a s it o bt a i n s i n a n d

for the C I . There i s n o c a ll t o d a lly with m a the

.

m a t ica l a b str a cti on s .

Thu s uppo se with Po in c a re a ma n o n a pl a n et Pl t y

s a n e ar
nd
the sky o f which wa s c ons ta n tly c o vered with a i fiizfifif e
”
P 8 a °e °
thick curt a i n o f cl o uds so th a t he c o uld n ever se e
,

the o ther sta r s On tha t pla n et he wo ul d live a s if

.

it were i sola t e d i n sp a ce But he w o uld n otic e it

.

revolve s either by mea suri n g i t s ellipticity

,
’
or by repea ti n g t h e experime n t o f F o uc a ult s
p e n
 THE W OR L D AS IMAGINATION

dulum Th e a b solute r o t a ti o n o f thi s pl a n et might

.

be cle a rly s h o wn i n thi s wa y we kn o w th a t

fro m thi s fa ct N ewt o n c on cluded the exi sten ce o f
An o n he write s
”
1
a b s o lute sp a ce . Wo uld there ,

i n thi s c a se be a n y m e a ni n g i n sa yi n g th a t the e a rth

tur n s r o un d If there i s n o a b solute sp a ce c a n a ,

thi n g tur n witho ut tur n i n g with re spect t o so me

thi n g a n d o n the o ther h a n d h ow c a n we a dmit ,

Newto n s c o n clusi on a n d believe i n a b solute

’
,

s p a ce i
2
Poi n c a r é s fin a l vi e w i s th a t the t wo
’

“
pr o p ositi on s the e a rth tur n s ro un d a n d it i s
mo re con ven i en t t o s uppo s e th a t the e a rth tur n s
r o un d h a ve o n e a n d the s a me me a ni n g .

Ab solute sp a ce a s a st a n da rd of refere n ce by
which t o j udge m o veme n t s c ould n o t be repl a ced
by o ther cele sti a l bodi es ( s uch a s the ra i si n g o f Po i n
’
c a r e s clo ud curt a i n might reve a l )
-
Rela tive .

m oveme n t s might n o t sa ti sfy the i n ve stig a to r .

“ ”
Thus if , rela tive m o veme n t s o nl y a re i n vi e w ,

Pto lemy s de scripti o n o f the m o vem e n t s o f the sol a r

’

s y s tem ma y be c o n sidered a fre sh It i s a m a tter o f .

n n n —
c o ve ie ce the a vo idi n g o f tire so me c o mplic a ti on s
-
th a t we prefer Coper nicu s After a ll the s e a r e .

o n ly t wo w a y s o f descr i bi n g the s a me fa ct s They .

n eed n o t a s pire like a n a dva n ced met a phy sic s t o

, ,

pe n etra te i n t o the very a rc a n a o f Bei n g .

K a n t a rgue s th a t the differe n ce betwee n e g t wo , . .

,

s pir a l s wo u n d i n o pp o s ite directio n s but h a vi n g the ,

s a me i n wa rd order i n g o f th e ir p a rt s lie s i n the ,

o u twa rd rel a ti o n s o f the s e o bject s t o a s p a ce wh o l e -

“
give n a b so lutely Hi s s p a ce wh ol e o r . i n fi ni t e -

1
S ci ence a nd Hypothesi s English
, t r a nsla ti on , pp . 78—
9 .

2
Ibi d .
, p . 116 .
 THE WORLD AS IMAGIN ATION

Co n crete sp a c e i s o n e o f the gre a ter i n ve n ti o n s o f

im a gi n a tio n i n c o nn ecti on with a wo rld pro ce ss -
.

There i s a n old s a yi n g Th e world wa s m a de n ot i n

time but with time
1
,
— we ma y a dd n ot i n sp a c e ,

but with sp a ce S pa ce c o n sidered a s a n o vel

.
”

m a n n er o f a ppe a ri n g of c o n te n t i s o f c o ur s e a , , ,

re a lity a s re a l a s the c o n te n t its elf Rel a tive .

m o veme n t s o f b odi e s i n re spect t o o n e a n other h a ve

t o be c o n sidered a s o ccurri n g wi th i n thi s tota l s pa ce .

A divi n e experie n ce w hi ch i n clude s thi s tot a l sp a ce

,

a n d a ll i t s p a rt s i n clude s a ll th a t we mi s de s cribe
, ,

o r s ymb o li s e very di s t a n tly by s uch c o n cepts a s ,

ab solute sp a ce a n d a b solute m otio n .

”

6 . THE C I A s I N FIN ITE

. . . THE MULTIPLE SU BORD I
N ATE W ORL D S Y S TE M S -
As F N I THR U GHOU
I TE O T

7 . Th e CI
we h a ve see n i s a wh ole which
. .
,
as ,

ma y ( or ma y n ot ) i n clude ch a n ge s the s o urce of the

cha n gi n g lyi ng withi n itself It s ch a ra cter a s im a gi .
,

n a ti o n i s t o be a ctive i n the wa y o f e n j o yi n g s t a ti
,

c a lly o r o f cre a ti ng im a gi ni n g eve n a s we k n o w it ,

i n i t s dim m a n ife st a ti o n s i n o ur selve s i s a like c o n ser ,

v a t i v e a n d pr o ductive Th e pr o ductive o r crea tive .

proce s s o f c osmic ch a n ge sh o ws the divi n e fecu n di ty .

Th e C I i s n o t limited t o a c ons erva tive whole n e s s

. .

o r c o mplete n e ss o f bei n g it o verflo ws i n to n o velty ,

a t o n ce im a gi n a l pl a y a n d e xperime n t witn e sse s ,

the birth of gre a t succe sse s a n d a l so re sults o f n o

va lue or eve n s heerly evil the b a re mem o ry of ,

which h a s t o be de stroyed Time succe s si on a n d .

-

sp a c e a re o n ly a spect s o f thi s cre a tive m a rch .

1
i . e. ti me -su ccession .
 THE C I . . AS IN IN IT E F
Phi lo so phers h a ve o fte n deduced their u n re a lity fro m
“
their i n c ompl ete n e ss tra n s ce n di n g them i n a
,

re a lity which a boli she s the c o n tra di cti o n s n a tive

t o a ll i n c o mplet en e ss But thi s i s t o a ll seemi n g
.
, ,

“
a n e rr o r
. Th e se fo rm s o f c o n te n t a re certa i nl y
withi n a gr e a t e r rea lity the C I ; n everthel e ss Th , . .
,
e o r , i s it
or
th e y a r e r ea l a sp ects of a r ea l p rocess a n d mu st be
“
r e c o g ni sed fra n kly a s such They a r e fo rm s .

i n ven ted i n c on n ecti o n with a ch a n gi n g c o sm os

which i s o u t o f h a rmon y with it self a n d fi n i te ,

throughou t . Thi s me n ti o n o f fin i te n e ss bri n g s u s to

o ur n ext t o pic . Is t h e C I it self t h e gr o u n d o f thi s
. .
,

ch a n gi n g c o sm o s i n fini te or fin ite
,
An d if we sa y ,
“ ”
i n fin ite i n wh a t se n s e a re we u si n g thi s term
,

which c o n veys o ften a me a ni n g t oo va gue for

philosophy 3 ’

I n fin ite a nd fin ite
c o urse be i n ter fl h um ca n , o f er i ca l
‘
e p
,
flmt ln e.

p r e t e d m a n u m er i ca l wa y a n d i n the reg a rd o f ,

s peci a l pro ble m s mu st be But n umber ma y

,
.

be c o me a n o b se s si on S o me writers i n deed seem to

.
, ,

ha ve tho ught tha t i n a scribi n g n umeric a lly i n fini te

,

a ttribute s t o the Gro u n d o f a ppe a r a n ce s th e y we r e ,

i n t h e a ttitude o f exa lti n g i t s m a je sty Thu s .

Spi n oz a i n vests h is S ub sta n ce with a n i n fini ty

“
of o n h i s o wn a dmi ssi o n
”
a ttribut e s a lthough
, , ,

he r equ i r es on ly two— th o ught a n d e xte n si o n — t o

a cc o u n t for the k n o w n c o smo s f Th e re i s a ti n ge o f
a dul a ti o n a b o ut thi s ki n d o f writi n g n o b o dy b e i n g

i n a p o siti o n t o s a y th a t the Gro u n d h a s i n fi ni tely

n umer o u s a ttribute s o f th o s e wider type s s uch a s

S pi n o za ha s in mi n d Wha t i s the n umeric a l .

i fi ite
n n ? A multiplicity which a hyp o thetic a l
e n umera tor c a n be im a gi n ed t o c o u n t for ever with
o u t h o pe of c o n cludi n g h i s t a sk O r a s c on ceived ,
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
a cc ordi n g t o the decree o f Ca n t or a n d the n e w
m a them a tic s t o wit a n y cl a ss of which the p a rt s a r e
, ,

n umeric a lly s imil a r t o it self ? Thu s the s erie s o f

whole n umber s 1 2 3 4 5 6 c o mpri si n g o dd
, , , , ,

a nd eve n n umber s a like i s n umeric a lly s imil a r t o ,

the s erie s 2 4 6 whi ch i s p a rt o f it Every

, ,
.

term o f the fir st serie s ca n be p a ired with a n o ther

o f the p a rti a l s erie s i n a o n e to o n e rel a ti o n and - -

thi s e n dle ssly 1

Yo u wo uld h a r dl y pre ss for a n umer
.

ic a l i n finity o f a ttribute s the e sse n ti a l sig ni fic a n ce ,

o f which is th a t it s h a ll s a ti sfy thi s defi ni ti o n .

An o ther u se o f
i n fini te i s i n such phra se s a s
i n fin ite lo ve i n fi ni te wi sdo m a n d so fo rth , ,
.

Lo ve of c ourse i s n ot a cla ss of which the p a rt s a re

, ,

n umeric a ll y simil a r t o it self Nor a g a i n i s it .

, ,

i n fini te i n the s en se th a t it i s n o t b o u n ded by other

a s pect s o f the Un iver s e Like a ll these o the r di s .

t i n gui sh a ble a spect s it is limited by exi ste n ce beyo n d ,

itself It h a s i t s me a sure
. I n finite a s u sed thu s .
,
”

”
l oo sely c a n o nly me a n
, perfe ct after i ts ki nd .

Free dOm fro m s peci a l limit a ti o n s s uch a s w o uld ,

imp a ir thi s ide a l excelle n ce i s implied We s h a ll , .

di sc a rd thi s u se of t h e term .

1
Fi ni t e nu mbr e s a re de fi n ed i n t wo w a ys , o n e by ma th e ma ti ca l
i n du cti on . If b n e an
yfi n i t e nu mb r e , t he nu m b r bt
e o a in ed by
a ddi ng fi it d i
1 to n is t fr m
a lso Th b n e, a n s di ff r e en o n . us egi n

i g wi t h 0 w
n n f r m ri f mb r bye ca n i ddi o a se es o nu e s su c c e ss v e a

ti f 1
on s o W m y d fi fi it . mb r if w h
e a th e ne n e nu e s, e c o os e , a s ose

nu mb r t h t e s b bt i d fr m 0 by h t p d th t
a ca n e o a ne o su c s e s, a n a

o b y m th m ti l i d ti Th t i th l f fi i t mb r
e a e a ca n uc on . a s, e c a ss o n e nu e s

i th
s l e f mb r whi h i
c a ss o t i d i nu ry l t e s c s c on a n e n ev e c a ss 8 o

whi h b l g 0 d th
c e on r f ry mb r b l gi g t
s an e su cce sso o ev e nu e e on n o

s, wh r t h e e r f mb r i th mb r bt i d by
e su ccesso o a nu e s e nu e o a ne

a ddi g 1 t n th gi m b r
o ( B r t r d Re ll ) Th v en nu e e an u sse . e

o t h r d fi i ti
e r g r d fi i t mb r t h f l
e n on e a lik s n e nu e s as ose o c as ses u n e

th i r p rt bt i d by t ki g w y i gl t rm ”
e a s as o a ne a n a a s n e e s.
 THE W ORLD AS IM A GINATION
But if n o w you a sk Ma y n ot thi s re a lity
, ,

whi ch h a s n o limits set t o it by o ther exi ste n ce ,

n everthele s s be fin ite i n the s e n s e th a t i t s c o n te n t s

,

l i mi t d i k i d
e n n a r e limited i n ki n d a n d q u a n tity y o u r a i s e a di ffi
d “n ut"
an
culty An d we s h a ll n o t fin d a n a n s wer u nl es s we
.
,

bethi nk o ur s elve s of the ch a ra cter o f o ur Ultima te

a n d a r e free t o ou t ourselve s cle a r from tr a di tio n a l

thi n ki n g .

Th e C I the n i s i n fini te h a vi n g n o limit s sa ve

. .
, ,

th ose whi ch it impo se s o n it self But the se self .

impo sed limit s set b ou n ds to the va riety o f i t s

c on te n t All c on ten t is withi n it s c on sci o u s gra sp
.

i t i s free t o be co n sci o u s of everythi n g a n d a n ythi n g .

But c a n we sa y th a t thi s c o n te n t i n clude s a ll pos

s i ble c o n te n t ? Ha r dl y There a re world s e a sily
.

im a gi n a ble i n o ur vici o u s i n s a n e or experime n ta l

, ,

m o ods whi ch a r e i nf ern os a n d whi ch we ma y a ssert ,

c on fide n tly will n ever be embodied i n divi n e tho ught

,

o n the c o s mic s c a le A wo rld evolved solely for

.

the t orture o f its crea ture s wo uld be a go o d i n sta n ce .

We ma y c on te n d thu s ( 1) th a t the c on ten t a ctua lly

prese n t to the C I either a s c o n templa tive or a s
. .

i n iti a ti n g a time proce ss i s a ss ure dl y limited i n very

-
, ,

imp ort a n t re spect s a n d ( 2 ) th a t the n o xi o u s c o n te n t

, ,

pro duced so l a vi shly i n c on n ecti on wi th u s fin ite

s e n tie n t s a n d due i n p a rt t o o ur o wn i n iti a tive in ,

p a rt to the ba cchan tic im a gi n i n g o f Na ture i s n ot ,

t o be perm a n e n t a n d fo ul etern a lly the c o smic

tho ught ( Pa rt II Cha p III . It will be su p
. .

n —
pre ssed by the s c a ve n ger ch a ge bl o tted o ut so ,

th a t the to t a l im a gi n a l c osmic life ma y t a ke n o hurt .

Th e o n ly to ler a ble c on serva ti on i s o n e o f v a lue s .

Thi s s uppre s si o n i s cl e a rly a limit a ti o n th o ugh s elf ,

im po sed o f the co n ten t which the C I c o n serve s

, . . .
 THE C I . . AS INFINITE

Thus it seem s i n cre di ble tha t a ll co n te n t whi ch ,

i s p ossible i s a ctu a l i n the C I a n d a cc ordi n gly a

,
. .
, , ,

time h on o ured a ttempt t o cumber the Wo rld Gr o u n d

-

s t a n d s c o n dem n ed Th e true i n fin ity o f t h e C I Th i fi ity

f
. . e n n
,
.

th C I o e
i n re spect of c on te n t co n si st s i n thi s Co n s1der m
. .

p t f r es ec o
.
,

“m t
first the pha se o f cre a ti on There i s n o li mi t t o the .
en

pro ducti on of n ew c on ten t if the free life o f im a gi n a ,

ti on requi re s it An d thi s c on te n t i n iti a lly i m

.
,

perfect ch a ge s slo wly t o wa rd perfecti on

,
n — i e . .

towa rd the thor oughly ma de st a ge o f re a lity a s the ,

etym ol ogy o f the word perfecti on it self i n di c a te s .

Co nsider a g a i n the h i e of the C I a s c on tem

, ,
. .
,

p l a t i v e o r c o n s erv a tive In thi s the perfected o r .

thor oughly ma de re a lity o f a time pro ce ss h a s p a ss ed -

i n to t h a t e n duri n g wea lth which i n clude s a lre a dy ,

—
u n told tre a sure the tre a sur e which i s i n he a ve n ,

a s a the ol ogi a n might s a y Th e re a lity of time .

succe ssi on a s i t fl ow s i n to the p a st

,
i s n o t yet , ,

a s we s ugge sted c o mpletely m a de P a rt II Ch a p II

, ( . . .

But whe n thoroughly m a de a t the co s t ,

perha p s of o bliter a ti on of much o f i t s o rigi n a l

,

c on te n t it h a s bec ome a rom a n ce a mply worth pre

,

s erva tio n i n the divi n e c o n s ci o u sn ess .

In the Ca rte si a n se ns e o f the term the C I Th C rt i

mfimt ag a m
. .
,
e a es a n
e
a s co n templ a tive a ctivity of re st is i n fini te ” '

, ,

b ec a u se it i s the on e perfect re a lity the tota lity of ,

the a cc ompli shed perfecti on s ha rm oni ou sly ble n ded

or c ompen et r a n t But n o vel pro ce sse s of the.

m a ki n g of re a lity a n d n ovel perfecti on s a re yet t o

flo wer si n ce ima gi n a ti on i n virtue of i t s eter n a l
, ,

cha ra cter i s a ctive to a chieve a s well a s to e n j o y

, .

To su m up — In re spect of it s elf depe n de n ce S umm

s -
a ry o f

the C I is. . i nfi n ite in the Hegeli a n s e n se o f the term

r es ul ts
.
”
 THE W ORLD AS IM A IN ATIONG
In re spect o f i t s c o n te n ts it i s a t a n y ra te i n i ts
, ,

purely c o n templa tive or c on serva tive a spect ln ,

fin ite i n the Ca rte si a n s en se a s a t o ta li ty o f the ,

perfectio n s h a rm on i o u sly fu sed In re spect o f the .

va riety o f i t s c on te n t s there a re limit a tio n s i n

,

the i n tere st of the t ot a l im a gi n a l life Yo ur fir s t .

th o ught ma y be th a t the se limita ti o n s imply the

n u mer i ca l fini te n e ss o f the c on te n t s pre s e n t t o the

CI. . But thi s wo uld be a mi st a ke Yo u ma y .

s ubtr a ct a qu a drilli o n u n it s fr o m a n i nfin ite c ollee

ti on a n d you will still be un a ble t o c o u n t the o ther

uni t s o f the c ollectio n — for the excelle n t re a so n
th a t n o l a st u n it c a n be f o un d S imil a rly i n the .

c a se of i nfi nitely n umerous c on te n t di ffere n ces i n -

the C I the s uppre ssi on of qua drilli o n s wo uld le a ve

. .
,

the re st i n fi n itely n umero us s till I a m ig n ori n g .

the i ssue a s t o whether there i s a n i n fini te n umber

o f s uch di ff ere n ce s Th e excu se i s th a t I do n o t
.

kn o w a n d c a nn ot fin d o ut a n d I do ubt n ot tha t ,

my re a ders a re a ll i n the sa me pre di c a me n t .

O ur World S ystem i s pro b a bly onl y o n e o f a

-

multiplicity perch a n ce a n i nfi nite plur a lity o f like

, ,

S ystem s n ot directly i n touch with on e a n other

, .

An d n o o n e Wo rld S ystem c a n be s upp os ed t o

-

exh a u st the o utg o i n g of the I D EA ; it i s ra ther a

sa n dgr a i n o f c ol o s sa l imp ort a n ce o nl y i n the eye s

o f i t s a llied s e n tie n t s It i s a thi s or tha t fin ite a s

.
,

p a rt o f a multiplicity i n which it i s a lmo st l ost .

A W orld Fi n ite as h a vi n g o ther s beyo n d it o ur World

, ,

S y st em mu s t
n ot b e c on S ystem i s doubtless a lso fini te in a ll re sp ects An d
, ,
.

s i der e d i n t h e

l i gh t o f
we mu st n ot be led by study o f m a them a tic a l ,

a b s tra c t the orie s of i n fi ni ty c on ti n uity a n d the like t o

, , ,
ma t h ema t i c s
l o se sight of thi s c omm a n di n g c o n sidera ti o n The se
.

.
 THE W OR L D AS IM A GINATION
Th e pure f orm s a re c o n ceptu a l i n ve n ti o n s .

No o n e sa ve c on ceptu a lly h a s ever di vided a p a rt

, ,

of pure sp a ce or time he h a s n ever e ve n bee n

a wa r e o f it I n tuited s p a ce a n d time a r e a lwa ys
.

“
impure with fill in g ”
Ma tter a g a i n i s a c on .
, ,

cept which d oe s n ot a s such exi st i n Na ture ; it , ,

i s merely o n e o f o ur i n ve n ti o n s a c o n te n t n o t per ,

c ei v e d but of the i n tellectu a l sort We h a ve di s

, .

p osed h o wever of the cl a im s o f m a tter

, , l on g
a go ( P a rt I Ch a p II . . .

Th e que stio n mu st be di scussed u n der the form

-
a r e s p a ti a l a n d tim a l con ten ts i n fin itely divi sible

a nd we h a ve c on sidered thi s i ssue a lre a dy If .

c on te n t is a va il a ble i n i n exh a u stible a m o u n t a ,

s p a ti a l o r tim a l qu a n tity le n ds it s elf t o t hi s o per a

ti on ; if n ot the oper a ti o n i s merely me n t a l gym

,

n a st i c s There i s a te n de n cy t o believe i n i n defi n ite

.

divi sibility a t fir st Thu s h a vi n g divided a sa n d .

,

gra i n i n tho ught I c a n im a gi n e o n e of the p orti on s

,

m a g nified divi de it a g a i n a n d repe a t the perform

, ,

a n ce by the h o ur O r n ot troubli n g a b out pictori a l

.
,

im a gi n i n g I c a n c on duct the o per a tio n verb a lly

, .

There i s n o thi n g t o limit the pr o c e ss but there i s ,

so methi n g t o i n v a lid a te its truthf ul n e ss If conten t .

i s n ot s a n cti oni n g the se e n dl e ss divi si on s I a m ,

u n do n e .

Qu a lita tive c o n ten t of a fra gme n t a ry world fi n ite ,

i n virtue of i t s very o rigi n i n buddi n g o ff i s n ot -

,

s uch a s t o s upp ort e n dl e ss a ctu a l di vi si o n s A l a ck .

o f s e n sible c o n te n t will limit the p o ssible e n umer a

“
tio n o f p oi n ts i n st a n ts a n d bits
,
”
, .
”

Experie n ce le n ds no s upport to the belief in

 S PACE
i n fini te di v i sibility a s fa ct It i s a Comm a n d .

Co n cept ( Pa rt I Ch a p II 4 ) u nr a t i fied so fa r a s
. . .
,

we c a n tell by re a lity ,
It i s a ccepted widely be .

c a u se it h a s m a them a tic a l ba cki n g a n d m a the ”

m a tl os i s supp osed to ha ve a speci a lly a ssured gra sp

o f truth .Thi s wa y lie s the d a n ger Ma thema tic s .
,

a s a pplied t o pr a ctice a n d a s furt heri n g o ur im a gi n a l

”
previ si ons or c a lcula ti on s require s n o defen ce ,
.

But a l a rge p orti on o f it s the ore tic p a rt i s a l oof from

the c on crete experien c e d world i s i n fa ct a world , , ,

u n to it self ; a borted i ma gi na ti on to whi ch n o thi n g , .

l
Ab
m m
ag
or te d
t l on
i n thi n g s c orre sp o n d s It form s a very i n tere sti n g
'

bywa y whi ch n eed n o t h owever c on cern thos e

, , ,

wh o tre a d the m a i n highro a d o f c o smic life Ar e .

u murm u i g met hi g b ut u n iv r a lity a n d

y o r n s o n a o e s

n ece ssity There i s n othi n g th a t n eed di sturb

y o u here U. n i ver s a lity a n d n ece ss ity whe n they ,

o bt a i n ,ma y c on cer n o n ly a c on ceptua l fie ld If .

y o u cre a te s t a ble e n titie s by C o mm a n d C on cept -

a n d cre a t e a l so st a ble rul e s o f o per a ti n g them yo u

, , ,

c a n pur sue the u n iversa l a n d n ece ssa ry g a me t o

yo ur hea rt s de sire You a r e by hyp o the si s a lwa ys
’
.
, ,

de a li n g with the sa me t hi n g s i n the sa me wa ys It .

“
U n i v er s a l i t
y,

h a s bee n o verl ooked th a t eve n a g a me of che ss ,

° f ch m !
un derstood i n thi s m a nn er i s u ni ver sa l a n d ,

n ece ssa ry Th a t i s t o sa y 1 P KB4

. 1 P K4 ,
. .
-
. . .
-
.

. 2 P K Kt 4
.
-
2 Q R5 . Ma te i s a lwa ys va lid a n d
. .
-
.

“
mu st be v a lid For the pi e ce s o r e n titie s
.
”
,

i n dic a te d by t h e s ymb ol s a r e a lwa ys the sa me i n the , ,

r esp ects tha t con cer n the a me a n d t h e m o de s o f u si n g

g ,

th e m a re a lwa ys the sa me Th e a b o ve n o ted re c ord .

-

i s therefo re liter a lly

, ,
u n iver sa l a n d n ece ssa ry .

But the sta teme n t h o lds true on ly wi thi n the doma i n

of chessboa rds An d a m a stery o f t h e ch e ss do m a i n
.
-

wo ul d n ot o f itself fit you to explore the Un iver se .

 THE WOR LD AS IMAGINATION
r
Exp e i en c e On the o ther h a n d e xperie n ce a cqua i n ts u s with
,
do p f
t fig gig
g p l fi d
0

d f
0 0

b ct v r ed c
0 0 Q

o s
e r c e l v e s p a t l a o j e s o a l n i te en e a n
t hmg m tmg exi sti n g 1n n umber s which a ss ure dl y wo uld be fo u n d
s e
, ,

3 2322
1
1 t o be a lwa y s fi n i te h a d a n y o n e the i n tere st a n d me a n s
.
,

t o c o u n t them No o n e s upp o se s th a t men pyr a mids

.
, ,

s a n dgra i n s ,
a nd microbes exi st i n n umber s so
c o pi o u s a s to form cl a s se s who se p a rt s a re n um e ri
c a lly like them selve s i e n umeric a lly i n fi n ite A
,
. . .

c olum n of le a f cutti n g a n t s o r the m olecul e s i n a

-

g a llo n o f wa ter a r e very n umero u s but they a r e n o t ,

“
An d simil a rly i n re spect
”
an i n fini te c ollecti o n .

Of time c on te n t it is o nl y the finite whi ch a ctu a l

-
,

experie n ce reve a l s Thi s is t o sa y tha t the the ori st ,

h a s t o refer his i n fini te di vi sibility to regi o n s

which proces se s of verific a tio n n ever rea ch .

But thi s spec ul a tive i n fini te di vi sibility i s n ot

o nl y a dweller i n d a rk n e ss It s eems de sig n ed a l so
.
, ,
‘

t o preclude the p os sibility of wha t we kn ow to be fa ct .

Thu s I cr oss a r o o m — i n so do i n g I h a ve o ccupied

i n s ucce ssi o n a cc ordi n g t o certa i n m a them a tici a n s
, ,

a n i n fi ni ty o f s p a ti a l p oi n ts Which i s imp ossible . .

Yo u c a n n o m ore tr a ver se a succe ssi o n o f i nfin i tely

n umer o u s poi n t s th a n c o u n t your wa y thr o ugh them .

Th e i ni ti a l i n ch wo uld bog yo u Fo r the i n ch a n d .

the di vi si o n s o f t h e i n ch a r e a ll sa id t o c on ta i n a n
i n fini ty o f p oi n t s Yo u c a nn ot exh a u st on e after
.

the other p oi n t s the ch a r a cteri s tic o f which i s th a t

,

they n ever ca n be exha u sted Th e the oretici a n h a s .

o verlo o ked a pr a cti ca l di ffi culty As Ja mes p oi n t s .

o ut, thi n g s ha ve to be a cc ompli shed a s well a s

a n a ly s ed a fter the eve n t .

A like di fficul ty c o n cer n s time tra n siti o n s uch a s

a -

the explosi o n of gun powder a fter co n ta ct with a

 THE W ORLD AS IM A IN ATION G
s ceptici sm will bec o me so r a di c a l th a t o nl y a hyp o
thetic a l a n d m o st u n i n viti n g Ab solute s hut o ff ,

fro m hum a n experien ce c a n survive critici sm , .

An ythi n g sh o rt o f thi s Ab solute p osse sse s o nl y a

degre e o f re a lity the e ssen ce, o f a ll fi n ite

s e n tie n t s a n d thi n g s bei n g c on tr a dictory Th e .

fa bric o f experie n ce crumble s i n to r ui n s a s we thi n k .

It s eem s n ece ssa ry therefore th a t we sho ul d try

, ,

t o limit the prete n si o n s o f the pri n cipl e o r a s ,

we s h a ll prefer t o c a ll it ma xi m o f c on tra di cti on

,
.

Perch a n ce we a r e Fra n ke n stei n s terrified by a

m on ster of our o wn cre a ti o n An d percha n ce the .
, ,

m on ster ma y pro ve le ss formida ble th a n he a ppe a r s .

If Hegel i s right the la w

, of c on tr a dicti o n

c a n n o t h a ve bee n derived a s Mill a n d o ther s h a ve ,

urged fro m exp e rie n ce Acc o rdi n g t o thi s writer

, .
,

There i s a b solutely n o thi n g wh a t e ver i n which we

c a n n o t p oi n t t o c on tr a dicti on s o r o pp osite a ttri bute s
a n d n ece ssa rily so a n d a ll th a t the a b s tr a cti o n o f

u n der sta n di n g ! di sti n ct c on ceptu a l th o ught ! me a n s

i s the forcible ret e n ti o n o f a si n gle a ttribute a n d the ,

effort t o o b scure a n d rem o ve a ll c on sci o u sn e ss of the

o ther a ttribute which i s i n volved O r a ga i n .
”

Every c on te n t i n cludes n ot o n ly diver s e but

eve n o pp o site ch a ra cteri stic s No thi n g i s so i m .

p ossible for i n sta n ce a s thi s th a t I a m ; for I

, , ,

i s a t the s a me time a simple c on n exi o n with s elf ,

a n d a s u n d o ubtedly c o n n exi o n with so methi n g el s e .

Th e sa me m a y be see n i n eve ry o ther fa ct i n

”
the n a tur a l o r spiritu a l wo rld 1
Herb a rt i n d eed .
, ,

1
W ll
a a c e, Logi c f
o Hegel D octrin e of Essen ce, p . 225 .

r r f r A ti
,

Hen ce t h e e a r e n ot me ely ou n no mi es su ch a s K a n t di s
cu ss ed . An ti nomi es a pp r i ll bj
ea n a o ects of thought wh a t ev e r ,
 THE M AX IM OF CO NTRADICTION

h olds th a t these c on tr a dicti on s persi s t s till ,

eve n tho ugh n omi na lly M rmon i sed i n Hegel s ,

’

higher a ffirm a ti ons a n d b a se s a n obj ecti on t o hi s

,

s y s tem o n t h e s upp o s ed f a ct Thi s i s a telli n g c on .

t e n ti on But whether we a ssen t t o it or n ot the

.
,

a lleged b a sic c o n tra dicti on of the finite t o wit Th ,

e a lle g e d

“
tha t it i s so mewha t a s well a s somethi ng else h a s ,
”

t o be recko n ed with A thi n g i s wh a t it i s o n ly

.
“th e fin i te '

i n a n d by re a so n o f i t s limit We c a nn o t therefore .
, ,

reg a rd the limit a s o n ly e xtern a l t o the bei n g which

i s the n a n d there It r a ther g oe s through a n d
.

thro ugh every p a rt .

If a s a ra dic a l empirici st I ta ke experie n ce a t i t s

, ,

fa c e va lue I seem forced to hold tha t a n ythi ng

,

I k n o w i s a lwa ys a n d i n evit a bly it self a n d a l so , ,

so methi n g e l se In a n e n tirely co n vi n ci n g wa y
.

N ot h i n g i s t h a t s si n g e,
’
l
All thi ng s, by a la w di v i n e,
In on e a n oth e r b ’
s ei n g mi n gle .

Th e b a sic c on tra dictio n a sserted o f the fi ni te

by Hegel i s o nl y a m a n n er o f expre ssi n g thi s
mi n gli n g 1
We a re s ure th a t fini te thi n g s
.
”

mi n gle i n the Cos mic Im a gi n a ti o n a n d th a t a n y

la w , which sugge sts tha t they exi st a ltogether
a p a rt fro m o n e a n o ther i s a b s urd An yt hi n g i s
, .

s o methi n g el se i n so fa r a s thi s l a tter pe n etra te s

,

a n d h elp s t o c o n stitute it But i n worka da y life .

we l a rgely ig n or e the so methi n g el se i n the

i n tere st s of pra ctice a n d eve n a s thi n ker s a n xi ou s ,

1
r r
An oth e ma nn e i s t he ma t h ema ti ca l on e I cull om S t a llo fr .

p
In ma th e ma ti ca l hr a se th i n gs a n d t h ei o e t i es a r e no n r pr p r k w
on ly a s fun c t i on s o f o th e r
th in gs a n d o e ti es ( C o n c e p ts a nd pr p r
Theori es of M odern P hysi cs , p .
 THE WORLD AS IM A INATION G
to adequ a te o ur priva te thought t o re a lity we te n d ,

to overloo k it if onl y fro m h a bit

,
.

Herb a rt th ough o pp osed t o Hegel do e s n ot

, ,

s upp o s e th a t there a r e n o c on tr a dicti on s in

experie n ce On the c o n tra ry he c o ns ider s th a t the
.
,

bu si n e ss o f m e ta physic s i s t o rem o ve the c on tr a

di cti on s fro m m o de s o f experie n ce a n d t o wo rk
p a tie n tly t o wa rds n o n c on tra di ctory tho ug ht Thu s
-
.

he h old s th a t the i n here n ce o f propertie s i n a

- —
u n ita ry thi n g a tree o r i nk pot give s ri se t o the
-

s elf co n tr a dict o ry co n cept o f a o n e th a t i s m a n y

-
.

Simila rly the popul a r c on cept of a n ego i n so “

,

fa r a s it implie s the pre se n ce of the m a n y i n the

on e , s how s c o n tr a dicti o n It h a s to be retho ught
.
,

a n d freed fr o m thi s blemi sh .

must Ari st o tle y s th a t truth mu st be c on si ste n t with

fi352
f 1 sa
e

con si s t en t , b itself i n every di recti o n But i ts first duty surely

m
.

h t
'

t
3
8
1s t o be c o n s1st e n t w1t h r e a h t y Wh a t n ow 1f t h 1s
.

“
35 2535 re a lity c o n ta i n s c o n tra dicti o n s a n d truth
11
re , ,
11 10

p orti n g the c on tra di cti o n s h a s to fin d roo m for

g fiéfifid
b l ’
,

H br er a t ? them ? Truth will c on ta i n c on tra di cti on s ,

”

bec a u se it da re s n ot c o n tr a dict re a lity ! Co n

s eque n tly it i s n ece s sa ry for Hegeli a ns a n d Herb a r

ti a n s to tr y to tra n sform rea li ty a s we kn ow i t up , ,

to the poi n t where i ts contra di cti on s di sa pp ea r .

Hegel a n d o ther s try t o do thi s di a lectic a lly a n d

ide n tify truth with the whole o f a thought o u t -

re a lity whi ch h a s n o o ther o ut side it self a n d i s ,

therefore co n si ste n t with itself But if Herb a rt

,
.
,

Ou t st a di n g
n i s right the,
c o n tra di cti on s still p er si st e ven i n
con tr a dl c m n g
Hegel s a lleged h a rm oni o u s wh ole Herb a rt a ga i n
’
'

.
, ,

i n ve n t s a n on c o n tra di ctory s ystem o f

-
re a l s
—
beyond empiric a l re a lity a lto gether a t the ba ck
 THE W OR L D AS IM A INATION G
gra ss but a lso the somethi n g else which gree n
,

gra ss implie s a n d i n virtue o f whi ch it is i tself Thi s

, .

s ometh i n g else bel on g s t o Na ture .

An es s en ti a l So fa r , goo d Th e me a n i n g the n of the so

so .

ca u ti o n .

c a lled c on tr a di ct ori n e ss o f t hi s gree n gr a ss i s

th a t th ough it i s di scussed i niti a lly a s mer ely i tself

, ,

it i s a lso i t s other 1
Thi s i s n ot t o s a y th a t the gr a ss
.

i s a l so yell o w S uch a sta teme n t woul d impug n

.

the fa ct th a t it i s i tself th a t it i s B a s well a s n ot B -

.

An d we a re c o ns ide ri n g a c a se i n which B i s t a ke n
fo r gr a n ted B ( green ) i s a pre se n ta ti on which
.

a tte st s it s elf .

In the i n tere sts of di sti n ct perceivi n g or c o n cei v

i n g a n d o f the selective a cti o n b a s ed o n them ,

a tte n ti o n i s f o cu ssed re s trictedly a n d very p a rti a lly .

We a re n o t a lwa ys wa n ti n g a c o mplete vi si o n o f
truth Wh a t i s n oticed reg a rdle ss o f irreleva n t
.
,
”

a n d u n helpf ul implic a ti on s m a y su ffi ce for o u r ,

p a ssi ng n eeds Thu s if I a m p a i n ti n g the gre e n

.

gr a ss it i s e n o ugh for me th a t A i s B the other I

,

lea ve t o the philosophers .

But n o w n ote the c omplic a tio n which wor se n s

thi s difficult di scus si on On the o n e h a n d I h a ve .
,

t o a ccept a n d e n dor s e the view th a t A is B a n d a l so

“
so met hi n g el s e
”
But o n the other h a n d so me o n e
.
, ,

sa ys t o me
“
Does n ot the la w of c on tra di c
,
‘

ti on h old o f such o ppo sed sta temen ts a s the gra ss

1
The wi th th ir tt r w t f th ght t k ry
s en ses , e u e an o ou , oo ev e

t hi g li mi t d
n d fi it f
e an B i g Thi p n i t th
e or b ti e n . s a ss es n o e o s n

ac y f o d r t di g whi h
un e s an i w th fi it
n , m thi g
c v e s e n e as so e n

i d ti l wi th i t lf
en ca d t i h r tly
se lf t r di t ry
an no n e en se -c on a c o

( H g l L gi f H g l W ll
e e , o c o p e e , a a ce, .
 THE MAX IM OF CO NTRADICTION
is gree n the gr a ss i s n ot green n ot gree n - -

b ei n g the c on tra dict ory which a t fir st sight m erely , ,

de n ie s gree n but which me a n s i n pra ctice on e o f a

,

li s t o f con tra ry c ol o ur s ? Ca n gra ss be gr een a n d

a c o n tr a ry c ol our a s Ar i st otl e put s it a t the sa me
, ,

time a n d i n the sa me wa y An d if yo u a dmit

the va li di ty of the la w i n thi s c a se an d a llo w ‘

th a t here a t a n y ra te A i s n ot b o th B a n d n ot B
, ,
-
,

wh a t a b out Hegel s sn eer a t the la w a s a mere ’ ‘

fo rm o f the a bs tra ct u n ders ta n di n g 1

Th e
s itu a ti o n i s a tryi n g o n e a n d I pro p o se t o de a l with ,

it te n ta tively thu s .

Isthe e sse n ce o f a n y a n d every fi nite thi n g

properly de scribed a s c o n tra dictory
{ g
An y A p j ly d
fi it
m n e

g
ro er e

th a t i s B i s a l so i n the Hegeli a n se n se somethi n g 5923 3?

, , ,

di a m
”
?
e l se t o wit the n ot B which
, pen etra ti n g it m a ke s
-
, ,

it just A It i s i t s o ther i n so fa r a s the othe r

.
,
”

help s t o m a ke it wh a t it i s In thi s sen se the o th er .

o f the gree n gr a ss i s i n l a s t re sort the n a ture , ,

sys tem withi n the Co smic Im a gi n a ti o n Th e very .

da te o f t h e gra ss i t s pl a ce fo rm c ol our tempera ture

, , , , ,

“
rustli n g mo i sture etc etc implic a te thi s other
, , . .
,

beyon d it self But we s ha ll do well t o be wa ry of

.

the term c on tra di cti on a s expre ssi n g thi s situa

ti on Green gra ss sou n d a t ootha che a m ou n ta i n
.
, , , ,

et c . a r e n ot
, properly spea ki n g,
co n tra di ct ory , .
”

They a r e i ncomp lete a spect s of a re a lity the c o n te n t s ,

o f which do n o t exi st i sol a te dl y but e netr a te a n d

p , ,

to thi s exten t help to con sti tu te on e a n other

, Thi s .

rea lity i s the im a gi n a l u ni verse Th e exten t o f .

thi s c ompe n etr a tio n o f c on ten t s the exte n t o f t hi s ,

a ltera ti o n o f the c o n te n t s
’
i n tri n sic di fferen ce s by
mutu a l i n fluen ce o ffer s a very h a rd problem La ter
, .

1
Logi c O f Heg el , p . 184 , Doctrin e of Essen ce .
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
we sha ll be u n a ble to ig n ore however i ncompeten t
,

we a r e to solve it , .

P r
en e t a ti on
No w this pe n etra ti o n of co n te n ts by o n e a n other
a n d c on fl i c t .

( so th a t the s u n f o r i n s t a n ce i s liter a lly where

, it ,

a ct s e g i n the li ght o f the gree n gr a ss ) i s n o t merely

,
. .

a pr o ce ss o f confl i ct Pe n etra ti on ma y further a s .

,

well a s cl a s h with the ch a ra cter o f a n i n va ded co n ,

—
te t i t ma y bri n g n o velty i n to it while n ot a lter
n

i n g i t s r a di c a l qu a lity Th e n o t B o r so methi n g .
-

el se , which m a kes A wha t it i s i s n ot a lwa ys

”

c on tra di ctory i n the se n s e th a t it i s con tra ry to

the cha ra cter o f A a s B a n d te n d s to de stro y thi s
ch a ra cter .

C
tr dicti
on pro perly so c a lled i s a c a se o f
a on , -
,

confl i ct ; the c o n flict o f cou n ter sta temen ts which -

“
a s s ert o f a s ubject wh a t we c a ll i n c omp a tible ,
”
di screp a n t c o n tra ry di sp a ra te ex ”

, , ,

”
elusive etc predic a te s Gree n a n d yello w a r e
,
.
, .

s uch c o n tra rie s or di scr ep a n t s yo u c a n n ot

a ssert tr ul y th a t gr a s s i s gree n a n d yell o w i n the

s a me pl a ce a t t h e s a me time bec a u s e the s e c o l o ur s ,

confl i ct a n d refu s e t o meet i s to c ompen etr a te ,

. .

1
fully while pre servi n g their speci a l ch a ra cter s
,
.

But n ot a ll merely differ en t c on ten ts o f the C I a r e . .

In c ompa ti les b .
i n compa ti ble Very m a n y further or a re i n di fier en t
.
,

1
It w r h t y th t ll mpi ri lly k w i m
oul d be as o sa a a e ca - no n n co

p ta i bl m t
es r m i d r usll d i t i e t r ry N t
a n , unr e a c on on s , con a . a u e,

wri t J m es m y r li
a es , w rm ld thi g wh a r twea se a a co n en e v e o

p i t f th ki
o n s o r t g th r
e s t t b l lly di ti
n , so n e a o e e a s no o e oc a s n

g iu s h d e t h
, d t h
a re wi t h w
ou c r m t h teh r w i,
t h ld
e on e a a , e o e a co

pi f m t l Th w rmth d th ld th ft f lt
e ce o e a . e a an e co a re en o en e

as if i t h m
n bj ti pl e sa U d r imi l r ndi ti tw
e o ec ve a ce . n e s a co on s o

o bj t h rp
e c s, o n e s d th th r b l t m y f l li k
a an h rp e o e un , a ee e on e s a

bl t thi g Th m p m y pp r f tw l r if by
un n . e sa e s ace a a ea o o co ou s
 THE W OR L D G
A S IM A IN ATION

a n d in the sa me wa y Th e f o rmul a a s thus u n der ,

s t oo d s eem s puerile
,
It s wo rth lie s n o t i n c o n
.
,

v eyi n g truth but i n the sphere o f pra ctice It

, .

s a fegu a rd s the u se o f wo rd s i n pr l v a t e re a so n i n g

a n d i n c o mmu ni c a ti o n s t o o ther s sp oke n pri n ted , ,

or written It s j u stific a ti o n i s verit a bly thi s

. .

—
Gree n a n d yello w a r e i n c o mp a tible s trea t them
verb a lly a s s uch whe n pre se n ta ti on a n d im a gery
fa il It i s a m a xim ra ther th a n a n
. a pr i or i

truth o r ge n era li sa ti on fro m experie n ce .

But c o n si ste n cy of sta teme n t whether for ou r ,

o wn u se o r th a t o f other s i s s ecured n o t so much

, ,

by thi s m a xim a s by the de sire t o li ve Verb a l sig n s

, .

a n d the ide a s s ig n ified by them mu st n o t be u sed

i n s uch a wa y tha t their c on fli ct s ma r the g uid a n ce

o f o u r a ctivitie s pr a ctic a l a n d the o retic a l
,
There .

i s n o i n sti n ct n eeded but the bro a d i n sti n ct o f self

pre serva ti on ; were it n ot for thi s we s ho uld pr o
b a bly c a re very little a b out o b servi ng the c on diti o n s
o f n ece s sa ry truth If we c ould go o n a s well by
.

m a i n t a i ni n g a n o pi n i on i n o n e form o f wo rds whi le

den yi n g it i n a n other there a ppe a rs t o be n ot hi n g
,

i n o ur me n t a l c on stituti o n th a t woul d s ecure u s

”
a g a i n st c o n tr a dicti n g o ur s elve s
1
On the wh o le
.
,

we c a n n o t a ff ord t o ig n ore c on si ste n cy But .

,

n everthele ss very n umero u s i n co n si ste n cies a r e

,

rife Th e st ory o f the religi o n s i s full o f them

. .

Eve n i n the re a lm o f scie n ce a n e ther a b o ut which

”

b a tche s o f i n c on si ste n t st a teme n t s a r e m a de pl a y s ,

i t s p a rt . Th e me a n i n g of the se f a ct s i s th a t i n c o n
si ste n cy so metime s h a s i t s u se s In o ther dep a rt .

me n t s o f r e se a rch there i s a n i n t ere st i n c o n si ste n cy

o f st a teme n t a s s uch a s i n the c a s e o f the hi gh a n d
,

1 Bi
a n, Logic, i 15
. .
 THE M AX IM OF C O T A N R D ICTION

dry a b str a cti oni sm of Form a l l ogic Th e fo rm ul a of .

c on tra dicti on reign s here supreme It i s n o l o n ger .

a t a cit c o n ve n ti on s uch a s m a ke s hum a n i n terc o ur s e

,

fr ui tful a n d help s t o check verb a ll y emb odi ed

tho ught but a c on sci o u sly re spected
,
pri n ciple
a lwa y s kept i n view .

SU MMARY or R E S U LT S
Th e C I i n clude s confli cts o f which pro p o siti on s
. .
,

th a t predic a te c on tra rie s or i n c omp a tibles of the

s a me thi n g a r e o n ly illu str a ti on s Co n tra dicti on .
,

properly so c a lled i s a c a se of c on flict of c ou n ter

-
,

pro p ositi o n s whi ch sa y i n o pp ositi on To sa y .

tha t gra ss i s gree n a n d yell o w i n the s a me pla ce

a n d a t the sa me time i s futile bec a u se the se ,

qua litie s c o n flict a n d c a n n o t c o mp e n etra te without

l osi n g the ir speci a l ch a ra cters A c a nn ot be B .

a n d n o t B si n ce n ot B here i s n ot merely d
-
,
-
ifferen t

fro m B but con tra r y or hosti le to it a n d ten ds t o

, ,

de stro y i t s cha ra cter It c a n be B a n d n ot B .

-
,

gree n a n d yell o w i n di ffere n t pla ce s or a t di ffere n t

,

time s bec a u se the colo ur s ce a se the n t o confl i ct

, .

But there a r e o ther c on ten ts with whi ch greenn es s

is c o mp o ssible i n i n tima te mi n gli n g A ble n d .

i ng of the gree n n e ss a n d the s weet s mell o f a le a f

i s a c a se i n p o i n t A i s both B a n d n ot B which
.
-
,

l a tter i s di ff ere n t but n ot c on tra ry or de structive

, ,

o f the gree n .

Co n tra rie s a re kn own o nly by experie nce We .

“
d o n o t therefore require a
, ,
la w o f c on tr a dicti on
t o a ssert th a t c on tra rie s a re c on tra rie s

But we require perha ps , ,

a m a xim reduci n g the
 THE W OR L D A S IM A GINATION
ri sk of i n c on si ste n t sta temen ts i n ou r thi n ki n g a n d
c ommu nic a tio ns a b o ut rea li ty which i s n o t
immedi a tely i n view Co n tr a rie s or i n c o mp a tible s
.

a r e mutu a lly exclus ive m o de s o f the C I Tre a t . .

them verb a lly a s such let yo ur prop o siti on s t a ke -

w
heed o f the arri n g rea lities to which they refer .

No fin ite t hi n g such a s a tree i s c o n tr a dict ory

“
so met hi n g
”
m the s en se tha t it i s a n o ther ,

el se or n ot B whi ch i s its c on tra ry i n the ma n n er

“

-
,

i n whi ch yellow i s a co ntr a ry of gr een It i s true .

.
th a t the tree i s wha t it i s i n virtue o f o ther
rea lity which pe n etra tes a n d so help s to c ons titute, ,

it But a va st de a l of thi s o ther re a lity i s o n ly

.

differen t fr o m the tree a n d ca n a n d do e s pe n etr a te

it with o ut c o n flict Th e n ot B i n S h ort c ompri ses
.
-
, ,

c on te n t s whi ch a re fa r fro m bei n g a ll i n c o mp a tible

with the tree Whe n a n d o nly when the pe n etra
.
, ,

ti on o f thi s n ot B becomes i n c omp a tible with the

-

tree the tree i s so a ltered tha t it di e s

, A is B .

va n i she s be c a u s e n ot B ha s become a true c o n tra ry

,
-

which de stroys it .

In ti n g the c ompen etra ti o n s o f co n ten t i n

no ,
’
e n dorsi n g Go ethe s s a yi n g tha t thi n g s mi n gle with
o n e a n o ther
1
we mu st be c a reful n ot t o i nf er tha t
,

these thi n g s a r e therefore u n rea l S ome writers

, ,
.

”
thi n k th a t a thi n g whi ch i s s e lf tr a n sce n de n t -
,

whi ch implie s e xi ste n ce beyo n d it self a n d c a rrie s

u s i n th o u ght to wa rd s thi s betr a ys 1n the pro ce ss ,

th a t it i s fa l se a ppea ra n ce ” Thi s i s a v a g a ry o f .

i n tellectua li sm An ythi n g of which there is a wa re

.
,

n es s i s i n some wa y re a l i e h a s a pl a ce i n the
, , . .

1
We hav e yet to discuss thi s mi ngli n g a nd a r e o nly n oti n g

the t r uth th a t i t r
occu s.
 THE WOR LD G
AS IM A IN ATION

of religi o n a r e Sublime but their scree s a r e littered,

with rubbi sh Few hum a n e n thu si a sm s h a ve give n

.

ri se t o worthi er re sult s ; few t o p oi so ns so per si st

e n tly n o xi o u s t o t h e i n di vidu a l a n d the c ommunity .

Pa rtic ul a r religi on s with their ve sted i n tere st s

, ,

come a n d go But the Co smic Im a gi n a ti o n rem a i n s

. .

Is there a c o smic em o ti o n o n the gre a t s c a le which

a n s wer s t o t h e religi o us a ttitude o f a fin ite bei n g

We a r e ch a ry o f sa yi n g m ore a bo ut c osmic em oti on

th a n h a s bee n ve n tured a lre a dy But if religi on .

be devoti o n to the m o st perfect re a lity experien ced ,

we a re remi n ded of wha t we h a ve sa id a lre a dy a b o ut

c o smic lo ve Th e religi on of the C I i s the e mo
. . .

t i on a l r a pture o f a n a ctivity which a wa r e s it self

i n i t s c on te n t a n d a wa r e s th a t co n te n t a s utterly
be a utiful a n d a s wh ole .

9 . THE CI . . AN D T RU H T

10 With u s phil oso phic a l truth i s

. a bo ut

re a lity Truth clo se s fully with rea lity i n the C I

. . .

c on sci o u s a ctivity a wa r i n g c on te n t which i s im a gi n a l

tho ught i n i t s pro te a n texture D irect i n tuiti on .
,

o f the n a ture o f imme di a te feeli n g i s implied — the ,

con s ci o u s n e s s i s a t o n e with the c o n te n t which it

cc a wa r e s
-
Thi s c on te n t i s n ot limited t o fix i t y
. .

It s ho ws the cha n geful o r cre a tive pro c e sses which

we ha ve di scu ssed But who c a n sa y h o w thes e .

n o veltie s a ppe a r a mid t h e o ther i n exh a us tible

tre a s ure s o f divi n e thought On the o ce a n of the
i n fin i te a ripple which for u s might la st a billi o n
,

ye a r s i s a s n o thi n g A r o m a n ce o f the gre a t a rti st

,
.
,

fra ught with the de sti nie s o f u n n umbered worlds ,

is a n epi so de .
 CHAP TER I V

ON C E R TA IN IMP R O TAN T A S P EC T S or T HE C I . .

C ON S ID ERED P R SE A A TE LY ( con ti n u ed )

1 . WE ha ve c on sidere d lre a dy so m e imp orta n t

a

a spect s o f c o n t e n t Co n te n t i n the wide st se n se

.
,

o f the term me a n s everythi n g or a n ythi n g o f which

,

t h e C I i s cons ci o us
. . Th e b a sic con ti n uum o f
.

re a lity or t h e Uni ver se i s jus t the C I reg a rded a s . .

con s ci o u s a s a ctive ly co a wa r i n g
,
t hi s i s the ide n
-

tity or u n ity side o f t h e World Gro u n d the b a sic -

u niver sa l th a t e n wra p s a n d perva de s bei n g o .

Con te n t sta n ds fo r t h e differ en c es t h e m a n y t h e , ,

rela tively di scret e va riety which a pp ea r s i n t h e

c o smic life ; i s a n a me for the i n de fi ni te ly va ried
pha se s o f ima gi n a l fa ct which the a ll embra ci n g -

cons ci o u s a ctivity gra s p s .

We ha ve m a de spec ul a tive i n cur si o n s i n to t h e Ou r

d
dom a i n of thi s c o smic tho ught ha ve so ught t o igfi i ’ e a te

de scry wha t a r e the ge n era l cha ra cteri stic s of t hi s

tota l im a gi n a l life a n d with r e sult s th a t pr o mpt the
,

m a ki n g o f furt her experime n t s a n on Thu s we s ha ll .

sugge s t s ho rtly the m a n n er i n which Na ture budded

o ff fr om i t s ima gi n a l gr o u n d a n d in so doi n g ma
, y , ,

c ome to l ea rn m ore a bo ut the cha ra cte r o f the

291
 THE W OR L D AS IM AG IN ATION

gro un d it self But befo re emb a rki n g on thi s ve nture

.
,

we s ha ll do well t o exa mi n e cert a i n c o n cept s which

fig ur e very pro mi n e n tly i n o ur thi nki n g a b out
Na ture a n d the sen tients a llied therewith We .

mu st be a ble to sta te with so me preci si o n wh a t we

“
me a n by the c on cept s of t hi n g s qua litie s
,
”
,
”

“
a nd rel a ti o n s which a r e a lwa ys t o the fo re i n
di scu ssi o n s o f thi s sort An d we sh a ll ha ve t o
.

c o n sider with speci a l a tt en ti on the pro blem o f the

“
i n tera cti o n o f t hi n g s i n time succe ssio n a n d -
,

t o submit i n thi s r e g a rd a n e w view o f the rel a ti o n

o f c a u sa ti o n o f vit a l sig ni fic a n ce t o phil o so phy .

Whe n sugge sti n g l a ter h o w Na ture ma y h a ve

c o me t o exi st we s ha ll be gl a d th a t so me prelimi n a ry
,

tre a tmen t o f c a u sa ti o n wa s n o t o verlo o ked A .

n o vel pri n ciple o f m o vem en t b a sed o n the

,

im a gi n a l ch a ra cter o f re a lity i s t o be m o o ted Le t

, .

u s c o n s ider it s ep a r a tely bef o r e te s ti n g i t s virtue s

i n the o rde a l o f a wo rld pro c e s s -

.

Ob serve th a t the fo un da ti o n s o f o ur ide a li stic

thi n ki n g a r e n o w l a id We h a ve left b e hi n d wh a t
.

a r e k n o wn a s the m e ch a ni stic hypo the s e s a b o ut

rea lity We c on sidered the s e hyp o the se s a n d fo u n d
.

them l a me n t a bly u n so u n d ( Pa rt I Cha p . .

They a r e v e n tur e s a t wa r with the exp er i en ce t o

which they a ppe a l We h a ve n o te d i n the c o ur se
.
,

of the se critici sm s wh a t the ultima t e re a liti e s

,

o f phil o so phic a l m a t e ri a li s m a n d a llied creed s truly

a re. They a r e im a gi n a l cre a ti o n s o f fi ni te se n ti e n t s ,

o f m e n like o ur s elve s They a r e n ot c o smic r e a liti e s

.

which pre e xi st e d t o the hi story o f thi s pla n e t a n d

-

i t s childre n Th e y a r e br o ught i n t o c o n ceptua l bei n g

.

when men un der the pre ssure o f n ee d see k t o

, ,

c o n trol their en viron me n t a n d h a ve to i n ve n t the

 THE W OR L D AS IMAGINATION

o cc ul t e n duri n g e n tity c a ll ed En ergy Thi s .

hyp othetic a l e n tity whi ch de spit e i t s a lleged pr e

, ,

s e n ce i n c o un tle ss experie n ced tr a n sf o rm a ti o n s c a n ,

n either be perc e iv e d n or eve n defi n ed s a ti s f a ct o rily ,

ch a n ge s we a re t old u n der c erta i n c o n di ti on s i n to

, , ,

so c a lled
-
p sychic a l e n ergy o r c o n sci o u s life It .

i s e lus ive h a vi n g n o a bi di n g qua lity a n d i s a s

, ,

devo id o f i n wa rd pur p osive u n ity a s a r e the sta ble

“
m o vi n g m a sse s which it serve s t o repla ce We .

h a ve h a d a lre a dy a smil e a t the expen se o f thi s

e n tity exil e d fro m it s pro per do m a i n of pra ctice
,

an d thru s t i n to meta physic s We S ha ll ha ve .

o ther s .

M oder n mecha n i stic views h a ve their he a dwa ter s i n

the scie n ce o f the w a ni n g sixteen th a n d seven teen th
cen turie s a n d th e ir rem o te sour ce s i n the mecha n ic s
a n d a t o mic m a teri a li sm o f so me o f the Greek s Th e .

fu n da me n t a l me a n i n g o f wh a t h a s been c a lled the

c a te g ory i e wa y o f thi nki n g o f m e ch a n i sm i s th a t
,
. .
,

the beh a vi o ur o f thi n g s i s imp o se d a lwa ys by

o ther thi n g s externa l to th em An y di sc o ve ra ble .

wh ole c on si sts i n l a st re s ort o f mutu a lly excludi n g

, ,

a n d ext e r n a lly d e t e rmi n ed p a rt s wh e ther c o n ceived ,

a s m a ss p a rticle s
-
o r a s m o r e elu s ive
, a n d refi n ed

m o di fic a ti o n s of the se Thu s the n o ti o n o f the

.

m a chi n e c o n tr a st s sh a rply with tha t o f a n idea l '

sen ti en t u n i ty which expre s se s i t s purp o sive life i n

it s p a rts and h a s i t s beh a vi o ur determi n ed

e n tirely by c on di ti o n s withi n it self It i s worth
1
.

rem a rk i n thi s c on n e cti o n tha t t h e m a c hi n es which

1
Me ch a ni ca l pith t th t b ppli d t k wl dg
is an e e a ca n e a e o no e e

a n d c on du ct . O k wl dg b r H g l i id t b
ur no e e, o se v es e e ,
“
s sa o e

mech a n i ca l or by r t w h
o e, t h w rd h enm i g f e o s av e no ea n n or u s ,

bu t c on ti nu e ex e n a t r l t th o t pti d t h ght
e sen ses , o con ce on a n ou ;
 M ECHAN IS TIC T HEORY
figure r o a ds r a ilwa ys a n d i n o u r fa ctori e s
on o ur , ,
“
a r e n ot perfect i n st a n c e s o f the m a chi n e philo
s o p hi c a l They a t l e a st e mb o dy o ur purp os e s i n
.

c on structi n g them a n d fur ther th e y c o mp el u s , , ,

t o s upervi s e m o re or le ss c a re full y t h e ex e cuti o n o f

the se purp ose s Th e m a c hi n e p hi lo so phic a l utterly
.
,

divo rced fro m purp ose pre sen t a n d p a st i s n ot , ,

t o be fo un d i n the perceived wo rld It exi st s .

,

i n so o th o n ly i n phil o so pher s he a ds th o ugh it h a s

’
, ,

s erved cert a i n pur p o se s o f i n ve s tig a t or s rem a rka bly

well .

Th e s mecha ni c s wa s i n ven te d i n Greece Th i

cie n ce of e r se of
m d o er n
i n re sp on se t o a n i n tere st i n such m a tter s a s leve r s m h ec a n i s ti c

th i ki n ng
a n d weight s o f b o di e s B o di e s reg a rded i n such a n .

i n t ere st a b str a ctly fro m the o ut side a n d stripp e d ,

“
o f i n c o n ve ni en t s ec o n d a ry qu a litie s l e n d the m ,

selve s re a di ly t o mech a ni stic th o ught Useful t o .

s ci e n ce a n d pr a ctice thi s sort o f t hi n ki n g fo un d ,

expre ssi on a l so in m e ta physic s t h e prim a ry bu si n e ss ,

of whi ch i s n ot t o sub serve pr a ctice but t o te ll

, ,

the truth a b o ut re a lity Ther e re sul ted the a to mic .

mecha n ic s o f D e m o critu s a n d hi s la ter i n tellectua l

kin echo e d a g a i n by R om a n s i n c a p a ble o f phil o
, , ,

so phic a l i n iti a tive o f th e ir o wn After a l o n g i n .

t er v a l a n d prim a rily i n the i n tere st s of physic s

,

a n d a str o n o my mech a n i s tic th o ught revived i n t h e

,

s eve n tee n th c e n t ury a n d i n thi s a n d the f oll o w ,

a nd wh b i g i mi l rly t r l t h th r th y f rm
en e n s a ex e na o ea c o e , e o a

m i gl
ea n n q C d t p i ty t
e s s se u en cei th m w y on uc , e , e c. , a re n e sa e a

m h i l wh b h i i ttl d f hi m by r
.

m
’
ec a n ca , en a an s e a v our s se e or ce e

m i l l w by
on a piri t l d i r t i h rt wh hi w
a s, a s ua a v se , e c .
, n s o , en s o n

mi d n d will an t i hi ti whi h i thi w y

are no n s ac on s, c n s a a re

extr t him lf
a n eou s
( W ll o L gi f H g l p
se 2 9 0 a a ce s
’
o c o e e , . ,

D t ri oc f th N tine o e o on
 THE WORLD A S IM A GINATIO N
i ng ce n tury m o ved t o c o n que st a fter c on que st .

Ke pl e r wh o r e pl a ced the p sychic a l p o wers movi n g

,
“
the pl a n et s by force s Ga lileo who beg a n t o
, ,

re solve the qu a lit a tive ch a n ge s i n Na ture i n t o

ch a n g es o f qua n tity led the wa y M ech a n i stic
,
.

m o der n met a physic s a s c o n tra sted with mech a n i stic

,

dep a rtmen t a l s cien c e da wn ed l a ter with D es c a rte s

, .

True D e sc a rte s ( wh o be it remembered c o uld i n

, , ,

s pire a Ma l e br a n che a n d a Geul i n x ) s eemed t o divide

the Uni ver se pretty fa irly betwee n Tho ught

a nd Exte n si on
”
. But he kept the se dua li stic a lly
co n ceived exi ste n t s rig oro u sly a p a rt An d tho ugh .
,

no a t o mi st i n the se n se of believi n g i n i ndi v i s i ble

ultim a te m a teri a l u n it s he pr offered a th o ro ughly
,

mech a n i stic expl a n a ti o n o f the st a n di n g o f the p er

c ep t u a l wo rld
. Astr o n o mic m o veme n t s the det a il s , ,

i n f a ct o f a ll i n org a ni c pro ce sse s a n d eve n the

”
,

physi ol o gy of org a ni c life were c on ceived o n s trictly

,

—
mech a n ic a l li n e s a s illu stra ti o n s o f the phen o me n a
o f m a tter a nd m o ti on Note th a t h e a cce n t e d
.

e xte n si o n a s the m a i n di sti n ctive qu a lity o f n o n

p sychic a l exi ste n ce A m ore m odern vot a ry o f

.

m e ch a ni sm wo uld emph a si se by pre fere n ce the

qu a lity kn o wn va ri o u sly a s i n erti a re si st a n ce or , ,

m a ss He might be a l so i n e a r n est with a r a dic a lly

.

m e ch a n i stic meta phy sic s a n d quit e i n differe n t t o

th a t side of D e s c a rte s which tre a t s of Th ought .
”

It i s p a rt o f the iro n y o f thi n g s th a t h i s c a teg ory o f

mech a n i sm di scl ose s i t s i n a dequ a cy ju st whe n it
s eem s a b o ut t o triumph .

No w it is n ot di fficult t o surmi se why t h e o ld

Greek mech a ni st s whittled down rea li ty i n to a t o m s
a n d their m o vem e n t s The se a t o m s a r e c o mp a ct of
.

the prim a ry qua litie s which a r e fa mili a r to us

 THE WORLD AS IMAG INATION

defin iti on o f Ma tter as co - exi ste n t p ositi on s th a t

o ff er re si s ta n ce
1 ”
.

Th e a to thi s Ma tter is sugge sted

mi c vi e w of

by the fa ct th a t very m a n y thi n g s c a n be cut ,

sm a sh e d or s ee n t o bre a k up
, i n to bit s Th e ,
.

bit s still further bro ke n up i n tho ught a n d sup ,

po sed t o c on si st o nl y o f e xt en si on a n d re si st a n ce ,

a r e the D e m o cr i t a n a tom s They a r e c on ceive d t o .

m o ve i n a ll sort s o f wa ys a n d i n the se wa ys li e s the ,

s ecr e t o f wh a t they c a n d o Ato mi sm i s thu s a n .

i ma gi na l cr ea ti on n ot o f the C I but o f the fini t e

,
. .
,

hum a n se n tie n t wh o i s ma stered a t la st by wh a t

h i s f a n cy c on struct s Ma stered bec a use a s a .
, ,

mech a ni st h e m a y c o me t o rega rd the a to m a s the

,

so urce o f the very im a gi n i n g which cre a ted it .

Th e D
lton i a n a to m
a a n d the m ore recen t
su b a to m or
-
electro n a r e o nl y devel o pmen t s o f
thi s old world im a gi n a l them e
- 2
Th e ether a g a i n .
, ,

a b o ut which we s h a ll s a y s o methi n g a n o n i s s imply ,

a n im a gi n a l Ma tter reima gi n ed t o serve n ew ,

”

purp ose s It wa s i n ve n t e d a s Po in ca r e p oi n t s o u t
.
, ,

to e s c a pe the bre a ki n g do wn o f t h e l a ws o f g en er a l
mech a n ic s — i n the fa ce o f n o vel f a ct s An d s i n ce .

p ur p ose s va ry with di fier en t gro up s of physici sts

a n d chemi s t s the c o n tra dicti on s of eth er spec ul a
,
-

ti on so fa mi li a r t o critic s re sult But c o mpeti n g

, , .

expla n a ti on s teem withi n the wh ole fi eld of mech a n

i st i c thought Most theori sts writes Poin ca re
.
,
”
,

ha ve a c on st a n t predilecti o n for expla n a ti o n s

1
Th e p ti f M t t r r d d t i t
c on c e on o a e e u ce o s si p
m lest sha pe i s
th t f
a oi t t p i ti t h t ff r r i t
c o -e x s e n os on s a o e e s s a n ce , a s c on t a sted r
wi th pti f Sp i whi h th
ou r c on c e on o a ce , n c e co -exi sten t p o si ti on s

off r
e r it
no ( Fi P i ipl )
es s a n c e rs t r nc es .

2
Cf I di i d l
. nd R li y p 111 if
v ua an ea t , . .
 MECHAN ISTIC THEO RY
bo rr o wed fro m p h ysic s m e cha ni c s or dyn a mic s , ,
.

S ome woul d be sa ti sfie d if they coul d a cco un t for

a ll ph e n o me n a by the m o ti o n s o f m o lecul e s a ttr a ct

i n g o n e a n o th e r a cc o rdi n g t o cert a i n l a ws O thers .

a r e m ore e x a ct ; they wo uld suppre ss a ttr a cti on s

a cti n g a t a di s t a n ce th eir mol e cul e s woul d foll ow
r e ctili n e a r p a th s fro m which they would onl y be
,

de vi a ted by impa ct s O ther s a g a i n such a s Hertz.

, , ,

s uppr es s t h e f orce s a s we ll but s upp o se th e ir m ole ,

cule s s ubj e cted t o g e om etric a l c on n exi on s a n a l og o u s ,

for i n sta n ce t o th ose o f a rtic ul a ted sy s tem s

,
thus
the y wi s h t o r e duc e dyn a mic s t o a ki n d o f ki n e
ma tics In a wo rd they a ll wi sh to bi nd N a ture i n to
.
,

rm u th y c a n d o thi s they
a certa i n
fo a n d nl
,
e s s e

c a nn o t be sa ti s fie d Is Na tur e fle xibl e e n o ugh for

.

thi s ? e ve ry tim e th a t the pri n cipl e s o f le a st

a cti on a n d e n e rgy a r e sa ti sfie d we sh a ll se e th a t ,

n ot o n ly i s there a lwa ys a mech a ni c a l e xpl a n a ti o n

p ossible but tha t ther e i s a n u n li mi ted n umber of

,

s u ch exp la n a ti on s By me a n s o f a well kn o wn
.
-

theorem du e t o K oni g s it m a y be s ho wn th a t we ,

c a n expl a i n e ve rythi n g i n a n u nl imite d n umber o f

wa ys by c o n n e xi on s a ft er t h e m a n n er o f Hertz
, ,

or ,a ga i n by ce n tra l force s No do ubt it ma y be

, .

ju st a s e a sily de m o n stra te d th a t everythi n g m a y

be e xpl a i n e d by S imple imp a ct s 1
Why do we .
”

t ol era te thi s unl imited n umb er of p ossible

mecha ni stic expla n a ti o n s a n d the fl a gra n tly c on
tra di c t or y re sult s o f m a n y o f tho se a ctua lly pro ff ere d
to us Why i s n ot the whole b a n krupt c a teg ory
o f m e ch a ni sm left b e hi n d

Th e a ns wer is tha t o n e de scripti o n of thi s so rt Why w e

th
is as g oo d as a n o ther so l on g a s it i s n ot o ffered a s
e

1
S ci ence a nd Hypothesi s Eng , . t r
a ns ,
pp . 167—8 .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

meta physic s a n d s ub serve s pra ctice We a re i n a

, .

re a lm o f sh a de s Th e p ositi n g o f h o m o g e n e o u s
.
,

rel a tively i n depen de n t exter n a lly determi n e d p a rt s

, ,

the o u sti n g o f se c o n da ry qu a litie s s o fa r a s i s

pr a ctic a ble the s i mp lifica ti on i n fin e of n a tur a l
, , ,

phe n o men a a i d a n d a bet c a lc ul a ti on R e served

, .

for u se a re qu a n tit a tive a spect s o f phe n o me n a s uch

a s a r e me a sur a ble a n d le n d them se lve s t o m a the

ma t i ca l tre a tme n t An y co n structi o n by which such

.

a s pect s c a n be utili sed s ucce ssf ul ly m a rk s a triumph .

Riva l c on structi o n s which work equ a lly well a r e

equ a lly ju stified .

In m a them a tic a l physic s a cha ir sa y bec o me s , ,

i n tho ught a s et o f m olec ul e s i n sp a ce or a gro up ,

o f electr o n s a p o rti o n o f the ether i n m o ti o n

, or ,

however the cu rren t s ci en tifi c idea s descr i be i t But .

the p oi n t i s tha t scie n ce reduce s the ch a ir to thi n gs

movi ng i n spa ce a nd fl
in uen ci n g ea ch other s
’
moti ons .

The n the va ri o u s eleme n t s or fa ctor s which e n ter

i n to a set of circum st a n ce s a s thu s con cei v ed a re, ,

m e rely the thi n g s like len gth s o f li n e s size s o f

, ,

a n gle s a re a s a n d volume s
,
by whi ch the p ositi o n
,

o f b o die s i n sp a ce c a n be s ettled O f c ourse i n .

,

a dditi o n t o the se ge o metric a l el e me n t s the f a ct o f ,

m o ti o n a n d cha n ge n e ce ssit a te s the i n tro ducti o n o f

the r a te s o f ch a n g e s o f s uch eleme n t s tha t i s t o sa y , ,

vel o citie s a n g ul a r vel o cities a ccelera ti on s a n d s uch

, , ,

like thi n gs Acc ordi n gly m a the m a tic a l physic s de a l s

.

with c orrel a ti on s betwee n va ri a bl e n umber s which

a r e s upp os ed t o r e r es en t the c o rr e l a ti o n s which
p
exi st i n n a ture betwee n t h e me a s ure s of the se
geo metric a l elem e n t s a n d of their ra te s o f ch a n ge .

But a lwa ys the m a them a tic a l l a ws de a l with va ri

a ble s a n d it is o nl y i n the o cc a si o n a l te sti n g o f the
,
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATIO N

but we mu st n ot a sk fro m it wh a t it c a n n o t give

us Th e o bject of m a thema tic a l the o rie s i s n o t to
.

reve a l t o u s the rea l n a t ur e o f thi n g s tha t wo ul d

be a n u nr e a son a ble cl a im Th e o nl y o bject i s t o .

c o o rdi n a te the phy s ic a l l a w s with which phy sic a l

-

experime n t m a kes u s a cqua i n te d the e n u n ci a ti o n ,

o f which wi th o ut the a i d o f m a th e m a tic s we S h o uld

, ,

be un a ble t o effect Wheth e r the ether exi sts or .

n ot m a tter s little let u s le a ve th a t t o the meta

, ,

An d a g a i n Th e m a ss a n d e n ergy
”
physici a n s 1
.
,

with which we de a l i n physic a l experime n ts a n d i n ,

the m a them a tic a l re a so n i n g b a sed o n i n ducti on s

fro m the experime n t s a r e purely c on ceptu a l qu a n ,

titie s i n tro duced t o bri n g order a n d simplicity i n to

,

o ur percepti o n o f phe n o m e n a But s cie n ce t a lk s .

o f m a tt e r a n d e n e rgy a s th o ugh it k n ew o f the

re a litie s c o rre sp o n di n g t o t h e men t a l im a ge s t o

“
which a l on e the se n a me s s trictly a pply 2
Th e .
”

m a them a ti ci a n live s i n a purely c o n ceptu a l sphere ,

a n d m a them a tic s i s but the higher devel o pme n t o f

”
symb olic l o gic
3
o r a s we s h o uld put it he dwell s
, , ,

o fte n i n a b a ckwa ter o f the cre a tive im a gi n a ti o n ,

where a s met a phy sici a n s seek t o sa il on the m a i n

s tre a m o f c o smi c im a gi n a l life .

Ta ke n to o eri o u sly the mecha n ic a l theory i s

s , ,

wha t J B S ta llo c a ll s it
. a surviva l o f M e di a eva l
.
,

Re a li sm s i n ce it mi st a ke s c o n cept s
,
which i n ,

t hi s c a se a re m e re i n strumen t s for the c o n tro l o f

phe n o me n a for the thi n g s which they repre s e n t a n d
,

1
H Poi n ca re S ci en ce
.
,
a nd Hyp othes i s En g , . t r a ns , p . 2 11
.

2 W . C . D . Wh th m e a , MA . .
,
The Recen t Dev elopmen t of
Physi ca l S ci en ce, p 44 . .

3
Ibi d , 34 . p . .

4
Concepts a nd Theories o
f M odern P hysi cs , p . 150 .
 MECHAN ISTIC THEOR Y
for which i n our thi nki n g they sta n d S e n sible
, ,
.

experie n ce a cqua i n t s u s with a quite di ff ere n t world

fro m tha t sa y o f Ha eckel wh ose meta physic s
, , ,

a ssume s a b so lutely rigid c a u sa l u ni fo rmitie s em

“ ”
b o died i n a t omic mech a n ic s In p o i n t o f f a ct .

a b solutely rigid c a u sa l uni formitie s a r e o nl y

meth o dolo gic a l p os tul a te s n ot truth s di spl a yed ,

t o view i n the experie n ced world Verific a ti on of .

the a lleged a b solute reig n of la w i s l a cki n g a n d 1

,

mu st a lwa ys be la cki n g In the seco n d pl a ce .

,

writer s like Ha eckel fa il t o see tha t their thi n ki n g

, ,

i s a l o of fr o m c o n crete Na tur e a s o rigi n a lly perceived .

They h a ve fo rg o tt e n experie n ce e g the view fro m ,

. .

the Ma tterhor n ( Pa rt I Cha p II 7 a n d t a ke . . .

their i ma gi na l substi tutes for the perceived world a s ,

i n verity tha t wo rld it s elf ,

An d thi s wa y lie be .

wilderme n t a n d i n c o here n ce Th e substitute s a re .

a ltogether to o thi n .

Th e perceived world m a sks i n deed a re a lity , ,

which doe s n o t a s yet S ho w ful ly t o u s But it , , .

do e s n ot m a sk a r e a lity i n terpreta bl e a s mech a n ic s .

It i s of o n e ti s sue with th a t fuller a nd r i cher N a tu r e

which lie s i n the Co smic Ima gi n a ti o n a n d o f which
o u r fr a gme n t a ry perc e pti o n s a ffo rd u s the v e rie s t

glimp se 2
With th a t richer Na tur e a r e a llied i n
.

de fi nitely n umero u s so cietie s oi se n tie n ts m a j o r a n d ,

mi n or wh ose h a bitu a l m o des o f r e a cti on c o rre

,

s po n d a s Pr o f Ta yl o r put s it t o the a ppr o xim a t e

, .
,

u nifo rmitie s which we di scu ss i n text b o o ks a s -

1
Cf . r bl h p t r
th e Th M i gad mi a e c a e on e ea n n of La w in
Pr f A E T yl r El m t f M p hy i Bk m p
’
eta ch a iii
‘

o . . . a o s e en s o s cs ,

pp 2 16—40
. . . .

. .

2
Cf P rt III
. Pr li mi ry Ob r ti
a p e na se v a o ns re s ec ti ng Na tu re
Ev olution
”
a nd .
304 THE WORLD AS IM A IN ATION G
“
l a ws O nl y the gla mour o f i n herited ficti on
.

preve n t s thi n kers fro m su specti n g the truth .

n k
Fr a e stei n
n h a s bee choked by
n hi s —
m on ster the
c a teg o ry o f mech a n i sm .

Th e mech a n istic view like a ll n a rro w c a teg orie s

, ,

i s b o u n d soo n er o r l a ter t o s h o w i t s i n a dequ a cy .

It sa ys so little a n d a fter a ll re a lity di spl a ys so

, , ,

much ! Pa ssi n g o n ce m ore fr o m mech a n ic s a n ,

a b str a ct a n d hyp o thetic a l s cie n ce t o survey the ,

c on crete prote a n world order yo u fin d th a t yo u-

,

h a ve bee n simplifyi n g c o mplex re a lity i n o rder to

de a l t h e m o re c o n ve n ie n tly with so me o f i t s a spect s .

s —
No w it i s u seful t o implify for a purp os e Yo u .

limit a tte n ti o n e g for the purp o se s o f m a them a tic a l

, . .
,

physic s But you mu st n ot limit a tte n ti on i n th a t

.

fa shi o n for the purp ose s o f t h e i n quiry th a t c on cer n s

us n ow Certa i nl y the Cosmic Im a gi n a ti o n h a s
.

a s pect s which c a n be di s cu ss ed i n vi e w o f ce rt a i n ,

e n d s a s if they were mech a n ic a l but it h a s a w e a lth

, ,

o f o ther s which do n o t l e n d them se lve s t o thi s m o d e

o f tre a tme n t a t a ll Th e re i s a Fa ll a cy o f S implicity

.

which we sha ll do well t o a void 1

Th e s cie n c e o f .

m e cha n ic s do e s n o t c ompri se t h e fo u n da ti o n s n o , ,

n or eve n a p a rt o f t h e w o rld but o nl y a n a s p e ct ,

o f it ( M a ch ) M ech .a n i s tic th o ught i s d o o med a s

soo n a s we bec o me a wa r e o f wh a t experi e n ce a ctu a lly

i n clude s Crea ti o n i s n ot a n a ffa ir o f equa ti o n s

. .

3 . L et
gl a n ce briefly a t so me of the c on cepts
us

u sed by mecha n i stic thi n ki n g It will be see n tha t .

they a r e i ma gma l cre a ti o n s n o t c opie s o f o rigi n a l s

,

t o be f o u n d i n perceptu a l experie n ce .

1 Indi vi dua l a nd Rea li ty, pp . 9 4—5 ,

 THE W OR L D AS IM A IN ATION G
i n to which it i s put by i n fluen ce s extra neous to i tself .

In er t i a .
Th e tr o uble here i s tha t re si st a n ce i n evit a bly
a nd
1
s ugge st s a ctivity tha t i n ert or p a ssive r e,

s i s ti n g we a r s the l o o k o f a c o n tr a di cti o n i n term s .

He i s a b old m a n wh o a ssert s defini tely th a t t h e

eleme n t o f re si sta n ce i n the s en sible world i s
p a ssive o r i n ert i n the p o pula rly a ccepted se n se o f
the word But the sta teme n t wa s m a de delibera t ely
.

by t h e di sti n gui shed physici st s wh o wrote t h e Un

2

seen Un i v er s e s o much di s cu ss ed i n i t s da y ; the

,

r 61e o f M a tter s o they a ver i s

3 ”
s imply p a ssive
, ,
.

An d thi s imput a ti o n of p a ssivity a n d implied

s tupidity a n d bli n dn e ss i s ech oed t o da y i n a ll -

jour n a li stic s creeds a b o ut brute Ma tter Na y it .

,

c ol o urs the m e ta physic s eve n o f a Berg son wh ose ,

“
i n ert Ma tter seem s i n the fir st i n sta n ce t o h a ve
bee n t a ken o ver u n critic a lly from de scriptive
s cie n ce a n d w o rk a d a y th o ught .

It cu sto m a ry t o di scu ss re sista n ce or i n

is
er t i a a s if it wa s a qu a lity p o sse s s ed a b so lutely

a n d i n a lie n a bly by t h e u n it s o f Ma tter Wh a tever .

el se ma y fa ll a wa y fr o m m a teri a l thi n g s this qu a lity ,

a t le a s t is t o pre serve a r o ck lik e fixi t y Va i n i s -

.

the c on ceptu a l decre e The di fficulty i s well s ta t e d .

by Bra dl ey Re si st a n ce c ould supply o nl y the

.

r ela ti on o f o n e thi n g t o a n other where n either thi n g , ,

1
Hen ce Ca r v eth Read s
’
r m rk
e a , In e r t i a does n ot mea n w a nt

of v i gou r , bu t t h e e x a c t c on t r ry a ; a nd ma y be met a h o i ca lly p r

d esc i r b d th i p g
e as l f e rythi g t h it
n ex u na bl r e eso v e o ev e n o av e s

o w w y ( L gi D d i
n a dI d
o i p c, e uct ve a n n uct ve, .

2 S t w rt d T it
e a an a .

3
Th ly r l t hi g i th p hy i l
e on i r
ea m tt r n s n e s ca un v e s e a re a e

an d rgy d f th m tt r i imply p i
en e ,
an o Th tr th
ese a e s S a ss v e .
”
e u ,

o f r i th t t h
c ou s e, t hi g
s d ta i t i th p hy i l
e se n s o no ex s n e s ca

o rd r t ll— ly i
e a a t h gh t b t it
on n ou r ou s a ou .
 MATTER
as wha t re si sts i s a sep a ra te b o dy either a p a rt
, ,

fro m or a g a i n i n rela ti o n t o the o th er Re si st a n c e

, ,
.

c o uld n o t c on ceiva bly tell u s wha t a n ythi n g i s i n

i tself It give s u s o n e thi n g a s qu a lified by the
.

s t a te o f a n o th e r thi n g e a ch withi n tha t kn o wn ,

rela ti on bei n g o nl y for the o ther a n d a p a rt fr o m , ,

it b ei n g u n kn o wn a n d so fa r a n o n en tity
,
1
Thi s
, ,
-
.
”

o bjecti o n i s f a t a l t o the a ttempt o th e rwi s e a b s urd , ,

t o c o n vert the a b str a cti o n re si st a n c e i n to a n

a b so lute re a l .

Re si sta n ce whe n we exp erie n c e directly thi n g s

,

i n the r o ugh i s emb o died i n o u r f eeli n g s o f pr e ssure

,

a n d mu sc ul a r te n si o n If t wo whe els on e o f p a per

.
,

a n d o n e o f s te e l a r e m o u n ted o n a xle s we a v e r th a t ,

th eir m a sse s o r qua n ti ti es of ma tter a r e di ffer en t

, ,

bec a u se t h e pre ssure s a n d mu scul a r te n si o n s e xperi

e n c e d a s we tur n them a r e diff e r e n t Th e wo rka da y .

e stim a t e o f m a ss o r qu a n tity o f m a tter a s me a s ured ,

”
by re si sta n ce gro un d s b a s a lly o n thi s sort o f
,

exp erie n ce But the m a them a tic a l c o n cept o f ma ss R i t

. e s s a n ce

c a nn ot refer u s t o s ucce ssi on s o f va guely mea sur $13, 23 2 1

, t
a ble priv a t e fe eli n g s It i s re quired for c a lc ul a ti o n
.

a n d it mu st ther e fore be preci se Th e m a th e

, , .

ma t i ci a n a cc or di n gly te n ds t o t hr u st the crude

, ,

r esi st a n ce fe eli n g s i n to the ba ckgrou n d tur ni n g t o

-
,

th e m o cc a si o n a lly whe n h e wa n t s a brea th of fa ct

a ft e r wa n deri n g s i n h i s re a lm o f s h a de s He c a n n o t .
,

e g
. . a djudge m a sse s A a n d B t o be e qu a l bec a u se i n
, ,

so m e p a ssi n g priva t e m o o d s o r c o n diti o n s I o r u

y o ,

feel them t o re si st o ur b o die s equa lly Hi s te st o f .

m a ss equa lity mu st be a va ila ble for every o n e

-
.

Thu s h e sa ys p e rh a p s with Ma xwell tha t A a n d B

, ,
“
a r e o f equ a l m a ss if equa l fo rce s a pplied to the se
1
Appea rance a nd Rea li ty, pp . 2 64—5 .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION

bo di e s pro duce i n equa l time s equ a l ch a n ges of

ve l o city 1
But n o w we a r e mile s a wa y fr o m
.
”

“ “ ”
prima ry e xp e rie n c e Force it self i s a m a th e .

ma t i c a l ficti o n we a r e
”
2
n o t a phy s ic a l exi ste n t
,

i n a c o n ceptu a l w o rld a n d tre a ti n g th e r e a rel a ti o n

i n a highl y a rtifici a l wa y H Po i n c a r é wh o o ffer s . .
,

u s a d e fi n iti o n o f m a s s whi ch h e c a ll s a c o n fe ssi o n

o f fa ilur e a s se rt s th a t m a s s es a r e c o e fii c i e n t s
”
-
,

which it i s fo un d c o n ve ni e n t t o i n tro duce i n t o

c a lc ul a ti o n s 3
Here t h e br e a k with o ur o rigi n a l
.

exp e rie n c e i s very m a rked Wh a t h a s bec o me o f .

Mill s va gue e lem en t of re si sta n ce i n the sen sible

’

wo rld a n d o f my experie n ce o f pre s s ure s a n d

t e n si o n s o n tur ni n g the t wo wheel s A c on ceptu a l
device h a s a ll but o u ste d the phe n o me n a which
Mill a n d I perceive i n the r o ugh .

Whe n I wa n t to i n tro duce i n t o c a lc ul a ti ons

1
M a tter a nd M oti on , p . 40 .

Cf . B rtre a nd Ru ssell , P ri nci p les of M a thema tics , pp . 4 74 , 4 8 2 .

Cf . a lso Somofi c i t ed by J . B . S t all o , Con cep ts a nd Theori es o

f
M odern p 167 A m t ri l p i t i m d by th
P hysi cs , . . a e a o n s ov e e

pr esen ce o f m t t r wi t h t i t Thi
a ti e f tr m tt r
ou . s ac on o ex a n e ou s a e

tt ri b t d t whi h i m d f r F r i k w
”
i
s a u e o a c a u se c s na e o ce . o ce s no n

an d m r d ly i th m m t whi h i t w i t d t
easu e on n e ov e en s c as n v en e o

a cc oun t f L gr g d fi
or . F r a h whi h m
an e e n es o ce a s t at c ov e s or

t d t m
en s o b dy M h l b l F r
ov e a o y i r . m
”
t ac a e s o ce an c cu s a n ce

o f whi h t h c q i m ti
e c on se h r j t f
u e n ce r s o on e e ec s, o c ou se, a

so m thi g
e pp d t li l t t i t r l pr
n su os e o
“
H g l e a en n na u a o c esses .
”
e e

h m t lli g b r ti
a s so e e n th p l ti f p h m
o se v a on s on e ex ana on o a en o en o n

fr m F r ( W ll
o a o ce L gi f Hg l p a All t h t i
a ce s
’
o c o e e , . a s

s p ifi d
ec e t i d i F r
a s c on a n e i th m wh t i p i fi d n o ce s e sa e as a s s ec e

i th E rt i
n e ! f
xe i t ! d t h onp l t i o f p h m, an e ex ana on o a en o e n on

f r m F r i t t h t t t m r t t l gy F r w m y
o a o ce s o a e x en a e e au o o .
”
o ce , e a

l d
c on c u pr d t f th m
e, as o d th
uc l r ti
o e a ss an e a cce e a on ,
”

t h r f i t d fi i ti d th m t m t h m ti l i j t ”
a no e o s e n on s a n e os a e a ca , s us

a co n ce pt l t l d i ua oo or ev ce .
3
S i d Hyp h i
c ence a n p 103 E g t ot es s , .
, n . ra n s.
 THE WORLD AS IM AG INATION

m a ss . Ma ss refers us to a certa i n beh a vi our

o f b odi e s i n the reg a rd o f o n e a n o ther ; a n a ctiv e

pro perty the e xpl a n a ti o n o f which wi ll be fo un d

, ,

i n the l a s t re sort t o c a rry u s beyo n d mech a nic s

,

i n to p sychic s .

Th e s nse
ible d a t a i n thi s c on ceivi n g a r e m ovi n g
thi n g s i n the setti n g o f re si sta n ce feeli n g s i n whi ch -

so me o f them a ppe a r An d th e se thi n g s a s i n deed

.
,

the wh ole physic a l order we kn o w o nl y fro m the ,

out side .Wha t n ow of the beha v i our of these movi n g

thi gs
n — l
to wh a t u tim tely re l f a cto r s i s it due
a a ?

Th a t we ma y a ffirm with certitude will n ever be

, ,

expla i n ed i n a mech a ni c a l wa y It will be u n der .

s t o o d whe n we a ll o w th a t the phy sic a l o rder m a sk s

a n i n d e fi n ite n umber o f mi n o r s e n tie n t s or p sychic a l

live s o n wh ose r el a ti o ns the surfa ce phen omen a o f

,
-

thi s o rder dep e n d Th e riddl e o f the se rel a ti o n s i s n o t

.

t o be so lved merely fro m the o ut side But it wo uld .

be solved by a n y o n e a ble t o gra sp t h e S itu a ti o n

fro m the i ns ide a s well ; by o n e wh o wa s a wa re o f
the t ele ol ogic a ctivitie s o f t h e mi n o r se n tie n t s
implied We hum a ns perceive a w ell sta ged pl a y
.
— ,

but a r e n o t a llo wed t o p en etr a te sa ve in fa n cy , ,

behi n d the scen e s He n ce a ll o ur m a ke shift

.

mech a ni c a l mo del s a n d the j a rg o n c o nn ected

therewith .

Im
pa c t .
B
( ) I MP A C T i s tio n i n di spe n sa ble for the co n
a no

o f m a sse s
c ep t u a l s ch e m e a t o mic o r o ther exter
, ,

n a lly r ela ted i n sp a ce In the cruder ver si o n s o f

.

the sche m e imp a ct i s the o nly me a ns o f tr a n s

ferri n g the m o veme n t s whose su m i s sa id t o
be c o n sta n t a n d wh os e redi stributi o n a m on g the
m a sse s i s c a u sa ti on There a re n o pulls o nly
.
,
 I M PACT
pushe s Eve n Newton ( wh o wa s a m a them a tici a n
.
,

n o t a met a physici a n ) wa s l o th t o a ll o w th a t h i s h a rd ,

m a ssy a n d impe n etra ble a to m s or m a ss p a rticle s

,
-

a c t a t a di st a n ce a s the la w o f gr a vity s ta ted a s a ,

f ea tu r e of a m e cha n i ca lly con cei v ed w or ld s ugge s t s ,

.

He woul d ha ve bee n gl a d t o reg a rd gra vity a s a

deriva tive effect due to pre ssur e or imp a ct .

Imp a ct i s vit a l i n fa ct t o a creed which firs t

, ,

i so l a te s m a sse s a n d the n require s a n y give n m a ss t o

be det ermi n ed by m a sse s extra n eous to i tself Bu t .

thi s e n tire mech a ni stic scheme with i t s exter n a l

rel a ti o n s i s o n ly a n im a gi n a l cre a ti on o f cert a i n
me n . The a ctua l wor ld i s ,
n ot a collecti on or a ygr e

ga te o f mer e di s cr etes ,
bu t a p y
s ch i ca l con ti n u u m .

An d a thi n g i n a p sychic a l c on ti n uum n eed ha ve

n o sh a rply defi n ed fr o n tier s If it s eems t o work Wh y . ll s o ca ed
t
thi s i s bec a u se it i s re a lly pre s e n t di t zég
” r a
a t a di st a n ce , s an
“ u
where it work s Thu s the Su n i s i n the gra ss a n d
.
c rs

my bra i n a s well a s i n the pla ce which i n tere sts the

a str o n o mer In t h e c o mplex of p sychic a l a ppe a r
.

a n c es whi ch i s c a lled my experie n c e the r e i s n o

a brupt di vi si o n o f a n n ppe r c fr m the
y o e a a a n e o

r est there i s c ompe n e tra ti o n i n c ommi n gli n g re a lity .

There i s a like th ough fa r le ss i n tim a te c o m p e n e

, ,

t ra t i o n a m on g the thi n g s which we de tect i n

the c on ti n uum o f Na ture The ra di c a lly i sola ted .

exi ste n ts of the mech a n i st s a r e n ot t o be fo u n d .

Imp a ct c on ceived a s a n even t i n which a n e n tity Imp t i

m
ac s a

“
m oti on i s tra n sferred from o n e ha rd m a ss y 2331: g ,
b
,

exte i o n to a n other which i s p a ssive till the tra n s i g?“

n s ,
a ra

F
fere n ce i s m a de cre a te s a ma zeme n t ra ther th a n
,

s a ti s fie s th o ught It i s a cc e pted n o do ubt bec a u se

.
, ,

a a e —
f mili r ven ts o ne billi a rd ba ll hitti ng a n other
 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATIO N
seem t o i ll u stra te the tr a n sferen ce But a fter a ll .
, ,

whe n we a sk why the billi a rd b a ll which i s hit i s , ,

se t i n m o ti o n we fin d tha t fa mili a rity with the

,

s urf a ce phe n o me n on d o e s n o t pr o vide a s oluti on o f

the pr o blem whi ch it pre se n ts

Le sa
’
ge s physic a l the ory o f gra vita ti o n illu stra te s
t h e preva le n t view th a t imp a ct i s m ore i n tel ”

ligible th a n a cti on a t a di st a n ce Hi s view su p .

p ose s i n defini tely n umero u s p a rticle s o r ultr a

mu n da n e c orpu scle s which da rt i n str a ight li n e s
fro m u n k n o wn c o smic regi o n s i n a ll di recti on s so me ,

Of them hitti n g a ggreg a te s o f la rger p a rticle s the —

m a s se s tha t gra vit a te The s e m a sses screen i n g .
,

o n e a n o ther p a rti a lly fr o m the b o mb a rdme n t a re ,

pre ssed o r pu shed t ogeth e r with a force va ryi ng

i n vers ely a s the s qu a re o f the di st a n ce o wi n g t o ,

the exce ss o f blo ws rec e ived o n their un shielde d

p orti o n s It i s n o t s ta ted wh e ther su b p a rticl e s
.
-

a r e hitti n g the ultra mu n da n e c o rpu scl e s so a s

t o a cc o u n t for their peculi a r beh a vi o ur but o n the , ,

pri n cipl e th a t sm a ll fle a s h a ve sm a ller fle a s t o bite

,
u —
them s uch s b p a rt icle s might be pre sumed Whe n .

t h e t ot a l dem a n d s of physici st s for p a rticle s c or ,

f
” ”

p u s c le s electr
, o n s s pheric a l gr a
,
i n s o r the
ether a n d so forth a r e c on sidered it excite s surpri se ,

h o w a sp a c e wo rld which i s pr ob a bly fin ite c o n

-
, ,

trive s t o fin d the a cc o mm o da ti on required .

Le ’
ge s tru st i n imp a ct i s quite mi spl a ced It
sa .

i s i n truth a n i n soluble pr o blem h o w o n e m

, ,
a ss

p a rticle impi n gi n g o n a n oth e r i n a mecha ni c a l

,

world c on trive s to
,
tra ns fer i t s m o ti on But .

we n eed n ot dwell o n the problem N o o n e h a s .

—
ma stered it n o on e e ve r will No r i s it n ee df ul t o .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION

Is “
r
En e gy
” che que s a r e p o sted i n retur n for so methi n g An d ?
”8
thi n kers wh o write b ooks o n En ergy a n d even
,
“
a ttempt t o expl a i n a ll re a lity on the b a si s o f En er
getic s c on firm hi m i n the belief th a t En ergy mu st
,
”

be a n e n tity i n i t s o wn right There i s t a lk o f the .

i n fini te Energy when ce a ll thi n g s pro ceed a n d

“
thi s En ergy it i s a dded i s pr e sen t i n i n n u mer
,
”
,

a ble m o de s o r tr a n sform a ti o n s t o h i s s en sible

experien ce So fa r so g oo d But di sillusi o n me n t i s
.
,
.

c omi n g Th e sceptic sugge st s th a t En ergy seem s

.
”

elu sive th a t onl y the

,
tr a n sform a ti ons a re i n

evide n ce a n d th a t the se i n physic a l chemic a l

, , , ,

o rg a n ic a n d p sychic a l phe n o me n a a r e differ en t o n e

, ,
“ —
En ergy
”
fro m a n other It . the m a gici a n i s
a lwa y s do dgi n g u s behi n d di sgui se s i n c ol our s , ,

sou n ds he a t chemic a l c ombi n a ti on s em oti o n a l

, , ,

s tir dige s tive a n d circul a t ory o ccurre n ces a n d wh a t

, ,

n ot . Wo uld it n ot be well t o a sk world builders -

wh a t they me a n whe n they t a lk o f En ergy Per

h a p s they a r e someh o w a wa re o f it i n which c a se ,

they a r e a ble t o sa y wh a t it i s i n c o n tra st with wh a t

it i s n ot L et them i n s hort de fin e it
.
, , .

“
No w En ergy
is betra yed by thi s defini ti o n It .

is c a p a city fo r work or a g a i n a s O stwa ld put s ,

”
, ,

“ “
it En ergy i s everythi n g which c a n be pro duced
,

fro m work o r which c a n be tra n sformed i n to it .

Pre sen t i n a hyp othetic a l system shut o ff fro m the

wo rld a t l a rge it woul d be qu a n tit a tively c on sta n t
and a s thi n g s a r e
, le a ka ge o f it fr om o n e system
,

implie s a l wa ys equiva le n t g a i n t o a n other Note .

,

h owever th a t the g a i n i n the c a se of m a n y tra n s

,
“
form a ti o n s h a s t o be l a bell ed p o te n ti a l En ergy a s ,
”

“
whe n pl a n t o rg a n i sm s a re held t o s tore up En ergy ”

derived fro m the su n o r whe n men pl a ce a m on u

 EN E RGY
men t h a vi ng En ergy of p ositi o n o n a hill We
, ,
.

”
a r e a p t t o reg a rd p ote n ti a l a s a ctu a l En ergy ”
,

held so meh o w i n le a sh a n d thi s wa y lie s tro uble

,
.

No w e n tity which ca n be di scu ssed qua n ti

an

t a t i v ely i n term s o f u ni t s o f work i s o bvi o u sly of

high va lue for c a lcul a ti o n s i n o ur d ea li n g s with the
physic a l order An d eve n if there i s n o such e n tity
.

i n fa ct it will be we ll if circum st a n ce s le n d them

, ,

s elve s t o the p olicy t o i n ve n t it , It ca n be b odied .

—
forth i n mome n t s whe n it se em s t oo u n s ub sta n ti a l
—with o ur va gue feeli n g s o f ge n era l org a ni c h a ppe n
ing with s en sa ti ons n ot merely mu scul a r s uch a s
, ,

a cc o mp a n y o ur a ctive life But o therwi se it will

.

h a ve n o fi xed qua li ty a nd j u st beca use i t i s our ,

con cep tua l crea ti on , i t wi ll n ever be detected i n the

p u r e p er cep tua l p hen omen on i ts elf ho wever . Thu s ,
p a tie n tly I l a bel the phe n o me n a of Na ture m a n i
fe st a t i o n s o f En ergy I a m n ever i n a p ositi o n t o
,

S h o w s ceptic s wher e i n a ll the se pr o te a n m a n ife s ta

,

ti o ns En ergy i s a ctua lly o b served An d i n de fin

, .

i n g En ergy I ta ke refuge i n such term s a s betra y

u n mi sta ka bly the c on ceptua l origi n o f thi s exceed
i n gly i n tere sti n g a n d e ff ective i n strume n t o f thought .

En ergy ,
hort i s a n im a gi n a l cre a ti on
in s ,

which is justified by i t s pra ctic a l succe ss .

1
Popula r writer s o b serve s Ja me s
, o fte n J m , a es on th e

a ppe a r t o thi n k th a t s cie n ce h a s dem o n str a ted

a mo n i stic pri n cipl e c a lle d e n ergy which they ,
’

c o n n ect with a ctivity o n the o n e ha n d a n d with

qua n tity on the o ther So fa r a s I u n dersta n d thi s
.

difficult subject e n ergy i s n ot a pri n ciple a t a ll

, ,

1
S ome P roblems o f P hilosophy , note, p . 2 06 .
 THE WORL D AS IM A IN ATION G
s till le ss a n a ctive o n e It i s o n ly a c o llective n a me
.

for cert a i n a m o u n t s of perceptua l r e a lity whe n such

re a lity i s me a sured i n de finite wa ys th a t a llo w it s
ch a n ge s t o be writte n so a s t o ge t c o n s ta n t sum s It .

i s n ot a n o n t o l o gic a l the o ry a t a ll but a ma gn ifi cen t ,

econ omi c schema ti c dev i ce for keep i n g a ccou n t of the

l i i on s of the su rfa ce p henomen a

f u n cti ona va r a t .

En e rgy is a ple a sa n t c on c e pt t o work with if you ,

wa n t t o be free fro m the di fficultie s o f the cla ssic a l

mecha ni c s t o forwa rd c a lcul a ti o n s a dmi ra bly a n d
, , ,

a l so
, t o a vo id a dmitti n g if yo u a r e i n ter e sted i n
,

phil oso phy a s well a s pra ctic e tha t the Un iver se i s ,

a p s yc h ic a l r e a lity True th a t i n m o de s of n o n
.

“
ki n etic En ergy s uch a s the En ergy o f p o siti o n
,
”

o f a m o u n t a i n t a r n o r o f a m o n ume n t s et o n a h ill
-

t h e equ i va len t o f the tra n sfo rmed ki n etic En ergy

s eem s fa r t o s ee k . Po ten ti a l like virt u a l , ,

m a rk s a de s criptive de vic e a n d c a n n o t de n ote r e a l

,
“
ity which h a s simply go n e t o gro un d Po te n ti a l .

En ergy a s Mill wa s quick t o se e i s n o t a n exi sti n g

”
, ,

fa ct but a n a me for o ur c o n victi on th a t i n a ppr o

,

p r i a t e circum s t a n ce s a f a ct wou ld t a ke pl a c e — a

very di ffere n t m a tter But thi s elu sive n e ss o f

.

“
En ergy i n i t s p o te n ti a l do m a i n do e s n ot di sturb
the pra ctic a l wo rker En e rgy i s equ a lly elu sive
.
,

a s we h a ve s ee n even i n th o s e ki n etic phe n o me n a

,

which a r e sen sibly perc eive d .

Th e m o ni stic view o f En ergy h a s t o recko n with

qua lita tively differe n t ph en o me n a i n b oth the se
ki n etic a n d n o n ki n etic fi elds
-
Where then i s thi s .
, ,

on e a ctive pri n ciple which a lw a y s e s c a p es o ur

g a ze Usele ss eve n to seek t o fin d it It c a n n ot .

,

a s we sa w be defi n ed i n s uch a wa y a s t o guide th o se

,
 THE WORLD AS IMAG IN ATION

thi n g It seem s a lmost cruel t o pre ss o ur a dv a n

t a ge But the se m on strou s re s ult s a re i n evita ble
.

if yo u f orget th a t En ergy i s a worki n g c o n c ept

i n ve n ted for pr a ctice a n d tre a t it a s a n ultim a te
s tu ff o f which the wo rld i s built .

Th e cul t of En ergy do es n ot o f c o ur s e serve , ,

to e xpl a i n why th i s p a rticul a r m o de o f En ergy i s

”

tra n sformed i n t o tha t It eva de s the b a sic riddl e

.

o f tr a n sf o rm a ti o n w hi ch c o n cer n s qu a lity It urge s.

”
th a t a l on g with the ch a n ge s o f the somethi n g
, ,

qua n tita tive u ni formitie s a r e t o be n oted a s i n the ,

c a s e o f Joul e s la w a g en era li sa ti on well wo rt h

’

keepi n g i n mi n d duri n g t a n gled di scu ssi on s o f thi s

s ort . An d the p ostu la te ( n ot a xi o m ) o f the c o n
”
s erva ti o n o f En ergy bid s u s expect t o fin d such
u ni formitie s i n the c a ses o f m o st tr a n sfo rm a ti o n s o f
which we a re likely t o t a ke a cc o u n t It mus t n ot .

be pre ssed t o o fa r e g when we c ome t o c on sider

,
. .

wh a t h a ppens i n the bra i n when c o n s ci o u s pro ce sses

i n fluen c e b o dy In fin e it mu st be u sed n ot a bu sed
.
, , ,

a n d s u spected with o ut he sit a ti o n whe n ever e x er i

p
e n ce seem s h ostile A rigid la w t o t h e effect th a t
.

“ “
the su m o f ki n etic a nd p o te n ti a l En ergy ”

“
( o r E n ergie s i s s trictly c o n s t a n t i s n o t requir e d .

There wo ul d be n o me a n s o f verifyi n g it An d .
,

a s we h a ve s ee n the En ergy co n templa ted by

,

the la w i s n ot a re a lity o utside o ur c on ceptua l

thi nki n g .

Th e Th e En ergy t a lk re semble s a mi st which h a n g s

c on se r v a t i on
“ o ver a n u n see n t o w n a n d repre s e n t s i n so me f a shi o n
of En e r gy
r eco n si de re d
it s o utli n e Th e mi st is n o t the t o wn it self
. on th e
i n t h e lig h t of
meta ph y sic s .
o ther h a n d it exi sts i n i t s speci a l sha pe o nl y be
,

c a u se the town i s a re a lity u n dern ea th We c a n .

 EN ER GY
even di scuss certa i n broa d fea tures o f the to wn
by feig ni ng tha t it i s pre se n t t o o ur percepti o n
a s the mi st .

No w En ergetic s is i n tere sted prim a rily i n th e

mi s t meta physic s in the t o wn u n dern e a th .

Th e to wn i s the p sychic a l c on ti n uum o f re a lity

a s upheld i n the C I Th e tr a n sfo rm a ti o n s here
. .

a r e qu a lit a tive : qua n tity i s so much of qu a lity .

There a re more or less r egula r or sta ble equ i va len ci es

betwee n fe a tures of c on te n ts tha t go a n d fe a tur e s
tha t c o me : the di sa ppe a ri n g c on te n t s i n a ch a nge
a r e b a l a n c e d by n ewly a ppe a ri n g c on te n t s i n a n

o rder e d m a n n er Th i s a nd n ot the con s er va ti on of

.
,

a fi cti ti ou s
“ “
s um of Energy qua n ti ti es i s wha t
”
-
,

obta i n s i n the Cos mi c Ima gi n i n g An d t h e c on te n ts .

thu s a ppea ri n g a n d di sa pp ea ri n g a r e n ot merely

on e ,
”
but a l so i n defin itely ma n y Wh a t they .

a r e a n d h o w they st a n d t o o n e a n other i n the det a il

o nl y a s uperhum a n p o wer a ble t o a wa re Na ture ,

fro m the o utside a n d the i n side a like c oul d kn o w , .

An d if l a ter we s ubmit so me ge n era l a cc o u n t o f t h e

situ a ti on we s h a ll do so with a s e n se o f bei n g u n a bl e
,

t o sa y n e a rly e n o ugh .

The ultima te pri n ciple o f m oveme n t i s wha t

we ha ve termed n ot En ergy
,
but ima gi n a l ,

a ctivity Thi s a t le a st i s n o s urd fo r we h a ve a n

.
, , ,

imm edi a te exp erie n c e o f it a n d a l so o f i ts cre a tive , ,

p ossibilitie s in o ur selve s At b o tto m a ll a ctivity i s

.
,

c o n sci o us ima gi ni n g whether o f sta tic o r cha n geful

,

c on te n t Note th a t a n y c on ten t ch a n ge due t o s y mb li m

.
-
o s
f
thi s a ctivity impli e s wha t i s symb oli sed for u s i n the i éféfg y i
i
r s’ ’

1
c o n serva ti o n fea tur e of the doctri n e of En ergy 3 1s} f
.
”

3
‘ ‘8 °
 THE WORLD A S IM A GIN ATION
In a p sychic a l c on ti n uum a n y c on te n t ch a n ge -

pr e se n t a t A i s a l so pre se n t a t B a n d C a n yt hi n g
i s where it wo rk s a n d i n a p sychic a l c o n ti n uum it
,

n e ver w o rks a t a n i so l a ted p o i n t It c a nn ot c o m e .

a n d it c a nn o t go with o ut i n vo lvi n g i n i t s f a te c orre

“
l a ted c o mi n g s a n d g oi n g s No En ergy urge s
”
.
,

t h e symb o li sm i s l o st but simply

,
t a ke s o n a n e w
,
”
form . Th e c o rrela ted phe n o men a expre ss the
f a ct tha t thi ng s i n imp orta n t re spect s a re fu n cti on s
, ,

o f o n e a n o ther a n d bel o n g t o a p s ychic a l c o n ti n uum .

On the o ther h a n d tho ugh c o n s erva ti on o f En ergy

”
, ,

thus i n terpreted sta n d s critici sm we c a n n o t supp ose

, ,

“
th a t re a lity i s s uch th a t a ddi ti ons o f En ergy a r e ”

n eve r p ossible An ythi n g o f this ki n d i s p ossible i n

.

a Un iver s e o f w hi ch the f o un d a ti o n s a r e im a gi n i n g .

An d a n a cc o u n t of the o rigi n of the time pr o ce ss -

,

i n o ur c or n er o f re a lity c a nn o t reg a rd the s ymb o li sm

,
“
En e rgy c on serva ti o n a s sa cro sa n ct But
”
o f mere -
.

t o c o n ti n ue thi s di scu ssi o n pr o fit a bly wo ul d be to

a ttempt a n a cc o u n t o f the begi n ni n g s
1
.

En ergy vi e wed a s the stu ff o f whi ch thi n g s a r e

,

m a de n o l on ger i n tere st s u s But the symb oli sm

,
.

of En ergy wi ll t a sk us yet a g a i n a n d a g a i n .

D
( ) THE ET H R
ether o f ma t h ema t i co
E . Th e
mecha ni c a l hyp o the si s i s a n im a gi n a l cre a ti on It .

wa s i n ve n ted i n fa ct i n Po i n c a r é s words t o a vo id
’

, , ,

the bre a kdo wn o f the la ws of ge n era l mecha ni c s Th e .

o ld ki n etic s cheme wa s cre a ki n g b a dl y a n d u n a ble t o

Wh y i nv en ted .
wo rk in cert a i n directi o n s a t a ll To cite the te sti .

m on y o f a n other ma n o f scie n ce Prof Ma cdo ug a ll , .

,

A gre a t m a n y o f the phy sic a l phe n o me n a a b o ut

1
Cf Pa t
. r HI Cha . p IV. .
,
“
Th e C r ea ti v e A pp
ulse .
 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

c o vered a dds i t s quot a to the irrec on cila ble a n d con

fli c t i n g pro pertie s o f the ether a n d the a tom a n d ,

the se i n vi sible li nks of the u ni versa l m a chi n e gro w

m o re a n d m ore bewilderi n g a n d c o mplic a ted u n til the
who le c on structi o n fa lls i n piece s Nor i s thi s a ll .

t h e s cie n ti st f o rget s he i s buil di n g t o y h o u se s a n d ,

e n d s by believi n g i n their re a lity Eve n if hyp o .

the si s do e s n o t c a rry hi m so fa r it cert a i nl y h a s ,

thi s effect o n o ther s wh o a ccept the dogm a s of s cien ce

witho ut di scrimi n a tio n Th e ether i n sh o rt i s
.
”
, ,

( )
1 a n im a gi n a l cre a ti o n ( )
2 a cre a ti o n i n a dequ a te,

t o the f a ct s a n d ( 3 ) mi su n der st oo d by some o f i t s

,

i n ve n tors who a re meta physici a n s un a wa re of their

pro cedure .

Ari stotle s ether wa s a celesti a l m a tter per

’
,

m a n e n t a n d fa vo ured by circul a r motio n s a n d thi s ,

a g a i n s eem s t o h a ve h a d i t s a n ce stry i n the myt hi c a l

upper a ir o f folklore Th e ether of t o da y i s simi .

-

la r ly our old fr i end M a tter r ei ma gi n ed so a s to s upport

a n ew mecha n i cs or s ub mecha n i cs a s it h a s a ctu a lly-
,

been termed It s m a i n bu si n e ss origi n a lly wa s t o

u n dul a te for the pur po se s o f a light the ory -
,

while o cc a si on a lly it wa s su spected it slo wed do wn

, ,

the vel o city of a c o met thu s s ho wi n g th a t re si st

a n ce t o m o veme n t a cce n ted i n the c o n cept of
o r di n a ry Ma tter But for m a n y yea rs it h a s
1
.

been exp a n di n g t o wa rds world do mi ni on O r di n a ry -

.

m a tter h a s been expl a i n ed a s c on de n sed ether More .

rece n t view s reduce it to pecul i a r h a ppe ni n g s a t

cert a i n p oi n t s o f thi s ether vortex m oti o n s , ,
”

1
But i n a n y ca se, if th e other ca n be thr o w
n i nto wa ves th a t
are pr po a ga ted fr o m a p oi n t of di stu rb a n ce , i t h a s p arts whi ch
r esi st on e a nother, wh th r e e it r esi sts the moti on of o din a y r r
phy i s ca l thi n gs or n ot .
 THE E ECT IC T L R H EORY OF MATTE R 32 3

( C
In deriva Eth
9?
torsio n s str a i n s
,
a n d so f orth . er -th eori e s

ti on s of thi s order Ma tter i s ma de t o pre exi st to it s -

a lleged birth si n ce the vortex m oti o n s

, etc a re , .
,
1°

o bvi o u sly ide a s b o rr o wed fr o m fe a ture s with which

o rdi n a ry mech a n ic a l c o n cepti o n s de a l A cert a i n .

p o verty of i n ve n ti on i s reve a led Thi s b orr owi n g .

fro m t h e beh a vi our a s cribed t o o rdi n a ry Ma tter i s

a mu si n gly illu s tr a ted by o n e the o ry o f the c o n s ti

t u t i o n o f the e ther which h a s s tirred th o ught I .

refer t o the view th a t the ether c on si sts o f clo sely

s e t spheric a l gra i n s o f m o re or le ss ch a n gele ss
sh a pe a n d size s ubjected t o a n e n orm o us pre s sure
, ,

a n d th a t it c on ta i n s o rdi n a ry Ma tter a s i t s regi o n s

o f dimi ni s hed m a ss In thi s c a se the m o del i s

.

o btru sively mech a ni c a l It ma y n ot h a ve been

.

i n ten ded a s a gift t o meta physics But i n thi s .

c a se hea ve n a l on e kn o ws why it wa s put together

a t a ll .

It i s o bvi o u s tha t spheric a l gra i n s which o ccupy ,

sp a ce a n d re si st o ther gra i n s th a t pre ss up o n them

i n the c osmic cru sh a re replic a s o f the re si sti n g

”
,

extensi on s i n which the old world mech a ni sts put -

their trust .

Th e c a lled electric theory of Ma tter i s merely Th

so -
e e l ec t r i c

a form of the se extra or di n a ry hyp o the s es which

seek t o e xpl a i n a wo rld o f s upp o sed mech a nic s

by su b m e cha ni c s
-
We rec a ll h o w Me n deleef s ,
’

peri o dic la w pro mpti n g a n d the old m a ssy con

ti n uo u s a to m bei n g a lre a dy o vert a xed the dividi n g ,

o f the tr a di ti o n a lly i n di vi sible a t o m beg a n La ter .

,

the Ele ctron h a vi n g o nl y a fra cti on a l p a rt o f the

,

ma ss o f the time h on o ured hydro ge n a to m wa s

-
,

—
i nve n ted to a cc oun t it wa s poi n ted out for a
, ,
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

b a tch of very i n tere sti n g a n d n o vel phe n omen a .

Th e a t o m is a s ys tem o f electro ns wa s the c ry ,

th o ugh so me o f the m ore wa ry i nn ova tors e n j oi n ed

c a uti o n 1
An d wh a t i s the Electr on
.

Cle a rly if the Electro n i s

o n ly a ti n y m a ss p a rticle -
,

like the a to m i n which D emo critus D a lto n a n d , ,

Newto n believed a n a b stra ct resi sti n g exten si on

— -

— mech a ni c a l hyp o the s i s h o ld s i t s gro u n d We do .

n o t e sc a pe fr o m M a tter by s upp o si n g th a t i t s bit s

a r e s m a ller tha n wa s tho ught befo re An d the .

Electr o n ( whi ch might be like n ed to the gh o st o f a

defun ct billi a rd b a ll whi ch h a s left its sec on da ry
qua lities colour etc be hi n d it i n the gra ve ) is o nl y
, , .
,

2
a very ti n y m a s s p a rticle m o vi n g i n s p a ce But
-
.

wh a t if thi s Electron i s n ot a det a ched m a ss p a rticle -

exi sti n g i n its o wn right but a mo bile stra i n ,

or s ome o ther lo c a l si n gul a rity i n the ether

We sha ll ha ve e sc a ped fro m the gho st o f the billi a rd
b a ll it i s true but wha t a re we g oi n g to re a ch i
, ,

i t s ste a d ? Well La rm o r a ssert s b oldly th a t the

,
“
Electro n mu s t be i n wh ole o r i n p a rt a n ucleu s of
i n tri n sic stra i n i n the a ether a pl a ce a t whi ch the ,

c o n ti n ui ty o f the me di um h a s bee n broke n a n d

ceme n ted to ge ther a g a i n ( to u se a crude but e ffec
tive im a ge ) with o ut a ccur a tely fitti n g the p a rt s ,

so th a t there i s a residu a l s tr a i n a ll r o u n d the pl a ce

”
.

Th e ultim a te eleme n t o f Ma tter i s a n electric ch a rge

1
E g Sir O
. . . Lodgek w t h t th
, Electrons , p . 13 5 : Wh o no s a e

t m i wh ll y mp d f l tr
‘
a o s o 3 co ose o e ec on s
2
If l tr i d pi t d
a n e ec p k h dr dth f
on s e c e as a s ec on e- un e o an

i h i
nc di m t r li k
n f th f ll t p
a e e , t hi p g ef one o e u s o s on s a e, or

i t th
n s a n ce , p il bl f th f w h
e s dr d
a ce a v ath d a e or e e un e or ou sa n

of h
s uc ti t t d t t di p rt t h m l
cons ueni id t m i
o s o s o e se v es ns e an a o s

co mp r bl t a a h dr d f t
e b —Si O L dg El
o a un e - ee cu e. r . o e, ectr ons,
 THE WORLD AS IM AG INATION
1
1 118 e rr roWh a t ho wever o f the un que sti on ed empiric a l
of , ,
t 11
p g
h g j fi d a ta D o n o t the s e le a d o n e t o mf er u n per c e1v e d
phy i i t i t
a pp em n gs
th i f r i g
h w h i ch symboli sed In s t a teme n t s
s c s s no
a re
e n e r n
ofu p i d a b o ut
n er ce v e Electro n s a n d so f o rth ? Thi s que sti on
h pp m g
a e n s,
b t i i g r a 1se s a further a n d a very 1mp o rt a n t p h 1losop h 1ca l
th ese
u con c e v n
as
i ssue Evide n ce o f the ch a ra cter cited c a n n o t
.

p ossibly be o verl oo ked Th e fu n da men t a l error o f .

the n ew meta physici a n s of s cie n ce i s n ot th a t they

i nf er u n perceived re a li tie s but th a t they con cei ve ,

the se re a litie s a s a spect s o f a mech a n i sm There i s .

A g l d n rul a g olde n rule a pplic a bl e t o a ll s uch excur si o n s

o e e.

beyon d the limit s o f o ur exi s ti n g perceptu a l p o wer s .

I n c o mpletely perceived phen o me n a o r a ppe a ra n ce s

mu st be s upplemen ted on the li n e s which a ppe a r
a n oe s dict a te An i nferred u n p resen ted regi on ! of
.

N a ture! mu st be con cei ved a s n ot ess en ti a lly differen t

f r om the con ten ts of o u r s en ti en t life
1
.
”

We do n ot requi re i nf ere n ce to imperceptible s

which by defini ti o n c o ul d n ever form the c o n ten t
, ,

o f a n y c o n s ci o u s experie n ce di vi n e o r hum a n We ,
.

wa n t imperceptible s which a r e merely cut o ff

fro m u s by the exi sti n g limita ti on s o f our p o wer s ,

bei n g o f s uch a ch a ra cter th a t they m a y well be

pre se n t to superh um a n im a gi n a l experien ce o r ,

eve n i n l a ter st a ge s of o ur c a reer s t o o u r o wn

, ,

exp a n ded percepti on s .

In the hi story o f s cie n ce there i s much m a de o f the

a ppe a l t o experie n ce Let thi nkers show tha t they
.

a r e i n e a r n e st with thi s a ppe a l Let u s get rid o f the .

fa l se imperceptible s Exi ste n ce whi ch c a n n o t - -

a ppe a r i n a n y experie n ce
- - -
i s the verie st ficti on .

Verific a tio n o f its a lleged rea lity i s impossi ble .

1
Cf Indi vi dua l
. a nd Rea li ty, p 108. .
 THE C I . . AN D THIN GS
Th e right sort s of imperceptibles a re merely
t hi n g s whi ch we c a nn ot a t presen t perceive like ,

the fur ther side of the m o on the b a cilli i n Ce n tra l ,

Af ric a or the i n tim a te rel a ti on s of th os e mi n o r

,

p sychic a l exi ste n ts whi ch a r e a t o n ce revea led a n d

c on cea led by the physic a l order Re specti n g the s e .

l a tter we ha ve sh o wn el sewhere at le n gth h o w the

,

i nf ere n ce s r u n 1
Tho se wh o de sire to pro be the
.

—
mysteries o f N a ture n o t o f the mere c on ceptua l
i ve ti on Ma tter
n n —will ha ve t o bus y them selve s
c o n sidera bly with the story o f the se s ub ordi n a te
p syc hi c a l exi ste n ts o r mi n or sen tie n ts To thi s .
”

qua rter for i n st a n ce belon g the ha ppe ni n g s a t

, ,

pres e n t symb o li sed i n the a n tic s o f im a gi n a ry

Electron s An d here a lso t a ke pl a ce o ccur
”
.
, ,

r e n c e s w hi ch mu st bulk he a vily i n a n y l a ter a cc o u n t

wh ich we ma y be a ble t o give o f how Homo sa p i en s

i n flue n ce s a n d i s i n flue n ced by his b o dy An d
, , .

s o on .

11 . THE CI . . AN D T HIN G S

4 . Th e Thi n g s
cre a tive evoluti on wh a t of ,

e ver el se the y a r e a n d do a r e n ot timele ss but , ,

l a st a whi le They a r e effort s to wa rd s ta bility

.

a mid the fl u x a r e a ttempt s o f re a lity t o cryst a lli s e

a n d h a rd e n a s it were i n t o fixi t i n the very he rt

, y , a

o f ch a n ge Th e l a ws o f n a tura l c a u sa ti o n a r e rel a
.

t i v e ly sta ble h a bit s o f r e la tively st a ble rel a ted

Thi n g s o f thi s so rt But si n ce crea ti on c on cur s
. Th i n g s .

“
with co ns er va ti on i n the time proce ss the Thi n g -
, ,
”

eve n whe n ge n ui n ely re a l i n the C I a n d n ot a mere . .

i n ve n tio n prompted by c o n ve nie n ce o f o ur m a ki n g

, , ,

1
Indi vidua l a nd Rea li ty, p 100 11 . .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
a im s a t a sta bility which it c a n n o t m a i n ta i n In .

a lteri n g a mid the s wirl o f ch a n ge it m a y peri sh a n d , ,

if it s ucceed s i n e n dur i n g it will do so o nl y a t the ,

price o f bei n g tra ns formed .

Thi n g s ti ssue with the qua litie s

a re o f on e

whi ch we a s sig n t o them Thu s a pl a n et i s a rea l .

Thi n g i n the n a tur a l o rde r which exi st s i n the

Cosmic Im a gi ni n g An d tho ugh it c o mpri se s much
.
,

mo re we a lth th a n we hum a n s ca n perceive a n d

i sola te a b stra ctly a s i t s qua litie s it i s still o f ,
”

a p l ece with i t s very p a rti a l a spect s which do f a ll

withi n o ur kn o wledge It i s n o o cc ul t s ub sta n ce

.

s upp o rti n g s ep a r a te qua litie s a ll o f which a re ,

”

a rtifici a l cre a ti o n s of a n a lys i s ; it i s a n ide a o r

i ma gi na l comp lex withi n a world order which c on t a i n s -

i n defini tely m o re we a lth of the like im a gi n a l ch a r

a cter . Of thi s wea lth a ll we finite sen tien ts pa rta ke
a cc o rdi n g t o o u r gr a des .

N o w i n quiry s h o ws th a t the qua lities o f Thi n g s

a r e n ot merely priva te p osse ssi o n s o f the Thi n g s .

Thu s s ug a r h a s i t s qua litie s i n grea t p a rt bec a u se

it exi s ts i n a so la r system with c on ten ts which
beh a ve ju st a s they do Were the s un s hea t in .
’

cre a sed much o r were the ch a ra cter o f the e a rth

,

ra dic a lly a ltered sug a r wo uld a lter to o Thi s is

, .

wh a t i s me a n t by the sa yi n g tha t Thi n g s with

their qua liti e s o r pr opertie s a re fu n cti o n s o f o ther
a n d by the further
”
Thi n g s , s a yi n g tha t a n y
”
give n Thi n g which c o mm o n sen se t a ke s over
,
-

a s s elf s uffi c i e n t a n d a s exi sti n g i n i t s o wn right

-
,

i s i n truth s elf tr a n s ce n de n t -
To u n der sta n d .

the Thi n g we a re compelled t o go very fa r

,

beyo n d the sphere i n which a t fir st it seems , ,

 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

e n duri n g u ni ty thru st on the phe n o men a by us or i s

it pre se n t i n the phe n ome n a them selve s Co n sider
type s o f a lleged i n s en tie n t Thi n g s kni fe -
,

di a m o n d cl o ud sa n d hea p the Ma tterhorn a

, ,
-
, ,

m o to r ca r a fi eld the Ea rth etc a n d m a ke clea r

-
, , ,
.
,

t o y o ur self wh a t you h a ve i n view i n e a ch c a se .

Co n sider a g a i n tha t type of the s en tie n t Thi n g

, ,

Th e which i s c a lled S elf ; the Thi n g tha t cl a im s a

“
f
S el -Th i n g .

fixi t y de spite t h e s wirl of i t s ever — ch a n gi n g m o de s .

Y o u h a ve here a striki n g c a se of the effort t o wa rd

s t a bility o f which we sp o ke ju s t n o w ; a n e ffort

which i n cre a tive evoluti on i s foredoomed to cor

, ,

r o si c n by ch a n ge Th e S elf Thi n g whi ch cla ims

.
-
,
”

o r strive s t o e n dure di scl o se s pr o ce s s a n d i n st a bility

,

i n f a ct . An d we kn o w further th a t thi s or th a t , ,

S elf Thi n g a llied with a given body ca n be

-
, ,

dethron ed nay tha t a ltern a ti n g a n d eve n co

,

c o ns ci o u s S elf Thi n g s c a n s how i n c on n ection

-

with t hi s on e b o dy a n d th a t the p o siti o n o f the

,

S elf Thi n g i s therefore very fa r from bei n g a

-
, ,

s t a ble o n e .

We a r e n ot yet re a dy to de a l f ully with the

pro blem o f the p a rticul a r self but we a r e sure ,
”

o f thi s Th e un i ty o f a
. S elf Thi n g wha tever -
,
”

el se it implie s i s th a t o f a n end seeki ng tele ol ogic a l

,
-
, ,

o r purp o sive who le who se re a li sa ti on i s expre ssed

,

i n the di recti o n of i t s life a n d wh os e u n ity i s the ,

m ore pr o n o u n ced the m o re c ohere n t a n d ordered

a r e i t s purp o s e s He i s ha r dl y a per son
.
— we
sa y o f a m a n with o ut ge n ui n e i ni ti a tive a n d c o her e n t

purp o sive a cti vi ty A S elf pre suppose s the

.

deeper u n derlyi n g c on ti n uity of the Un ivers e but ,

emph a tic a lly a l so thi s teleologic a l structur e o f

ordered i n terests A cen tre of c on scious life does
.
 THE C I
'

. . AN D THIN GS
n ot n ece ssa rily c ompri se a S elf a n d o n the o ther , ,

ha n d a s we n o w kn o w ma y be the the a tre o f severa l

, ,

a lter n a ti n g or c o c o n sci o u s o pp osed

-
Selves .
”

No w thi s tele ologic a l structure o f the S elf h a s

bee n m a de by so me t o e xpl a i n the u ni ty of the
i n se n tie n t Thi n g a s p ercei ved An d thu s . .

Ta ke the u ni ty o f a b o dy e g a pill a r or t a bl e T l l gi l
,
. . . e eo o ca

We pr o ject i n i ma gi na ti on i n to gfilfiggi
f e ‘
Ta ylo r s wo rd s a r e
’
, ”
i d
the se n sibly c on ti n uou s i n a ni m a te m a ss the sa me P erc e v e

ki n d o f teleol ogic a l un ity which we fin d i n our o wn

me n ta l life Th e b o dy i s f elt n o w a s if it wa s
1 ”
.
,

a cti n g i n the re g a rd o f s o me i n tere s t o f o ur s a s a

, ,

uni ty c o n ce n tr a ted t o a p oi n t like o ur s elve s Co n .

“ ”
s ider a g a i n my m o to r c a r
, ,
Thi s i s -
on e . i n so fa r ,

a s I ca n l oo k up o n the eve n t s o f i t s c a reer a s i

f they ,

a r e eve n t s i n the life o f a purp o sive bei n g i n my

Th e c a r s
’ ”
s ervice . qua liti es of c o ur se c on s i st
, ,

n o t merely o f st a n di n g f a ct s but o f wh a t will , p ro

b a bly ha ppen un der c on di ti on s tha t ma y a ri se .

I n deed the u n ity im a gi n ed by me i s a u ni ty o f

,

a ctu a l and p ossible qua lities a n d o f i t s p a st ,

cha ra cteri stic s a s well .

“
To c on ti n ue : If we c a n thi n k of the thi n g s ’

qua litie s a n d the la w of their c on n ecti on a s sta n di n g

to o n e a n o ther i n the sa me wa y a s the d e t a iled serie s
o f a ct s e mb o dyi n g a s ubjectiv e i n tere s t o f o u r o wn ,

a n d the i n tere st it self which by i t s u n ity c onf er s a A E , , Te y 10 r

i
s
xPl e a n at m
felt u nity on the serie s we c a n i n pri n ciple c o mpre
,
'

he n d h o w the ma n y qu a litie s bel on g t o the o n e

thi n g . In tha t c a se the t hi n g will be on e s ub

s ta n ce a s the emb o di me n t o f a n i n di vidu a l e x er i

p
1
Elements o f M eta physi cs , p . 12 6 .
 THE WORLD AS IMAG INATION
e n ce determi n ed by a u ni que subjective i n tere st
, ,

a n d therefore p o sse s si n g the un ity o f immedi a te

feeli n g It s m a n y qua litie s will bel on g t o it i n

.

the sa me se n se i n which the va ri o u s c on stitue n t s o f

a n experie n ce thu s u ni fied by imme di a te feeli ng a r e

sa id t o belo n g t o the simple experie n ce they

1 ”
c on stitute .

In a de qua t e . Thi s i s to th a t im a gi n a ti o n i n priva te c e n tre s

sa y ,

o f experie n ce c o n ti n ue s to f a shi o n the o rd e r whi ch it

,

bro ught o rigi n a lly But thi s priva te im a gi n i n g seem s

.

r
Th e t wo so t s
”
t o cre a te for u s t wo so rts of perceiv e d Thi n g s
of Th i n g s .

( )
1 T hi n g s which a r e o utli n ed m e rely fo r o u r c o n

v e n i en c e a n d ( 2 )
,
Thi n g s which a n swer t o ge n ui n e
divi si on s i n Na ture a s well Thu s the sa n d he a p o n .
-

the sa n ds a n d the Ma tterho rn a r e b o th Thi n g s

o f va lue i n re spect o f my i n tere st s but they a r e n o t ,

c a rved o ut a l o n g li n e s whi ch c orre sp o n d with divi

s i o n s i n Na ture On the o ther h a n d there a r e
.
,

“ ”
Thi n gs which ha ve a high degree o f e n dur a n ce ,

o f c o here n ce a n d limit s
,
which I rec og ni se t o my
,

profit but certa i nl y do n ot i n ve n t I c a rve the

, .

Ma tterhorn o ut of a la rger m oun ta i n blo ck a n d im -

p ose thi s di vi si on o n Na ture But thi s di a m on d i s a .

Thi n g which ma y exi s t s t a bly fo r a e on s whether I ,

recog ni se it s Thi n g h oo d or n ot If it i s c a st i n to
-
.

the sea or de sert it wi ll rem a i n a rela tively i n dep en

,

de n t exi s te n t s h a rply c o n tra sted with its s urro un d .

S imila rly the mic a felsp a r a n d qua rtz in thi s blo ck o f

, ,

gra n ite ca n be extra cted a n d will e n dur e sta bly with

n o le a ve wh a tever fr o m me A bit o f pl a ti n um o r
.

“
o f a rg o n a r e s tubb or n o f thi s
”
a to m Thi ng s
so rt Thi n g s o f o ur f a shi o ni n g i n so fa r a s they

co n cer n ourselve s but a l so so methi n g m ore ; t o wit

, ,

1
Elements of M eta physi cs , pp . 13 8- 9 .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
c on ti n uou s ( 1) Bec a u se its elemen ts or terms ,

wha tever they a re a n d h o wever they beh a ve a r e ,

pre se n t t o gether t o consci o u s gra sp t o the c o ,

a wa ri n g Co smic Im a gi n a ti o n Thi s c o mpre se n ce

.

c o ns titute s c o n ti n uity i n i t s mo st fu n da me n t a l
“
fo rm ( 2 ) But the so c a ll ed t erm s a s we h a ve
.
-
,

s ee n,
a r e n o t s hut o ff r a di c a lly fr o m on e a n o th e r

withi n the a ll embra ci n g c o n sci o u sn e ss ; they

-

’
mi n gle i n o n e a n other s bei n g or i n terfu s e so

tha t there n ever exi st s a term which i s quite

u n c olo ured by the re st o f the system i n which it
a ppe a r s Thi s i s n ot t o sa y with B e rg so n th a t true
.

c on ti n uity implie s at o n ce the m ul tiplicity o f

1
eleme n t s a n d the i n terpe n etra ti o n of a ll by a ll .
”

To a ssert the i n terpe n etra ti on o f a ll by a ll i n the

cre a tive pro ce ss s eem s t o go t oo fa r .

Loos en es s .
Withi n the fun da me n t a l c on ti n ui ty or un ity ,

a n d i n s pite o f the c omp e n e tr a t i o n s we ha ve t o ,

a ll o w for i n n umer a ble p a rti a l i n s ul a ti o n s di sj u n c ,

ti on s c o n fli ct s a n d bre a ks of a ll ki n d s An d a
, ,
.

rec og ni ti on of thi s truth bri n g s us t o the c o nsidera

ti on of lo ose n e ss .

L e e ss ( a term sugge sted by Hume s u se of

oo s n
’

l oo se a s a pplied t o the c o n te n t s o f o ur experie n ce )

refer s u s t o the rela tive i n de pe n de n ce o f Thi n g s ,
”

o r c o n te n t c o mplexe s withi n cre a tive evoluti o n

-
the ,

“
c on ti n uity o f which i s n o t tha t of a Bl ock Uni verse -
,
”

h a vi n g rigi dl y determi n ed deta il but tha t o f a ,

pl a stic whole the su b ph a se s of which e n j o y a

,
-

certa i n freedo m o f their o wn It i s e a sy t o c on ceive

.

h o w thi s c a n be i n a n im a gi n a l time pro ce ss When -

.
,

i n my sm a ll wa y I im a gi n e a r o m a n ce o r p oe m my
, ,

1
Crea ti ve Evolu ti on , En glish t r a nsla tion , p . 17 1 .
 LOOS ENESS
ce n tra l purpo se co n trol s the i n ve n tive pro ces s a s a
whole but I fin d a l so tha t t o a grea t exte n t the
, , ,

det a 11s S h o w i n depe n de n ce i n their cha n ge s th a t ,

there a re p ower s a n d p oten cie s whi ch I c o n fro n t ,

a n d whi ch a r e u sed r a ther th a n o wn e d by me

, , Th e .

C I i n the cre a tive pro c e ss i s i n like c a se Multi

. .
, , .

p li c i t y h a s i t s s w i n g a n d s h o ws br o ke nl y a s i n n u m e r

a ble te n de n cie s th a t a r e s u n dered a n d o fte n cl a s h .

In the e a rly st a ge s o f evoluti on t hi s l oo se n e ss o f

p a rt s a n d c olli si on o f i n iti a tive s give ri se t o a veri
ta ble ch a os An d eve n org a ni c evo luti o n a n d
.

Hi story furni sh a s we sha ll see a bu n da n t illu s

, ,

t ra ti o ns of the ri ot of l oosen e ss Onl y fa ith ca n

.
”

rega rd rea lity a s the m a nifesta ti on of a u n ita ry

p ower whose det a il s express a n u n broken life Th e
, .

e vi den ce i s o verwhel mi n g tha t i n crea tive e v olu

ti o n the p a rt s ha ve c o n sidera ble free pl a y
withi n the dyn a mic o f the whole World System -

c on cer n ed— i n a word a re lo o se , .

”

Th e i n terpe n etr a ti on of eleme n ts i n such a I n t er p e n etra

Wo rld S ystem i s n ot o n e o f a ll by a ll o n Berg

-
”

“
s o ni a n li n e s but of e a ch by muc h el se ; e a ch
,
”

eleme n t or c o mplex o f eleme n t s ha vi n g i t s

o wn s phere o f i n flue n c e a n d bei n g withi n di ffe re n t

c o mbi n a ti o n s o f o ther s uch sphere s o f i n flue n ce .

On e a tom ( o r r a ther th a t which i s s ymb o li sed

by thi s c on cept ) pe n etr a te s a n o th e r a t a n y di st a n ce

i n the phy sic a l o rder a s the phe n o me n a l a b e ll e d
, ,

gra vit a tive S ho w Ea ch di sta n t a to m mu st be

,
.

held a s pre se n t so meho w where it works a n d i s thu s ,

n o t c ut o ff i n f a ct fr o m i t s rem o te fell o w a t a ll It s .

S phere o f i n flue n ce i s o f a m a zi n g ext e n t S uch .

pe n etra ti on sho ws th a t Na ture h o wever di screp a n t

,

a n d divided a g a i n s t it self i s still in s o me fa shi o n a

,
336 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

co n ti n uous whole ; a co n ti n ui ty of loo se p a rts .

“
But it do e s n ot o f cour s e sh o w th a t every eleme n t
, ,

of qua lity i s mi n gled with every other Eve n .

the a t o m ju st me n ti on ed i s n ot pre sen t to the

s ec o n d j u st a s it i s to a thi rd o n e with which it i s

Th e di sta n t a tom s d o
”
chemic a lly c ombi n ed .

n ot mi n gle i n tim a tely In c ons id e ri n g i n te rpe n e

.

t ra t i o n we c a n n o t go beyon d the sa yi n g o f Ja me s
, ,

e a ch p a rt o f the World i s i n so me wa ys c on n ected ,

i n so me wa ys n ot c on n ected with i t s o ther p a rt s ,

a n d the w a y s c a n be di scrimi n a ted fo r m a n y o f them ,

A c on te n tio n th a t there i s
1 ”
a re o b v i o u s to view .

a ll by a ll
”
i n terpen etra tio n of i n the crea tive
proces s will ren der the pro blem of ca u sa tio n a mo n g ,

o ther s i n tr a ct a ble
,
.

12 . Q UAN TITY
5 . experie n ced qu a lity h a s i t s qu a n tity
Every
o r me a s ure An d ( o ut side the sphere o f the Co m
.

m a n d Co n cept Pa rt I Ch a p II
-
,
4 ) q u a n tity . . .
,

i n a c on crete d o m a i n implie s qu a lity In deed a

, .
,

m a n might urge n o t i n tolera bly tha t qua n tity i s

, ,

a n a spect o f q u a li ty but n o body c o uld hope t o

,

trea t qua lity i n a like wa y .

Wha t is q ua n tity Every on e kn o ws the se n sible

differen ce betwee n the weight s of o n e a n d ten
p ou n ds o f iron o r between a fa i n t a n d a very i n te n se
,

p a i n Th e s en sible experie n ce s o f m ore

. equ a l ,
”
,
”

le ss s hi n e i n their o wn light Eve n Mill how

,
”
.
,

ever who wa n t s t o gro un d qua n tity o n se ns a

,
”
ti on s doe s n ot un derta ke to sa y wha t the se se n
,

sa t i o n a l experie n ce s a r e ( Logi c B o o k I cha p ii , . . .

1
A P lura li sti c Un i verse p 79 , . .
338 THE WORLD AS IMAGIN ATION
fish , whe n tt a cked he e sc a pe s a lwa ys i n a clo ud
a ,

o f i nk . Re la ti on s a r e poi n ted to a s vi sit o rs

“
fro m a n oetic he a ve n bri n gi n g i n telligible un i ty
i n to se n se whi ch is belittled system a tic a lly to S ho w
,

o ff the virtue s o f the vi sit or s the better An d pre .

p ost e r o u s c o mplic a ti o n s e n s ue di sg u s ti ng the a ver a ge

ma n with p hi lo sophy a n d s etti n g a di sprop ortio n a te
,

va lue o n the p a rticul a r issue discu ssed .

We ha ve ha d some de a li ng s with the rela tio n

m on gers i n the course of o ur n otice of Ka n t a n d the
p o st Ka n ti a n s N ee dl e ss t o wa de deeply i n to c on
-
.

t ro v e r sy a g a i n On the b a si s of our m a i n im a gi n a l
.

—
hypothe si s of the C I reg a rded a s groun d o f . .

—
re a lity we s eem a ble t o s ugge st a view o f rela tio ns
which meets a ll re a so n a ble dem a n ds re a listic a n d ,

ide a listic a t o n ce
, .

Rel a tio n s co n ceived a s n ot merely un iti ng

term s but a s precipit a ti ng them fo r the purp ose
, ,

a r e fia tu s voci s mere n oi se s It i s a m ore pla u sible

, .

trick t o extra ct rel a ti on s fro m term s on the suppo si

ti o n th a t the terms c omi n g together the rela tio n s
, ,

s ta rt i n to bei n g E g t wo dots ( term s ) a ppea r

. . .

together i n a void They a re rel a ted a t o n ce a s

.

differe n t a n d simul ta n e ou s ; if they a ppea r o n e

a fter the o ther a s s ucce ssive while if they re semble
, ,

o n e a n o ther the rel a ti on o f like n e ss a l so is b orn

, , , .

An d the r el a ti o n o f like n e ss a t a n y r a te s eem s , ,

bou n d up i n sep a r a bly with i t s term s I tried thi s .

ki n d o f experime n t i n the d a ys o f yo uth whe n I

so ught t o derive everythi n g fro m somethi n g
el se prefera bly much p o orer tha n the rea lity
,

A S ho rt que stio n wrecks thi s a ttempt

”
derived .

to derive the S impler rel a ti o n s Whe n ce a re the .

 RELATION S

do ts a nd h o w do they c o me together It i s i n thi s

“
together tha t the soluti o n of the rela ti on riddl e -

lie s hidden .
1

Mill urge s th a t whe n ever t wo thi ng s a re sa id to Mi ll on

l t r e a l on s ’
be rel a t e d the re i s so me f a ct o r s eri e s o f fa ct s i n t o
, ,

whi ch they b oth e n ter whe never a n y t wo

thi ng s a re i n volved i n s o me fa ct o r serie s o f fa cts , ,

we ma y a scribe t o the se thi n g s a mutua l rela ti on

gro un ded o n the fa ct — the fu nda mentum r ela ti on i s ;
o r o therwi se
, a n a ttribute gr o un ded o n some fa ct
, ,

i nto whi ch the obj ect enters j oi n tly wi th a nother obj ect ,

”
i s a rela ti on betwe e n it a n d th a t o bject Thi s .

cle a rn e ss o f writi n g i s refre shi n g a fte r the verb ose

o b s cur a n ti sm o f so m a n y pe n me n Unf o rtun a tely .

Mill s p sychologic a l idea li sm ma rs the result He

’
.

re solve s t h e phe n omen a mea n t by the n a me s express ,

i n g the rela ti on i n t o s t a te s o f c o n s ci o usn e ss

,
of

thi s a n d th a t perso n S till he h a s cle a red the a ir

.
,

s uffici e n tly t o e n a ble us with the help o f the ,

ima gi n a l hyp o the si s to pro ceed ,

.

There i s i n di c a ted i n Mill s lucid writi n g a n i m Th ’

e eln e ,

a n —
p ort t clue the c on cept o f a tota l fa ct or grou nd
to whi ch the term s a n d the rel a ti ons a like belo n g .

It i s the u nity o f thi s gro un d which u n derlie s the

di ffere n ce s which di scur sive thought i sol a te s a s
”
rela ti o ns a n d wha t i s rel a ted .

Th e to ta l grou n d fo r rela ti o n co n sidered Tl

i éemg g}
p i

o f Mill s p sycho l ogic a l f l t d

r
’
n ot fro m the poi n t o f view e a e n es s .

1
In Indi vidua l a nd rg d i di
Rea li ty ( 19 09 ) I u e n scuss i ng

r l ti t g t b hi d t h
.

c os mi c e a on s t ha t we c a n no e g h e n e to et erne s s

of di fferen ces i n the Gr d ( p

oun .Thi i w r pp r s v e ea ea s in a

n ew co nte x t .
 THE WORLD AS IM AG IN ATION

ide a li sm but fro m tha t of a n ide a li stic rea li sm

,

which i s c o smic i n o utloo k i s wh a t we h a ve so ,

o fte n di s cu ss ed a s the Im a gi n a l I D E A o r C o smic

Ima gi n a ti o n .

Th e
fun da me n ta l rel a tedn e ss o f everythi n g

a n d a n yt hi n g s t a te a ble a s term s lie s i n th eir

c ompre se n ce or t o gethern e ss a s c o n te n t s of the
t ota l c osmic gro un d i e the C I D iffere n ce s a r e , . . . .

o n ly di ffere n t i n so fa r a s they a r e c o mpre se n t o r

together i n the im a gi n a l c o n te n t we a lth o f the C I -

. .

Th l ti
e re a
-
Thi s i s t o s a y th a t the rel a ti on o f di ffere n ce which
on ,

gigfififififii i s pre supp osed by a ll o ther rela ti on s ( S i n ce term s

n

s c

f
Iglgi l fi
o .
mu s t be di ffere n t i n so me wa y to be e n d s o f a rel a
“
ti o n a t a ll ) sh o ws o n the t o t a l gro un d o f the
,

C I S imila rly time i s the o rder o f di fferen t term s

. .

a s sim ul t a n e o us a n d s ucce ss ive ; s p a ce o f them a s

c o exi ste n t ; -
c a u sa ti on of them a s succe s sive i n a
s peci a lly i n tim a te wa y ; re s embl a n ce a ga i n hold s , ,

betwee n differe n t term s withi n the a ll i n clusive -

ide n tity o f the C I In the se typic a l c a se s there a re

. .

n o ticed ( I) the c o n te n t s a b c o n which we dwell a s , , ,

a rre st p oi n t s o f a tte n ti o n a n d w hi ch bec o me fo r u s

-
, ,

ter ms a n d ( 2 )
’
i n Ja me s l a n gu a g e s ub st a n tiva l , ,

the ma n n er o f their a ppea ri n g or bel o n gi n g t o the

t ot a l gro u n d a m a n n er w hi ch c a n be de scribed

a s o n e o f the v a ri o u s f o rm s i n which differ e n ce s o r

diver sity a r e a wa r e a ble a s a lso t ogether There i s n o .

mys tic a l e n tita tive rela ti on which thr o ws a n e t

a roun d a b 0 It d e serve s n o te th a t the rel a ti on
, ,
.

“ ”
itself bec o me s a term a s soon a s I dwell o n it
i n th o ught a s n ow Whe n I sa y rel a ti o n s a r e
.

a bstr a cti o n s I a m a t the he a rt o f thi s p o i n t o f view

,

I a m c o n fr o n ti n g erstwhile rel a ti o n s a s term s

a b o ut which a ss erti o n s c a n be m a de .
 THE WORLD AS IM AG INATION
co n substa n ti a l with o ur feeli n g s or th ought s o f the
term s betwee n which they o bta i n 1
Let me .
”

a dd th a t n o where i s thi s c o n sub sta n ti a lity m ore

cle a rly s ho wn tha n i n rela ti o n s o f res embl a n ce .

Two term s th a t a r e a li ke e g t wo sh a de s o f red ,

. .
,

a r e o bvi o u sly like i n re s pect o f their s e n s ible felt

n e ss An d a rel a ti o n o f like n e ss n ot h o m oge n e o us

.
,

with the felt reds them selve s wo uld seem rem a rk ,

a bly fa r t o seek We mu st a dd th a t phil o so phy

.

c a n be fa r better o ccupied th a n i n see ki n g it .

But whether you h old th a t rel a ti on s a re hom o

g e n e o u s with their terms or whether y o u m a i n t a i n,

tha t they di ffer fro m them r a dic a lly yo u come a ll the ,

s a me t o thi s The se di sti n cti o n s o f which men h a ve

.
,

m a de so much melt i n to o n e a n o ther i n t he im a gi n a l

,

s tructure o f re a lity They a r e n o t e n titie s which exi st

.

a p a rt from o n e a n o ther i n the th o ught which s ires

Na ture a n d o ur selve s An d tha t i s the m a i n c on .

sidera ti on whi ch ought t o c o n cer n meta physic s .

In Un iverse which is p sychic a l 1n cha ra cter

a ,

a nd of
—
which i n terpe n etra ti on the mi n gli n g o f
—
terms i n o n e a n other s bei n g i s a fe a tur e rela ’

,
“ ”
ti on s will be t o a very gre a t exte n t
,
i n tern a l , ,

i e s uch a s a r e c onn ected with the qua litie s of the

. .

term s ; a n y ch a n ge o f rel a ti ons i n flue n ci n g the se

qua litie s Thu s the member s of a n o vel gro up o f
.

mi n or se n tie n t s a s symb o li se d by a form ul a o f

,

chemic a l c o mbi n a ti o n ha ve n e w qua litie s a n swer ,

i n g t o the n o vel p ositi o n s w hi ch they o ccupy i n the

c osmic sp a ce order But a t thi s p oi n t a wide vi st a
-
.

o pe n s up bef o re u s a n d we h a ve m ore t o do yet bef ore

,

we a r e re a dy t o e n j o y it .

( Ma cmilla n)
1
P ri nci p les f
o P sychology, i 2 4 7 . .
 CHAP TER V
ON CE RTAIN I MP RO TA N T A S PE C T S OF T HE C I . .

C ON S ID E RE D SE A P RA TE LY ( con ti n ued )

14 . CAU SA TION

1 HA VIN G gla n ced a t rel a ti on s in gen era l we

.
,

p a ss to a speci a l prelimi n a ry n o tice o f the very

imp orta n t ki n d o f rel a tio n c a lled c a usa l The rel a Th l ti .
e re a on

ti o n itself seem s deriva tive ; a co n ten ti on which fi ZiIVti

s
a ve

will o ccupy u s duri n g the spec ul a tive a cc o un t of the

begi nn i n g s of our Wo rld S ys tem For the pre se n t -
.
,

we a re t o c o n sider c a u sa ti on a s it ch a ra cteri s es the

existi n g world Ha vi n g rec og ni sed the re a lity o f
.

time succe ssi on we a re to sugge st more preci sely

-
,

h o w the i ns ta n t s o r step s i n it foll o w o n e a n other ,

a n d foll o w i n th o se s t a ble wa ys which we ge n er a li se

“ ”
a s c a u sa l l a ws .

Ca u sa ti on i s o ur m a nn er o f thi n ki n g a bout tha t mo I s ca u sa t io n a

t wa y of
me n t o us fe a ture o f experi e n ce— the Eve n t Nothi n g t h i
ru e
. n ki n g ?

th a t begi n s sta n d s a lon e merely fla shes i n to bei n g ,

i n explic a bly 1
It i s held to be c o nn ected with
.

1
Th e o ft
en ci ted r p P i n ci le of Suffici en t Re ason a ffi rm s th a t
no f tac ca n be f dr l
oun pr p iti tr with t ffi
ea , no o os on ue , ou a su

ci en t r wh y i t i i thi w y r th r t h th r
”
e ason s n s It i
a a e a n a no e . s a

u se u flp ostu a e ,l t th gh i t
ou i by m l r w h t
s i t h no ea n s c e a a s e

prec ise mea n n i g h r f th w d

e e o r L t
e r d r th
or eason .
”
e us en e e
343
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
prior circum st a n ce s or c on di ti on s which a r e sa id to
determi n e it a n d which bei n g c o mplete it h a ppe n s
, , , .

Ca use h a s bee n defin ed a s the t o ta lity o f the s e

”
c on di ti o n s Thi s View which reg a rds the c a u se
.
,

a n d the eve n t a s so meh o w di sti n ct h a s bee n de s cribed ,

“
as an ide a l r econ str ucti on o f c on ti n uo u s ch a n ge i n
time the sugge sti on bei n g th a t we a r e n ot thi n k
i n g truly n ot im a gi ni n g re a lity qui te a s it i s
, We .

s h a ll h a ve t o d ea l with thi s critici sm very s eriou sly .

To reg a rd c a u sa ti on a s a f a l s e wa y o f thi n ki n g
wo ul d be fa ta l t o the meta physic s of thi s e ssa y .

Th act i cal me n tio n o f the

Thi s tot a lity of c o n di ti on s
an dpg e

p h i l
oso p h i l
caillu s tr a te s wh a t a gulf it i s th a t y a w n s betwee n

ggfiggggfigfby w
p
,
pr a ctic a l w a y s o f thi n ki n g a n d the a y o f phil os o phy .

e c a u s e s eeki n g pr o pe n sity i n Eo ce n e ma n mi n i s
dth 1
figfg T h
f ea 0 -
n

t ere d solely we c a n be s ure t o the pr a ctic a l n eed

, ,

o f picturi ng a defini te a n tecede n t circum st a n ce

s uch a s a c a ve be a r o r feli s sp ehl ea -

which might ,

s h ortly i n va de the pre se n t a s well ! Th e a ttitude

wa s th a t o f expect a ti on a n a rrowly circum s cribed

i n terest gui di n g p sycho physic a l imp ul se t o a c t -

.

Eve n n ow i n pra ctice a n y circum st a n ce on w hi ch

a cti on tur n s n a y eve n the a b se n ce o f a circum st a n ce
, ,

—
my ca r h a s sto pped n o sp a rki n g i s tre a ted
p opul a rly a s the c a u se of a n even t An d the .

ma n of scie n ce him self on ly me n ti o n s e sse n ti a l

a n d i n va ri a ble c on diti on s o u t o f the host a ctua lly
requi site t o the o ccurre n ce o f the phen o me n a he

p ostul a te r tly Th C I w
di ff e en .
y i h t
e h t . .
, e ca n sa , s su c a no

f t b l g l ly t it lf b t i
ac e on s so e l m t i th t t l
o se , u s an e e en n e o a

i m gi l (
a nat r ti l ) w lth f th U i r C q tly
no a on a
”
ea o e n v e se . on se uen

wh en y f t
an f ac
y h r t r w
o h t
an r h pp
c dd
a ac ely a ev e a en s su en

an d rpri i gly w
su s n lw y b , ppr i m t ly r th t it h
e ca n a a s e a ox a e su e a as

a gr d b
ou n
y d i
e t lf w
on hi h w t l
se k f c e a re o oo or .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION
” 1
to a dj a ce n t c a s es B a i n tre a t s it defin itely a s a
.

po stul a t e which mu st be m a de good so fa r a s thi s ,

i s po ssible i n the proce ss o f bei n g us ed

, Nothi n g .

m o re i s wa n ted th a n a n a ssura n ce th a t the future

will s qu a re sufficie n tly well fo r o u r purpo se s with
, ,

expect a tio n s b a sed c a refully on the expe rie n c e o f

Mill s de fini tio n o f c a use a s the a n te c ede n t or

’

the c o n curre n ce o f a n teceden t s o n whi ch it ! the

2 ”
even t ! i s i n va ri a bly a n d uncondi tiona lly co n seque n t ,

o nl y c o n siders s urfa ce phen o me n a Un con di -

.

t ion a l me a n s tha t the eve n t i s n ot co n diti on a l o n

the occurre n ce o f o ther a n tecede n t co n diti on s ;
“
i n va ri a ble th a t observa tio n s hows th a t the
eve n t a lwa ys o ccur s .

Th e t r u e
r i ddl e s t a t ed
No ttempt h a s bee n m a de to a n swer the que stio n
a
.

a s to why the eve t or c o s eque n t begi n s

n n — why ,

for i n st a n ce the c o n curri ng a n tecede n t co n diti o n s

, ,

i n the c a se o f lighti n g a fire i ssue i n the a ctu a l ,

phe n o me n a o b served It wa s n o t i n deed Mill s .

, ,
’

i n te n ti o n to pro vide a n a n swer But we a s a vo wed .

meta physici a n s ma y be m ore e n terpri si ng We .

c a nn o t re st c on te n t with the View tha t a rel a tio n o f

a n tecede n t s a n d eve n t i s a ll tha t i s s t a te a ble i n the

m a tter Th e fire do e s n ot begi n merely bec a u se

.

certa i n o ther surfa ce phe n o me n a bel on g t o the -

time s ucce ssi on i n whi ch it lie s

-
On the o ther .

h a n d we o ught n ot to s eek to fin d the grou n d o f

,

2 ”
t hi s begi nni n g i n a rea son We ought to require .

1
Logi c, 8 th edi t . , p . 3 76 .

2
Logic, B k
oo III. ch a p . v. 6, La w of Ca u sa t i on .

2
A cau se, wri t ”
es Hegeli a n D Hu tchi n son S ti li n g ( Notes
th e r r
to t r a n sl a ti on of S chwegler s Ha ndbook of the Hi stor y of P hi lo
’
 CAU S ATION

a cc oun t o f h o w the concrete sens ible pheno

clea r a

menon fire c ome s to a ppea r i n the time series ; -

a nd no juggli n g with a b stra ct rea son s will

suffice t o pro vide u s with wh a t we w a n t Ho w .

a r e we to o bta i n it On the li n e s o f the ima gi na l

hypothe si s which we a r e followi n g o ut .

Th e s ecret of
c a u sa ti on will n ot a ppea r a s a Th t f e s ecr e
O o
o

re a so n n or a g a i n will it ta ke the s h a pe o f the

, ,

hyp o the si s pro pou n ded by B a i n Mill ha d hi s eye E d

gizgggmm .

m a i n ly o n a pro ce ssi o n of qua lities ; B a i n o n

qu a n tity Tr a n sferred e n ergy i s thu s the fin a l
.

a n d su ffic i n g expl a n a tio n o f a ll ch a n ge a n d the o nly

expla n a ti on i n the highe st se n se o f the word An y .

fa ct o f c a u sa ti o n n ot c a rried up i n t o thi s supreme

,

la w ma y be c orr e ctly s t a ted but it i s n ot a cc o un ted

, ,

for A c a se o f c a usa l re la ti o n i s a n a lysa ble i n to

”
1
.

mo vi n g p o wer a n d a c olloc a ti o n o f circum

s ta n ce s Ca r v e t h Re a d i s equa lly i n si ste n t
. Th e .

tra n s form a ti o n o f ma tter a n d e n ergy is the

e sse n ce o f c a u sa ti o n a n d the c a u se of a n y eve n t
2
,

when exa ctly a scerta i n a ble h a s five m a rks it , ,

i s ( qu a n tit a tively ) e qu a l t o its e ffect a n d it i s ,

( qu a lit a tively ) i t s immedi a te u n c o n diti o n ed i n , ,

”
va ri a ble a n tecede n t Thi s i s o ur o ld frie n d the .

c o ns erva ti on o f En ergy i n a n e w r 61e It s fu n c .

ti o n here i s t o m a ke Mill s c o n cept o f u n con di ’

t i o n a li t y more de fin ite Fo r whe n i s a c a u se .

u n c o n diti o n a ll y a dequa te t o a n effect Whe n the

sop hy, 8 th edi t .

, p . i s t he ra ti on a l a nt eced en t o f a con so

q u en t . Philoso p hy is n othi n g bu t th e demon st r ti a on o f thi s

r ti
a o n a li t y wh i h c , of c ou se , r is n ot a l wy a s ex pli it A r
c
”
a ti on a l

w i bl f t
.

’
a n te c ed en t on t accou n t for th e fire as sens e ac
1
Logi c, Inducti on ,
”
p . 30 .

2
Logi c Deducti ve and Inducti ve, p . 177 .
348 THE WOR LD AS IM A GINATION
t wo equa l for if the e ffect i s the gre a ter the
a re ,

whole c a u se c a nn o t h a ve been di sc o vered ; a n d if

the c a u se i s the gre a ter so me p orti o n o f the e ffect
,

mu st still be u n expl a i n ed 1
With re spect t o the.
”

“
Ma tter c on cern ed a n d the En ergy tra n sformed ”
,

c a u se a n d effect a r e equa l a n d with re spect t o ,

Ma tter i n deed a re m ore properly styled iden tic a l

,
”
,
”
-
the e ffect bei ng o nl y the c a u se redi stributed .

We h a ve a lre a dy s a id e n ough a bout the mech a n

i st i c c on cepts of Ma tter ( exte n ded m a ss ) a n d En ergy .

They a re c on ceptu a l i n s trume n t s o f va lue m a i nl y

to pra ctice O ffered a s meta physic a l ultim a tes
.

they become a b surd .

Th e bjecti on s t o thi s ki n d o f expl a n a ti on a r e

o

s t a te a ble s ucci n ctly thu s ( )

1 N o t a ll a.ll eged c a s e s

o f c a u sa ti o n c a n be di s cu s sed i n thi s wa y Thu s .

the c a u se s of the c on ver si on o f L ibera l s t o Home

Rul e or o f my revolt a g a i n s t Ka n t s do ctri n e o f
,
’

c a tegorie s mu st be de scribed i n term s of p syc hi c a l

,

tra n siti o n s I n eed n ot e nl a rge on the exten t o f the

.

field sa mpled by the se c a se s ( 2 ) An d eve n i n the .

reg a rd o f Na ture thi s ki n d of de scripti on ign ore s the

qu a lit a tive a n d the m ost puzzli n g side of the
, ,

riddl e of c a u sa l ch a n ge No c on serva ti o n the ory

.

tell s u s why a n d h o w thi s m o de o f En ergy p a sse s

—
i n t o tha t i t do dge s the di ffic ul ty by urgi n g u s t o
t hi n k solely of equiva le n cie s o f qu a n tity ( 3 ) .

Th e e n titie s u sed i n the me a s uri n g o f qu a n tity ,

Viz Ma tter a n d En ergy a s o ur a n a lyse s h a ve

.
,

s h o wn a r e i n ve n ti o n s thr o wn o ff t o c o n ve n ie n ce
,

c a lcula ti on s .

1
I f ound thi s p a ssa e
g i n hi s M eta physi cs of N a tur e.
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
o utloo k for a ge n t s whi ch rea lly a ct a n d so bri ng to
,

p a ss ha ppe ni n g s o f i n tere st t o him i s surely n ea rer ,

a gr a s p o f re a lity th a n the dr e a mer wh o a ccept s a

Un iver se i n which n o thi g h ppen s t

n a a a ll— i n whi ch
everythi ng i s determi n ed t o be wh a t it i s withi n the
Experie n ce which gra sp s i t s c on te n t s i n timele ss
fixi t y Are a ll dr a m a s o f the fo re st a ll the cruel
.
, ,

s qua lid a n d mi ser a ble det a il s o f the sa va ge s c a reer

’
, ,

peeps i n to the a lre a dy c o mplete spiritu a l hea ve n o f

the Ab solute Thi s sur ely i s a h a rd sa yi n g i n deed .

Ca u sa ti on a s a m o de of thi n ki n g of me n o f scie n c e
, ,

me a n s th a t a n eve n t i s c ompletely determi n ed by

“
the a n tecede n t c o n di ti on s o f which we s poke .

An d thi s implie s wh a t Ta ylo r c a ll s a on e sided -

dependen ce o f the pre se n t o n the p a st a n d o f the ,

”
futur e on the pre se n t 1
Ta ylo r like o ther ide a li st s
.
,

o f h i s s ch ool c on sider s th a t l ogic a lly there i s n o

,

better re a son for tre a ti n g a n eve n t a s determi n ed

s olely by a n tecede n t s th a n fo r tre a ti n g it a s so lely
,

”
determi n ed by sub seque n t eve n t s Th e pri n ciple .

o n whi ch he relies th a t o f Gro u n d a n d Co n se

,

que n ce i s to the e ff ect th a t the whole o f exi ste n ce

,
”

is a si n gle c o here n t sys tem i n which every p a rt i s

determi n ed by the n a ture o f the whole a s revea led
i n the c o mplete system But if thi s i s true e a ch
.
,

c o n stitue n t o f the system c a n o nl y be e n tire ly

determi n ed by it s c o ecti o n s wi th a ll the r est
nn 2
.
”

Thi s i s t o s a y th a t the a lleged o n e sided depe n de n ce -

,

e g o f the expl o si o n o f a s he ll o n a n tecede n t c o n

. .
,

di t i o n s o verl o o ks th a t porti o n of the c o n te n t s o f

the Ab solute Experie n ce which fro m o ur fini te ,

p o i n t o f Vi ew we c a ll the future
, The explo si o n .

1
Elemen ts o f M eta h si
p y s c , p . 166 .

2
Ibi d.
, p . 16 7 . The i ta li c s a re mi n e .
 “
is de termi n ed by the se future c o n te n ts a s well a s ,

by the i n n umera ble other pri o r c on diti on s fro m whi ch

scie n ce a n d popul a r tho ught m a ke their mea gre selec
ti o n s Thi s i s the l ogic a l defect i n c a u sa ti on whi ch
.

preve n ts it from bei n g reg a rded a s givi ng the highe st

truth a n d reduce s it t o the level of a pra ctic a lly
,

useful po stul a te n o t to be ta ke n too seri o usly

, .

It i s clea r tha t thi s a ttitude pre suppo se s the un

“
rea lity of time succe ssi o n ; the -
future ( a s we
spe a k o f it ) i s i n bei n g a n d a s a p a rti a l a spect o f
, ,

the Absolute Experie n ce c on tribute s to the deter ,

mi ni n g o f the presen t a n d a l so of wha t we c a ll

, , ,

a g a i n fro m the fi ni te poi n t o f View the pa st , .

We c a nn o t e n dor se thi s m o de o f a ssa ili n g c a u sa

ti o n . Time s ucce ssi o n i s re a l ; it i s the For m of
-

Crea tion it self ( Pa rt II Cha p III . . .

In i n dic a ti n g the c o n diti o n s o f a n eve n t the se Th th d ,

e r ea s
f
critic s po i n t to the e n tire c on te n ts o f the Un iverse 333322?
3 O
.

If in o ur turn we were to gra sp a t a nteceden t co n te n t s fi hlil ili

, ,
t
l
el
s ri
‘

i n this wa y we s ho uld be o fferi n g the e n tire pri or

,
d i t i t s nc

p orti o n of o ur World S ystem a s t he c a u se o f the se

-

a n d th ose p a rticul a r differ en t

”
eve n t s a n d s ho uld ,

debo uch thu s i n a b surdity Assume e g tha t .

,
. .
,

eve n ts a shell explosi o n a he a rt be a t a s hriek

, ,
-
, ,

a fa ll o f w a ter o ccur sim ul ta n e o u sly

, We sho ul d .

be sa yi n g th a t the sa me tota lity o f a n tecede n t con

di t io n s i s the c a us e o f fo ur different e ffects An d .

thi s would ren der the c o n cept o f c a use va luele ss

a lik e fo r the purp o se s o f pr a ctice a n d philoso phic

thi nki n g We mu st therefo re a vo id thi s impa sse

.
, , .

We must a dhere to the old Vi e w tha t t he threa ds o f

“
c a u sa tio n i n t he c a se s o f the fo ur eve n ts a re
so meho w di sti n ct a n d S h a ll
,
be req uired to o ff er
 THE W OR L D AS IMA IN ATIONG
so me a cc o u n t of the m a n n er in which this di sti n ct
n e ss o bt a i n s.

Cr i t ici sm
c a u sa ti on
of We h a ve to no tic e a t t hi s ju n cture the a rgume n t
b a s ed on
a ll eg e
th e a g a i n s t c a u s a ti o n b a sed o n the c o n ti n uity o f t he
,
'

c on t i n ui ty time s erie s a s pr e se n ted by Ta ylor It thro ws i n to

-
, .

of t h e t i me
se r i es .
relief fe a ture s o f the situa ti o n o f rea l m o me n t :
the doctri n e tha t the c a u se precede s the
effect re st s up on the n oti o n tha t the time serie s i s -

o n e i n whi ch e a ch member h a s a n ext term An d .

thi s seem s i n c o n ceiva ble For n ot o nl y c a n yo u .

s ub di vide a n y fin ite time h o wever sma ll i n to t wo

, ,

mutua lly exclu sive p a rt s but the p oi n t a t which ,

the di vi si o n i s effected i s it self a m o me n t i n the time

s erie s lyi n g between the begi n ni n g a n d the e n d o f the

origi n a l i n terva l Time therefore mu st be c on

.

t i n u o u s a n d if c a u sa ti o n i s n ot equ a lly c o n ti n u ous

, ,

we mu st supp ose th a t g a p s of empty time a re wh a t

s ep a ra t e the fir s t eve n t the c a u se fr o m the s u bse
, ,

quen t even t the e ff ect Yet if thi s c o uld be r e

,
.

g a rded a s a defe n sible do ctri n e o n o ther gro u n ds it ,

wo uld the n foll o w th a t the a ssembl a ge o f eve n ts A

i s n ot the t o t a li ty o f c on diti o n s r e qui site for the
o ccurre n ce o f B .

An d B osa n quet a sk s i n a simil a r vei n

a — if i n ,

s eque n ce a b c o n ti n uity i s br o ke n
-
,
so th a t a a n d b ,

a re de t a ched eve n t s Wha t differe n ce c o uld it

,

m a ke if i n ste a d of a c preceded b
, ,
1
Th e ra di c a l
o bjecti o n i s th a t mere a c a nn o t be s upp osed t o

pro duce b a cr o ss the ga p a n d th a t a f ur ther fa cto r

,

mu st be i n tro duced t o bridge t h e i n terva l But .

if th a t f a ct o r a l so i s a deta ched eve n t a n other ga p ,

will h a ve t o be bridged a n d so o n We get t o the

,
.

1
Essen ti a ls o f Logi c, p . 165 .
 THE WORLD AS IM AG INATION
— the a bstra ct la w of co n tra di cti o n not wi th
s t a n di n g — mus t a ccommoda te it self t o the situa
ti o n An d it c a n do so e a sily si n ce the exper i ence
.
,

tha t c on ti n uity a n d di screte n e ss a r e so meh o w

t ogether i s it self t he proo f tha t they a r e not the
“
exclu sive s or c on tra ries whi ch the la w such a s ,
”

it i s h a s i n View
,
.

Ca usa t i on a s We sha ll n o w a ttempt t o i n di c a te the li n e s on

a cc e pt e d on
t h e l i n es of which c a u sa ti on ca n be a ccepted .

th e i ma gi n a l
h yp ot h esi s.

Co nf orma bly with the im a gi n a l hypothesi s of

re a lity which o n ce m o re a ffords a clue we a ccept
, ,

a n d i n terpret c a u sa ti o n thu s .

Ca usa tio n i s a —
wa y o f expla i n i n g ch a n ge the
h a ppen i n g of eve n t s 1
Ch a n ge i s re a l Time
. .

s ucce ssi o n which i s the order of cha n ges i s the

, ,

For m of Cr ea ti on It i s a m a nn er o f a ppea ri n g o f
.

qua lity ( such a s we a wa re i n multitudi n o u s va riety

a like i n the o utwa rd a n d i n wa rd pre s e n t ) a n d c o n
“
t a i n s a cc or di n gly n o empty l a p se s or
, , ga ps 2
.
”

Were there n o cha n gi n g qu a litie s there wo uld be ,

n o time s ucce ssi o n a t a ll

-
.

This c crete time serie s a s it exi st s for the C I

on -
, . .

a nd ,i n fra gme n t a ry fa shi o n for o ur selve s i s wh a t ,

i s tech n ic a lly c a lled a di sc on ti n u o u s s erie s i e . .

it h a s members or term s whi ch h a ve n ext term s a n d ,

a r e fin i te i n n umber Ch a n ge ta ke s pl a ce i n such
.

a s erie s a s Ja me s put s it i n s tep s

, Th a t i s to sa y
,
.
,

1 A Thi ng is a r
mo e or less endu i ng com lex ev ent r p .

2
Ti me ga s
”
p
a s we li v e t h e m, a r e t h emselv es se nsi le
, b
q
feltn esses, bu t cont a i n u ali t a ti v e conten t di e ent om t ha t ff r fr
w p
i n hi ch we are s eci a ll y in te este d r .
there a re n o i n finitely gr a ded tra nsiti o n s betwee n
the term s A B C D tra ns iti on s which were
, , , ,

they rea l woul d de stro y t h e di sti nctn ess of the term s

,

them selves There a re i n la st re so rt a brupt tra n si

.
, ,

ti o n s i n whi ch B follo ws A a n d C fo llo ws B a n d a ll , ,

the se term s h a ve a certa i n mi ni m a l dur a ti on i n ,

which there i s n o cha n ge a t a ll Thi s mi n i ma l .

dura ti on i s a n echo wi thi n the wor ld of cha nge of wha t

we ha ve ca lled the con serva ti v e or g en u i n e p r e

evoluti on a r y p r es en t ( P a rt II . Cha p . III . 3,

Rega rdi n g such step s Ja me s o b serves : If a J m a es on

t p S e s
bottle h a d t o be emptied by a n i n fin ite n umber o f
'

s ucce ssive decreme n t s it i s m a them a tic a lly i mp o s ,

sible tha t the emptyi n g sh o uld ever p o sitively

termi n a te In p oi n t of fa ct ho wever b ottle s a n d
.
, ,

c o ffee p ots empty them selve s by a fini te n umber

-

o f decreme n ts e a ch o f defini te a m o unt Either a

,
.

whole dr o p emerg e s or n othi n g emerges fro m t he

sp o ut If a ll ch a n ge wen t thu s dro pwi se s o t o
.
,

spe a k if re a l time spro uted or grew by u ni ts o f

,

dur a ti o n o f defini te a mo un t just a s o ur percepti on s ,

o f it grew by pul se s there woul d be n o Z e n oni a n ,

p a ra do xe s or Ka n ti a n a n ti n omie s t o tro uble u s .

All o ur se n sible experie n ce s a s we get them imme ,

di a t ely do thu s ch a n ge by di scret e pul se s o f per

,

c e pt i o n e a ch of which keep s us sa yi n g m ore

, ,

‘ ’
more more or le ss less le ss a s the defin ite
, ,
’
, , ,

”
i n cremen t s or di mi n uti o n s m a ke them selve s felt .

—
It i s of striki n g signi fica n ce i s it n ot — th a t
“
se n sible experie n ce i n wa rd a s well a s out
,
”
wa rd revea l s the se di screte pul ses In the e xper i
,
.

e n ce then whi ch mu st verify hyp othe si s the

, , ,

step s o f ch a n ge a r e to thi s exte n t o bvi o u s , ,

fa ct. Yo u o bject perh a p s th a t we o u ght to be, ,

 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION

di s cu ssi n g , hum a n wa ys o f perceivi n g

n ot ou r

ch a n ge but c o smic ch a n ge it se lf Ch a n ge however

, .
, ,

a s a wa re d by u s i s p a rt o f thi s wider stre a m o f

,

ch a n ge An d
.
— n ever let it be fo rg o tte n — the
c o smic im a gi n a l a ctivity expre ssed i n ch a n ge i s , ,

fun da me n t a lly a ki n t o o u r o wn se n tien t life There .

i s n o t hi n g the n prep oster o u s i n the sta teme n t th a t

, ,

di screte pul se s o f cha n ge s uch a s a re pro va bly ,

pre sen t t o o ur selve s ma y be pre sen t a l so t o Cosmi c

, , ,

I ma gi n i ng o n the gre a t sc a le Th e re lie s hi dde n i n .

thi s vit a l c ompleme n t a ry View the soluti on of the

riddle o f c a use a n d effect .

riddl e a lre a dy n oticed but left u n solved i s n ow

A , ,

H wd
o th co nf ro n ti n g us Ho w doe s the t ota lity of a n te
oe s e .

33323 53323 cede n t c o n di ti o n s c a u se whe complete

1
or n , ,
,

l i t or get f o ll o wed by n eve n t If A i

giggf zg u ,
e
ss n o a ? s
n
p a
ca se
, ,

qui te di sti n ct fro m a n d pri or t o B h o w do e s B c o me, , ,

t o o c c ur a t a ll Wo ul d n o t a c a u se C equa lly ,

det a ched s erve ju st a s u sefully a nd u selessly a s A

,

in a cc o u n ti n g fo r wha t e n sue s Thi s i s a fa ir

a n d a telli n g query a n d will h a ve t o be met , .

A E Ta yl or sugge s t s tha t the

. . di sc on ti n uo u s
Vi e w of c a u sa ti on requi re s u s to a ssume a n e mpty
time g p
a b e twee n A a n d B a n d th a t h a vi n g , ,

a ssumed it we mu s t s t a t e h o w B c a n a ppe a r o n the

,

further side o f the ga p 1

Hi s c o mmen t i s tha t A
.

doe s n ot exi st u n til a b c ! the c on diti on s which

, ,

it i n clude s ! a r e a ll pre se n t a n d a s so o n a s they a r e , ,

pre se n t B i s pre se n t to o An d thu s the rela ti on

,
.

betwee n A a n d B i s n o t tha t o f the seque n c e o f a

l a ter eve n t o n a n e a rlier Th e y a r e a ctu a lly .

”
together .

1
Elemen ts f
o M eta phys i cs , p . 173 .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION

reg a rded a s tra n sforma ti on An d for u s who h a ve .

,

c a st a wa y mecha n i stic super stiti on tr a n sform a ti on ,

it i n evit a bly i s Ho w does thi s qu a lit a tive tra n s

.

form a ti o n c o me t o p a ss

It i s p a rt o f the crea ti ve i ma gi na l process which

we a r s the form o f time succe ssi o n Na ture it self -
.
,

a s we h a ve s ee n i s n o t hi n g but a n im a gi n a l wh ole
,

o r s u b wh o le whi ch bud s o ff fr o m the C I ; a n d

-
. .

the di ff eren t pro cesse s withi n Na ture a re a cc o rd ,

i n gly on ly difl eren t sorts of i ma gi na l ha pp en i ngs

'

, .

Withi n Na ture a g a i n the di ffere n t p a rt s a ll but

, ,

bre a k a wa y fro m their su b whole ju st a s thi s sub -

,

whole a ll bu t broke a wa y fro m the C I thi s i s the . .

free s wi n g o f the mul tiplicity whi ch we ha ve so

o fte n di scu ss ed N o w Na ture ret a i n s i t s im a gi n a l
.

cha ra cter i n i t s qu a si i n depen de n t life It i s litera lly

-
.

a p o em i n the m a ki n g a n d a p o em let us a dd th a t
, , ,

h a s p a rt s l a rgely ma ki n g themselves For the c a n t o s .

,

st a n z a s wo rds a n d letter s of thi s p oem a r e n ot

, ,

d o mi n a ted e n tirely by the m a i n ide a o f the p o em

they a re l oo se a spect s o f the sub whole Na t ur e -
, ,

a n d the re sul t i s th a t N a ture i n m a n y reg a rds i s , ,

ch a rge a ble with l a ck o f order Th e imm a n e n t .

purp ose i s a br o ke n o n e a n d di sc ords preva il i n m ost

,

qu a rter s Thi s fea ture mu st be b or n e i n mi n d i n

.

expla i n i n g c a u sa ti on It will be Vita l a l so to o ur

.
, ,

un dersta n di n g o f the birth o f evil a n d o f much el se

n o t yet i n View .

Let A (a ) t,
b,
d fo r the
0 t t
s an
o a lity o f c o n di
ti on s the o xyge n a n d hydr oge n a n d a ll tha t g oe s
,
”
,

to m a ke them wh a t they a re a n d to fur ni sh the

s etti n g i n which th e y meet Hydrogen a n d o xyge n .

a r e of course
,
symbol s o n ly o f p sychic a l exi ste n ts
, ,
 US ATION
CA

s ci o u s ra ther tha n c on sci o us i n the sen s e i n

”
whi ch cen tre s of experie n ce which c ompri se selve s , ,

a r e c o n s ci o us An d the se p sychi c a l exi ste n t s a n d

.

a ll the o ther c o n curri n g c o n di ti o n s h a ve qu a lit a tive

c on ten ts b a sa lly the sa me a s o ur s whe n we a wa re

c olo ur s so un ds p a i n s etc Wha t ha ppen s whe n
, , , .

A ( a b 0 ) bec o me rela ted i n the very i n tim a te wa y

, ,

which i s symb o li sed by the chemic a l process

a n d wha t it i n vo lves

Mi nor gen t s or se n tie n ts of the time pro ce ss a s

a -
,

we sha ll n ote i n our ta le of the begi n ni n g s a r e self ,

c on servi n g a cha ra cteri stic which they i n herit

fr o m the co n serva tive gr o un d whe n ce Na ture or , ,

ra ther the Na tur e s bud o ff Their qua litie s re si st , .

a lter a tio n ; their s elf c o n serva ti o n implie s c o n fli ct

-

with a n y ho stile qua lity which i s thrust o n them

fro m witho ut S uch i n va si on s a r e a lwa ys t a ki n g
.

pla ce ma n y further the qua lity or qua lities o f the

mi n or sen tien t a n d a r e un re si sted ; m a n y a r e n eutra l ,

perha p s ma n y felt a s ho stile or contra ry In the

, .

mi n gli n g of self c on ser vi n g qua litie s i n thi s in ter

-

pe etr ti o
n a n — a n i n terpe n etr a ti on n ot a s B ergson ,

ha s urged of a ll by a ll bu t of a ll by much else

”
, ,

—occur the pro ductio n s o f eve n t s

Th e c on curren ce o f c ondi ti o n s a b c a s Th , , ,
e pr o duc
ti on o f th e
a sserted by m a n y wr 1t e r s 1s a mere p hr a se but a s “ , , , e v en t ,
"

we un der sta n d the field of c a u sa ti o n it i s ge n ui n ely ,

expre ssive In the i n terpen etra ti o n of t h e m ore o r

.

le ss l oose m o de s o f Na ture the c o n diti on s re a ll y

“
,

do r u n to gether o r meet
1
An d a b c i n thu s .
, , ,

i n terpen etra ti n g or meeti n g i n the c a se un der n otice ,

1
Thi s will b e sho w
n clea rly i n th e accoun t of th e o rigi n of

c os mi c s p ac e i tsel f .
 THE WOR LD AS IM A IN ATIO N G
mi n gle i n o n e a n other s bei n g very i n tim a tely
’

i n deed Thi s very i n tima te mi n gli n g impli e s a

.

mutua l furthera n ce but a l so a p a rti a l c o n fli ct i n

, , , ,

whi ch c on tra rie s a ssert them selve s a t the sa me

p oi n t s of s p a ce a n d time Thi s imp a sse i s dea lt .

with by a n a brupt ha rm o ni si n g i ma gi na l crea tion

the n ew qu a litie s of wa ter whi ch were n ot pre se n t i n
the c on di ti o n s reg a rded sep a ra tely or c oll ectively
before the crea tive a c t Tha t like c on di ti on s i ssue
.

everywhere i n like o r a ppro xim a tely like

,
even ts ,

s ho ws tha t Na tur e ho wever di v i de d a ga i n st i t

,
“
s elf h o wever br o ke n by the
, l oo s en e ss o f thi n g s ,

i s n everthele ss a n i n ch o a te im a gi n a l system o r
, ,

o rdered wh o le . Im a gi ni n g eve n i n the he a rt o f ,

di screte m ul tiplicity i s n ever ,

perh a p s utte rly , ,

c a prici o us ( Cf on un iformity pp 4 6 7
. .
, .

It i s n oticea ble tha t we h a ve here wha t might be

”
1
tortured i n to di a lectic But i n truth there i s
.
, ,

n o di a lectic a l m o me n t whi ch p a sse s i n to a n d so ,

evolve s i t s n ega ti on or o pp osite (m o me n t 2 ) a n d

,

emerge s a s a re sult ( m o me n t No whi ch i n clude s .

the e a rlier m o men t a n d i t s n e g a ti o n O ur c on di

“
.

ti on s a re fou nd for one a nother a n d the ha rmon i s i ng ,

“
ima gi n a l cre a ti o n wa s impli cit i n n one of them ,

“
but i s a n o velty of re a l time — I a pply Ja me s
’

”
l a n gua ge s pr o uti n g .

We c a n s urmi s e n o w i n p a rt h o w the i n de fin i tely

va ried n o velty whi ch ma rk s the perceptua l flux a n d
o ur i n wa rd live s c a n emerge Ther e i s the o b served
.

s t a bility o f e qui v a l e n t s i n tra n sfo rm a ti on but , ,

a l o n g with thi s s t a bility due to s elf c on serva ti on -

, ,

1
Hegel h eld tha t di ale cti c wa s ill u stra ted thr ough ou t Na tur e .

It i s th e uni v e rsa l p ow er ( P a r t I Ch a p IV . . .
 THE WORLD AS IM AG IN ATION

men a of the commu n ic a tio n of m o ti on ( o r of pres

s ure which i s a te n de n cy to m o ti o n ) fr o m o n e body
,

Ea ch c a u se here h a s its f ul l e ffect

”
t o a n o ther .
,

ju st a s if the b o dy h a d bee n s ubjected t o o n e a fter

the o ther After n o ti n g the s urfa ce p henomena i n
.
-

thi s qua rter Mill use s the expre ssi o n c omp ositi o n
,

o f c a use s to c o ver a ll c a se s i n whi ch the j oi n t

effect i s a n a lysa ble i n to the su m o f the sep a ra te
effects .

Thi s c ompo siti on o f c a u se s do es n o t a pply to

chemi stry for here , m os t o f the uniformitie s t o
which the c a u se s c on f ormed whe n s ep a ra te ce a se
a lto gether whe n they a r e c o n j o i n ed a n d to k n o w

exa ctly wh a t a c o mbi n a ti on wi ll pr o duce we h a ve

t o try it a n d n o t deduce it Thi s h o lds still m ore
.

true of tho se fa r m ore c omplex c o mbi n a ti on s o f

eleme n ts whi ch c o n stitute org a ni sed b o die s a n d i n
whi ch th ose extra o r di n a ry n e w un iformitie s a ri se
which a re c a lled the l a ws o f life All org a n i sed
.

b o die s a r e c o mp osed of p a rt s simil a r t o tho s e

c o mp osi n g i n org a ni c n a t ur e a n d whi ch h a ve eve n
them selve s exi sted i n a n i n org a n ic sta te ; but
‘

the phe n omen a o f life which re s ult fr o m the

j uxt a p ositi on ( s i c o f tho s e p a rt s i n a cert a i n
m a nn er be a r n o a n a logy t o a n y o f the effect s
whi ch wo ul d be pro duced by the a cti o n of the
c o mp on e n t s ub sta n ce s co n sidered a s merely physic a l
”
a ge n t s .

Thi s c on stitute s i n Mill s o pi ni on

,
’
on e of t he
,

fun da men ta l disti n cti on s i n Na ture But com

.

p ositi on o f l a ws whi ch work together un a ltered i s

the gen era l r ul e a n d the joi n t c a u sa ti on with hetero
,

ge n eo u s e ff ects ( i n which l a w s c a lled o n to w o rk

 CA US ATION
together ce a se a n d give pla ce t o o ther s ) is speci a l
, ,

a n d excepti o n a l Th e re a r e n o o bject s which do

.

n o t a s t o so me o f their phe n o me n a
, o bey the pri n ,

c i le o f the c o mp o siti on o f c a u se s n o n e th a t h a ve
p ,

n ot so me l a w s which a r e rigidly fulfilled i n every

c o mbi n a ti o n i n to whi ch t h e o bject s e n ter ( g

e . .

the p a rt s of a n orga ni sm c o n form t o chemi c a l a n d

mecha n ic a l la ws i n so fa r a s the o pera ti on o f tho se
l a ws i s n o t c o un tera cted by the n e w la ws which
g over n them a s orga ni sed bei n g s Mill s u se of ’

“
the term la ws i s somewha t t oo sugge stive of
pri n ciple s whi ch con trol phe n o me n a ra ther th a n o f ,

gen era li sa ti o n s which rec ord the u ni formitie s or

.

sa me n e sse s o f beh a vi o ur o f thi n g s .

Hetero p a thi c l a ws ma y c on c ur the n with a , ,

p orti o n of t h e previ o u s l a ws which they repl a ce a n d

c omp o u n d the effect s of the se with their own A .

hetero p a thic la w ma y a l so c omp o un d i t s effect , ,

with th a t of a n o ther hetero p a thic la w o r l a ws a s ,

An d
”
i n a n ordi n a ry c a se o f c o mp ositi on .

chemi stry a n d physi ol ogy ma y yet be deductive 1

,

if the n e w hetero p a thic l a ws a re c a rried un a ltered

i n to further c o mbi n a ti o n s S imple l a ws of life ma y .

c omp o u n d with o n e a n other a n d with physic a l

a n d chemic a l l a w s to pro duce c o mplex o rg a n ic
re sult s .

1
Th e di fe f r p w r
mi cal com oun d ill nev e ,
en t a cti on s of a ch e

b
u n dou tedl
y bfe o u n d t
, o be t h e su ms o f t h e apr
c ti on of i t s se a a te

ele men ts ; r b w pr p r
bu t t h e e ma y e xi st et een th e o e t i es of t he

p
c om ou nd a n d t h ose of i ts elemen ts r
so me c on st a n t ela ti on
,

whi h if di r bl by ffi i t i d ti w ld bl
c , scov e a e a su c en n uc on , ou en a e us

t f r
o th
o e see rt f mp d whi h will r lt fr m w
e so o co ou n c e su o a ne

comb i t i bfr w h
na on t ll y t ri d i t
e o e d t j dg
e f
a v e a c ua e , an o u e o

wh t rt f l m t m w b t i mp d d b f r
a so o e e en s so e ne su s a n ce s co oun e e o e

w h
e ly d i t Thi pr ph y h
a v e a na se i. b md g ds o ec as s n ce ee n a e oo .
 THE W OR L D AS IM AG IN ATION
It is rem a rka ble ho w a t certa i n critic a l po i n ts i n
,

the evoluti o n of Na ture striki n gly n o vel ha ppe ni n g s

, ,

n o t deducible fr o m pri o r h a ppe ni n g s superv e n e , ,

“
a n d how the heter o p a t hi c ”
l a ws ge n era li si n g ,

the se ha ppe ni n g s a r e rec o mp o un ded i n defin itely

,

“
with on e a n other a n d with o ther c a usa l la ws
i n the cre a ti on o f a n e w o rder of thi n g s
which thi n g s a g a i n beh a ve s o a s t o ge n er a te
, ,
“ ”
further l a ws a pro ce ss whi ch c on ti n ue s beyo n d
,

bi ol ogy i n to the he a rt o f Hi story a n d i n di vidu a l

Al m o st tri ki n g a s the im a gi n a l le a p s a t the

as s

a —
critic l p oi n t s o f cre a tive e voluti o n a s e g a t the . .

f
birth o the bi ol ogic a l o rg a n i s m — i s the m a n n er
i n which the se b o lder i nn o v a ti o n s a r e pro duced
s p a ri n gly s o a s n ot t o imperil the s t a bility o f a n

o rderly a dva n ce A certa i n ec o no my o f cre a ti o n

.
,
”
a s s h o wn i n the d e t a il o f the rec o mp o u n di n g ,

m a rks the Co smic Im a gi n i n g

We ha ve fou n d i n the c a se of chemic a l pro ce ss ,

whi ch implie s a n i nti ma te i n terpen etra ti on o f cert a i n

mi n or p syc hi c a l exi ste n t s lyi n g a t the he a rt o f
0
Na ture th a t a c a used eve n t i s an im a gi n a l
,

cre a tio n But we a l so sa id so me whi le a go tha t the

.

s ecret o f c a u sa ti o n o ught t o be so ught i n the ful l

gla re o f o ur o wn di rectly kn o wn p sychic a l live s .

Here we a re a wa re o f re a lity fro m the i n side If .

,

therefore the ima gi n a l View o f c a u sa ti o n ca n be

,

verified there o ught t o be a n a ttempt to seek such

,

ve rific a ti o n wit hi n o ur selve s Th e form s o f c a u sa .

ti o n will va ry much fr o m those on simpler level s o f

bei n g but they o ught to reve a l ima gi ni n g eve n more
,

o bvi o u sly An d they do

. .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION
time succe ssi on a s the Form o f Cre a ti o n ) welc ome s
-

the n o ti on of bec o mi n g a n d wi th it the truth tha t

,

s omethi n g pro ceeds fro m n o thi n g i n a ll qua rters

a n d time s o f the evo luti o n a ry pro ce ss .

Ima g i na ti on Wh a t i s the c a u se o f my deci si o n t o buy a

a n d ch oi ce
m otor ca r a n d go t o S witzerl a n d ? Yo u ta b ul a te
.

c on di ti on s a ga i n ta lk of m o tive s
, ch a r ,
”

a cter ,
a n d so o n But the se co n di ti on s pre se n t
.
,

i n a c o n text of i n terpe n etr a tive p sychic a l eleme n t s ,

do n ot pro vide the a n swer I a m g o i n g a t the ur ge

.

o f im a gi n a ti o n th a t h a s m a de for me a n ew idea l life

o u t o f give n p s yc hi c a l s tu ff It i s thi s tra n sforma .

ti on which o ccupyi n g the fo cu s of a tte n ti on m a ster s

, ,

me a n d i n Virtue of i ts compelli n g i n tere st com

, ,

m a n d s a cti on .

Wha t i s the c a use o f soci a li sm A Ma rxi a n

fi n ds the pu sh i n a di a lectic a l pro ce ss but we sa w i n , ,

the c o ur se o f o ur ex a mi n a ti o n of Hegelia ni sm th a t ,

thi s expl a n a tio n will n o t s uffice There i s a r ep e .

ti ti on but on a much hi gher level of wlw

,
l t occur s i n a ,

chemi ca l cha n ge Mill woul d ta bul a te c on diti on s

.

“ ”
the l a ws of mi n d the de sire s p a i n s etc of the
, , , .
,

m a s se s eco n o mi c fa ctor s a n d so fo rth But n ot

, , .

o n e o f the se c on diti on s ( n or a ll c ollectively ) c on

t a i n s th a t so luti o n o f the pro blem which the

s o ci a li st h old s so de a r Th a t s oluti o n . is a n
im a gi n a l cre a ti on : a n impro ved wa y of livi n g i n
ve n ted on the prompti n g o f the eco n omic imp a sse .

It bri n g s h a rm on y i n to the c on fli ct of i n terpen etra

tive p sychic a l eleme n ts which hold a tte n ti on a n d ,

i n vi rtue o f its c o mpelli n g i n tere st c o mm a n ds a cti on , .

A s oluti o n of thi s ki n d c on ta i ns previously

 CA US ATION
c on flicti n g eleme n ts ch a n ged an d s uspen ded ha r
moni ou sly withi n it self .

In the se abrup t im a gi n a l a pp a ritio n s we ha ve dis Th w ll p i e e s r ng

“
crete step s of c ha n ge wh i c h i n the sphere of hum a n $3522
“
,
”
,
“
th ought e n ge n der a ll the so c a ll ed
,
i n tellectua l
-

—
force s of progre ss ec on omic soci a l a n d p o litic a l
, , .

Th e ide a l s which m o ve m a n ki n d do n ot grow ou t of

pri or d a ta pre sen t t o experie n ce they a r e n ot
re sul ts of a developme n t with i n fin i tely gr a ded
tra n siti o n s they a r e n oveltie s whi ch tra ns form
situ a ti on s They pre supp ose certa i n a n tecede n t s
.

witho ut bei n g expl a i n ed ful ly by them All a re .

experime n ta l a n d very ma n y close i n fa ilure

, .

The t ge s or
s a m ome n t s of huma n pr ogress
culmi n a te i n e ffete c on diti on s o f li vi n g ; a n imp a sse
whi ch i s relieved a t l a st by the im a gi n a l c o n struct .

Th a t i s the pri n ciple o f m o veme n t i n hi st ory for Th t , e rue

which di a lectic u sed t o sta n d wro n gly O bserve 33322122;

1
.

tha t i n c a ses i n which the imp a sse i s n ot grievo u sly

,

felt o r i n whi ch the im a gi n a l c o n struct evoked i s

p oor sta g n a ti on o r wor se e n sue s a n d n ot pro gres s
, , .

“
A di a lectic a l m o veme n t s eem s str a n gely a b s e n t

from Chi n a a sleep thro ugh the ce n turie s

, Th e .

truth o f c o ur se i s th a t there i s n o u ni versa l com

, ,

pul si on th a t e n force s progre ss Im a gi ni n g a g a i n.

, ,

mu st be p a ssi o n a te a s well a s a ble or the i n erti a o f ,

hum a n h a bit will defy a ssa ult Th e fut ur e i s

.

’
n othi n g but the re a li sed ide a l o f the peo ple
‘

,
”

write s Ca rlyle ; a n d thi s ide a l which ma y be ,

fur ni shed by a si n gle reformer a s so ofte n i n hi story

, ,

i s ju st im a gi n a l cre a ti on But the ide a l mu st fir e

.

tho se who a r e t o reima gi n e it in their turn Thi s i s .

wha t Di sra eli sa w whe n he wrote i n Con i ngsby

 THE WORLD AS IM AG INATION
It wa s n ot rea so n tha t be sieged Troy ; it wa s n ot
re a son th a t s en t fo rth the S a ra ce n from the de se rt
t o c on quer the world th a t i n spired the Cru sa de s
, ,

th a t i n stituted the m o n a stic o rder s it wa s n ot ,

re a so n th a t pr o duced the Je s uit s a b ove a ll it wa s ,

n o t re a so n th a t cre a ted the Fre n ch Revo luti o n .

Ma n i s onl y truly grea t whe n he a ct s fro m the

p a ssi on s n ever irre si stible but whe n he a ppe a l s to
In so ber truth
”
the im a gi n a ti o n . Re a so n is
n ot a gl a ci a l imper son a l a ge n cy It i s a n a me for .

cert a i n pro ce sse s ra ti o ci n a tive a n d i n ductive which

, ,

c o n duce t o the success of men thi n ki n g i n certa i n

i nterests to wa rd certa i n ide a ls i n va ri a bly c olo ured
, ,

by em otio n whether they a r e wha t we c a ll theo

,

r et i c a l ide a l s or n ot Th e p oi n t t o rem a rk i s th a t
.

”
there i s n o gre a t work the oretic a l or
, pra o
tic a l to be c a rri ed thro ugh witho ut fire An d thi s
,
.

truth ho lds g oo d mo st o bvi o usly i n the dom a i n of

politic a l a n d s oci a l progre ss .

Th e e n viron me n t however mu st n ot be t oo u n
, ,

ki n dly ; even if Eski m o im a gi n ed well their sur ,

ro u n di n g s to o irre sp ons ive to a cti on wo uld for bid

, ,

pr ogre ss There i s n o m a gic i n a mere s truggle for

.

exi ste n ce o ur surro u n di n g s which m a y overwhelm , ,

mu st c on spire t o a i d u s La stly the physic a l b a si s

, .
,

o f a c o mmu ity n — i ts b o dies — mu st be such a s

t o supp o rt a s trivi n g for betterme n t Men s ima gi n .
’

i n g s a r e weighted by their o rga n i sm s by the ha bit s ,

o f the le sser p syc hi c a l exi ste n t s o r mi no r s en tie n ts

which a re a ctive i n the se org a n i sm s a n d ha ve their
o wn o b sti n a te wa ys o f livi n g th a t ma y c o n flict

with o ur pro jects o f reform The s e ha bits ha ve .

“
b e e n di scu ssed wr on gly a s a mytho logic a l i n ert
m a tter whi ch ha mpers s pirit i n re a li ty they
 THE W ORLD AS IM AG IN ATION
on the o ther ha n d there a re c a u sa l sequen ce s wherei n
,

c on serva ti o n a n d n ot merely i n the sphere o f

,

s urf a ce phe n o me n a
-
cle a rly preva il s Thus c a u se s
,
.
,

a s Mill p o i n t s o u t very o fte n resemble their e ff e c ts

,
.

N ot t o me n ti on f orm s a ctu a lly m oul ded o n o n e

a n o ther,
a s impre ssi o n s o n wa x a n d the like in ,

which the cl ose st re sembla n ce betwee n the effect

a n d the c a u s e i s the Very la w o f the phe n o me n o n

a ll m o ti o n te n d s t o c o n ti n ue it s elf with i t s o wn ,

velo city a n d i n i t s o wn o rigi n a l di recti on a n d the

m oti o n o f o n e bo dy te n ds t o set o thers i n m o ti on ,

which i s i n deed the m ost c o mm o n o f the m o de s i n

which the m oti o n s o f b o die s o rigi n a te We n eed .

s c a rcely refer t o c o n t a gi o n ferme n ta ti o n a n d the

, ,

like or t o the pro ducti on o f effect s by the gr o wth

o r exp a n si o n o f a germ o r rudime n t re sembli n g o n a

s m a ll e r s c a le the c o mpleted phe n o me n o n a s i n the

gro wth o f a pl a n t or a ni m a l fr o m the embryo itself ,

derivi n g i t s origi n fro m a n o ther pl a n t or a nim a l o f the

s a me ki n d . Ag a i n the th ought s o r remi ni sce n ce s
,

which a r e effects o f o ur p a st sens a ti on s re semble

th ose se n sa ti o n s ; feeli n g s pro duce s imila r feeli n g s
by the wa y o f symp a thy a ct s produce s imila r a cts
Ag a i n if
”
by i n vo lun ta ry o r volun t a ry imit a ti o n .
,

o ur a dvo c a cy o f the im a gi n a l hyp o the si s o f c a u sa

ti o n c o n vi n ce s the re a der the c a se i s o n e i n which

,

a belief pr o duce s o r r a ther help s t o pro duce a

, ,

belief li ke i tself On e sort o f im a gi n i n g di rected

.
,

t o wa rd truth i s repea ted i n t h e im a gi ni n g o f o ther

,

per so n s ; the tr a n s form a ti o n a l so implied i s su b

o r di n a te t o thi s ce n tr a l fa ct S i mi l a rly whe n a
.
,

mi ssi o n a ry c o n vert s a Fijia n he tra n sfo rm s so me

o f the l a tter s beli e f s but the re s ult i s t o m a ke them
’

like h i s o wn Ca u sa ti o n i n s uch c a se s is do mi na n tly

.

c o n s erva tive .
 CA U S ATION
Co nserva ti on a n d cre a ti o n o bta i n thu s tog e th e r ,

the o n e domi n a ti n g he r e 1the o ther there

,
If .

n o w we revert t o Mill s views o n c a u s a ti o n we fin d

’
,

tha t o ur meta physic s h a s ful l roo m for th a t be

ha vi o ur o f a ge n ts t o wh ich he a ll ude s whe n di scu ssi n g
the c o mp o siti on o f la ws ,
hetero p a thic la ws
”
,

a n d the c o mp o un di n g o f the effect s o f the s e .

Thi s beh a vi o ur of a ge n t s di spl a ys a like c ons erva tive Th C I i e . .

,
n

f
{§ d
O
fea tur e s a n d cre a tive n o velty b oth bei n g m a n n ers
,

m m y
Ag a i n t h e b t l d
P es s’ a
i n whi ch im a gi n a l c o n te n t s a ppe a r .
, e s e
y
m a rvell o us crea tive i ni ti a tive which g a ve ri se t o V i h t h s n u. e

p d r eser v er , an

the hetero p a thic l a ws of chemi stry a n d bi ol ogy S h i t h va, e

ha rdens i n to t h e un iformitie s of beha vi o ur o f thi n g s 32222335} i

“ 9
chemic a l a n d bi ologic a n d a fford s thu s a secure
,
"

b a si s for further crea tive impro vi sa ti o n s a t n eed .

Mere p sychic a l sta bility or h a bit i s impote n t t o

cr ea te ; a n d mer e cre a ti o n which di sc a rds the old
,

a n d efferve s ce s futilely i n t o the n e w i s imp o te n t

,

to fix . Th e o n e sort o f im a gi n a l m a ni fe st a ti on i s
va lueless a p a rt fro m the o ther A t wo s ided
.
-

ima gi n a l a ctivity Vi sh n u the pre serve r a n d S hiva

—
the destro yer a n d re n ewer a s it were i n o n e i s
,
— ,

required Th e story o f a n i n dividua l o f a n a ti o n

.
, ,

o f a r a ce o f a pl a n e t o f a sol a r s ys tem o f a W o rld

, , ,

System exemplifie s a t len gth ho w the se t wo side s

,

o f c o n s erva tive a n d cre a tive ima gi n a l a ctivity s ta n d

to o n e a n o ther . There a r e i n deed i n defini te ly

, ,

n umer o u s i n st an c e s i n which the t wo sided a ctivity -

c a n be studi e d a t o u r lei s ure .

Certa i n st a ble mo de s o f a cti o n in Na ture a re

o fte n di s cu ss e d a s i they were
f
”
mech a n ic a l But .

i n a ll qu a rter s o f re a lity a like a ctivity wheth e r c o n

,

se r v a t i v e o r crea tive
, i s p syc hi c a l a ki n i n deed t o
, , ,

t h e t wo side s o f im a gi n a ti o n which we k n o w i n o ur
 THE WORLD AS IMAG INATION
selves the merely repro ductive
,
a nd the pro ductive
or c o n structive .

C on se rv ativ e On the l o wer level s o f c a u sa ti o n s uch a s a r e ,

21
°
de scribed i n s t a teme n t s a b o ut the tra ns fer
e n ce o f m oti on we to uch depth s i n which a t fir st
, ,

s ight m e ch a n i stic expl a n a ti o n s w o rk well

,
But we .

s a w th a t a t s ec o n d s ight
, s uch expl a n a ti o n s a r e
,

i n tolera ble for clea r thi n ki n g Al l mech a n i stic ex .

pl a n a ti on s a re b ou n d t o fa il Yo u c a nn ot re st i n
.

a b s tr a ct de s cripti on s o f thi n g s a s perceived fr o m

the o ut side Th e surfa ce phe n o me n a a r e like a

.
-

cru st which c o n ce a l s the turm o il i n the hea rt o f a

volc a n o Thu s a sc a tteri n g of billi a rd b a ll s ma y be
.

de scribed for cert a i n purp os es very c on ve n ie n tly

, ,

i n term s o f mech a ni c s It ma y n ot be n ee df ul to
.

lo ok further i n View o f the pro blem i n h a n d But .

i n view o f o u r pro blem the ultim a te ch a r a cter o f

,

re a lity it i s e sse n ti a l t o l oo k further a n d deeper

,
.

Me ta physic s h a s t o expla i n the a ctua l m o vemen ts

by getti n g bel o w the surfa ce phe n o me n a i n to the -

i n tera cti o n s o f the mi n o r se n tie n t a ge n ts o r so cietie s

Hb a it on th e o f p sychic a l exi ste n t s implied Am o n g the se mi n o r
.

f
O
s e n tie n ts o bta i n the conserva ti ve ha bi ts a n d the
212 1111 2
cr ea ti ve p oss i bi li ti es which we h a ve ju s t di s cu ssed .

But o n the se l ower level s o f c a u sa ti o n the h a bitua l

a cti o n s a r e i n defi ni tely s impler a n d much m o re ,

sl o wly a ltered th a n o n t h e level which i s o ccupied

,

by sen tien t s s uch a s o ur selve s Eve n o n the level o f .

a m oebic o r me du si c life h a bit m a y be c o n sidered a s a

p
pro xim a tely fixed o n level s t o whi ch we a pply t he ,
“ “
s ymb o l o gy o f su b a t o m s
” ” ”
a tom s , m olec ul e s
-
, ,

m olec ul e a ggreg a te s a n d the like h a bit s ( if the

-
,

s e n tie n t s s ymb oli sed a re reg a rded i n the m a ss ) a re

so c o n st a n t a n d depe n d a ble a s t o a ll o w u s t o i n ve n t
 THE W OR L D AS IM A GINATION
time succe ssi on
- is re a l th a t the p a st i s m a de rea lity
, ,

a n d t h e future a n a me for re a lity which i s yet t o

be m a de .

On thi s supp o siti on ho wever we sh a ll be un a ble

, ,

t o reg a rd a ll a n tecede n t re a lity a s on a n equ a lity

i n the m a tter o f c o n diti o n i n g a n eve n t In a .

m a n n er of c o urs e a n ythi n g tha t ha ppe ns impli e s

, ,

a n tecede n t c o n di ti o n s which pre s upp o s e the e n tire

World S ystem
-
It i s a n i n cide n t i n a devel o pi n g
.

Wo rld S ystem o f more or less i n terc o nn ected thi n g s ;

-

on e S y stem pr o b a bly a m o n g i n defi n itely n umero u s

o ther S ystem s a s yet u n reve a led t o u s But thi s .

m o re o r le ss mu st give u s Very seri o u s p a u se .

Th e Wo rld S ystem di s pl a ys c on ti n ui ty ; a c o n ti n uity

-
,

n everthele s s which i s c o mp a tible a s we s a w with

, , ,

Th e epic c on t a i n s i nn umer a bl e li n e s
”
l oo se n e ss .
,

but thi s o r th a t li n e fo u n d i n it s eem s mor e or less

i n depe n de n t o f i t s c o n text c a n be stu died o fte n by ,

it self a n d i s rel a ted with very va ryi n g degree s o f i n

,

t i m a c y t o li n e s i n the re st o f the p o em Thu s though .

,

a ll the li n e s c o n s pire t o the me a n i ng o f the wh ol e ,

they a r e by n o me a n s c o mpletely do mi n a ted by the

wh ole An d they do n ot m elt i n to o n e a n o ther so a s
.

t o c o n stitute a n i n terp e n e tr a ti o n o f a ll by a ll
”
in
a n i mpa rti a l wa y Thi s li n e which c o n n ect s with
.
,

a n d e n ter s i n t o th a t very i n tim a tely ma y be a ll

,

but un a ffected by o ther s Ea ch i s pe n etra te d by .

much else o f the epic i n a very i n tim a te wa y ; by

much el s e a g a i n very slightly i n deed Withi n the
, , .

c o n ti n uity o f a Wo rld S ystem there o bt a i n degree s

-

o f di s j un cti o n a n d c o n ju n cti o n Notice the cha r .

a cter o f yo ur o wn experime n ta l im a gi ni n g a n d ,

y o u will fi n d th a t t h i s c o mp a tibility o f c o n ti n ui ty

a nd l oo sen e ss le a p s to the eye The p seudo .

 CAU ATIO S N

la w c on tra dicti o n n eed n o t di sm a y you It

of .

i s irreleva n t here t o mumble the t a utolo gy th a t

c on tra rie s a re c on tra rie s For experie n ce s ho w s
.

tha t c on tra riety i n the c a se u n der s urvey i s

n ot a fa ct Re a lity i n the time pro ce ss we a rs
.
-

the se di ffere n t fe a ture s o f c on ti nui ty a n d lo ose

n e ss a n d n o opti o n i s left t o yo u but to a ccept

i t s ruli n g .

No give c on ten t of a Wo rld S ystem i s i n va ded by N gi

n
t f
- o v en

a ll the o ther c o n te n t s o f the S y stem

t con e n o a
Co n sider the W ld Sy t m . or - s e

fo cus of p sychic a l re a lity symb oli sed by the c on c e pt flfifififlg f

ifi
t
a tom . An a t o m i s sa id to be a ffected by every zfi gggg e
—
,

o ther a t o m a t a n y di st a n ce so fa r a s ou r World

S yste m i s c on cern ed But the ma n n er a nd degr ee

.
,

i n which it i s a ffected va ry a sto ni shi n gly with the

,

di sta n ce Co n sider a ga i n my lighti n g of a pipe

.
, , .

There a re su n s pot s i n turm o il va pour eddie s i n ,

Jupiter r a pids i n Colora do pi a n o tun i n g i n Fr a n ce

, ,
-
,

wa r d a n ce s i n Ce n tra l Afric a h a ir curli n g i n Ho n o

-
,
-

lulu l a n d slip s i n Ma rs to otha che s i n It a ly a mon g

, , ,

the a n teceden t c o n diti o n s o f the pipe lighti n g -

,

if yo u i n si st o n imp o rti n g a whole pri o r World

S yste m i n to your expla n a ti on But even if I .

a dmit th a t a ll the s e c o n diti on s a r e more or less

c o n flu en t i n the World S yste m t o which the pipe -

lighti n g bel o n g s I a m n ot justifie d i n sa yi n g tha t

,

they a r e o n a n equa lity i n the ma tter of c on diti o n

i n g the pipe lighti n g -
Th e a ssembla ge o f
. c on

dit i o n s which b a ck my a ctivity with the lighted

m a tch the ch a ra cter of t o b a cc o the a tmosphere etc
, , ,
.
,

i s prep o n dera n t Simila rly if I a m a cc oun ti n g for

.
,

the murder o f Ca e sa r I do n ot wa n t t o c a ll i n the e n

,
“
tire pri or c o smi c system oi c o n diti o n s a s if a ll the se ,
”

we re o n a n equa l foo ti n g i n medi a ti n g the even t .

”
 THE W ORLD AS IM A GINATION
Acorn s fa lli n g i n the forests of Germ a n y a n d men
s n eezi n g a m o n g the Eskim o seem o f slight m o me n t

beside the fa ct th a t Brutus killed Ca e sa r An d .

Brutu s killed Ca e sa r prim a rily bec a u se a n i ma gi na l

cr ea ti on ( or th o ught o f wh a t the S t a te wo ul d be

like without Ca e sa r ) occupied the fo cu s o f hi s a tte n

ti o n a n d c o mpelled a cti on Thi s i s the ce n tra l
.

fa ct to which
,
c on di tio n s a r e a n cill a ry and ,

a llowa n ce mu st be m a de for it i n a n y ki n d of
expla na tio n pro ffered .

If our hypothe sis i s t o be a n a de qu a te wa y of

a cc o u n ti n g for wh a t begi n s or h a ppe n s o f expl a i n ,

i n g the riddle of more or le ss o rderly ch a n ge we ,

s h a ll h a ve t o give so me a cc o u n t o f the o rigi n o f

ch a n ge or s ucce s si on i n time i n so fa r a s the birth

,

o f o ur o wn World S ys tem i s c o n cer n ed

-
Let us then .
, ,

defer the fin a l tre a tmen t of c a u sa ti on un til we h a ve

dea lt with the origi n of ch a n ge a t the o ut set o f o ur
a cc o u n t o f the evoluti o n o f Na tur e Thi s tre a t .

men t will i n clude of cour se a ll th a t we ha ve s a id

, ,

heretofore reg a rdi n g the im a gi n a l dyn a mic c on ,

se r v a t i v e a n d cre a tive But it will i n clude further

.

imp orta n t c o ns idera ti on s a s to the dyna mi c it self ; .

a n d it will sh o w m o re preci sely how the loose

n e ss ,
”
which i s o f such Vita l imp o rt t o the time
pr o ce ss c a me to exi st
,
Were there n ot more or
.

le ss i n depen den t a gen ts or thi n g s a n d system s

of t hi n g s ( which m a i n t a i n them s elve s con tra

mu ndum a n d betwee n whi ch while they l a st there , ,

a r e i n ter a cti o n s ),
the c a se for the time h on o ured -

belief i n c a usa ti on woul d fa ll to the gro u n d .

rem a i n s to a dd so me rem a rks

It as to the wa y in
”
which we a r e to reg a rd cha n ce .
 THE WORL D AS IM AG IN ATION
foreig n to a world sa id to be the m a nife sta ti on o f a
s a n e g o d o r Ab so lute An d there i s a stron g i n duce
.

me n t a cc o rdi n gly fo r men t o set a side a regio n for

, ,

cha n ce i n the h o pe o f sa vi n g so meho w the ch a r

a cter of the go d or Ab solute impe a ched Th e .

trouble is t o di sc o ver i n wh a t wa y thi s co n ven ie n t

cha n ce i s to be un dersto o d .

Wh a t do men me a n ordi n a rily when they u se the

word ch a n ce t o l a bel a h a ppeni n g ? They m a y
me a n ( 1) tha t the h a ppe ni n g h a s n o gro un d o f which
they a r e a wa re fla shi n g i n to thei r experie n ce a n d
, ,

defe a ti n g perha p s so me pl a n u n expecte dly But

, , , .

i n thi s c a se the so c a lled ch a n ce h a ppe ni n g i s r e

- -

g a rded ordi n a rily a s h a vi n g a gro u n d which they ,

a r e u n a ble t o fin d They m a y me a n
. a s i n the

c a se s of the ch a n ce h a ppen i n g s o f ro ul e tte or peti ts

-

cheva u x ,
th a t they kn o w somethi n g o f the gro u n d
o f the h a ppe n i n g s e n o ugh perh a p s t o e n a ble them
,

t o li st the n umber o f p ossible h a pp e n i n g s but n o t ,

e no ugh t o e n a ble them t o predict on e h a ppe n i n g

i n p a rticul a r Ch a n ce decide s i n wh a t pl a ce the
.

b a ll st o p s or wh a t h orse c o mes to re st n e a re st the

wi n ni n g p os t Thi s View a l so do e s n ot d e n y th a t a
-
.

s trict c a u sa ti o n m a y o bt a i n o ut side the p a le o f their

,

kn o wledge ( 3 ) th a t h a ppe n i n g s ma y o ccur witho ut

a n y gr o u n d wh a tever fla shi n g i n to bei n g witho ut
,

implyi n g c o n di ti o n s i n a n y o ther a spects o f the Un i

ver s e Ab solute ch a n ce o f thi s type seem s b a rred
.

— every a ppe a r a n ce withi n a n im a gi n a l Universe

tra n sfor ms so methi n g el s e o r a t le a st i s a dded t o the , ,

re s t of a ppe a r a n ce s by a n i ma gIn a l a ctivity which pre

exi sted t o it But there i s n everthele s s a n eleme n t
.
, ,

o f truth i n the hyp othe si s o f a bsolute o r pure

ch a n ce of which we sh a ll ha ve to t a ke a ccou n t .
 C HAN CE
( )
4 Heg el s View of the c o n ti n gen t
’
wh a t ma y H g l e e on
b e e n ee ‘
o r m a y n o t be wh a t ma y be i n o n e wa y o r i n a n o ther
, ,

whose bei n g o r n ot bei n g who se bei n g i n thi s wi se

-
,

o r o ther wi s e dep e n d s n o t upo n it self but o n s o me

, ,

thi n g el se i s n ot to be whittled do wn to No .

for he i n si st s th a t the c on ti n ge n t do e s n o t bel o n g

t o our s ubjective c o n cepti o n a l on e— cha n ce
ra n ge s u n checked o n the s urfa ce o f Na ture a n d
i s pre se n t a l so th o ugh a s a va n i shi n g a n d a bro
,

ga ted eleme n t i n the sphere o f c o n sci o u s e xperi

,
”

’
e n ce a s o ptio n or free cho ice Bergso n s cha n ce Be g .
r son .

ta ke s a cc oun t of crea tive n o velty Cha n ce merely .

o bj e c t i fie s the s t a te o f mi n d o f o n e wh o expe cti n g ,

o n e o f the t wo ki n d s o f o rder ! the Vita l a n d the

‘
i n ert or a uto m a tic ! fi n ds him self c onfron ted ,

with a n o th e r 1
Note in this rega rd tha t Hegel s
.
” ’

c on ti n ge n cy i s n ot the a b solute ch a n ce o f No .

It i s a fo rm of t h e I D EA which like the other form s ,

di scu ssed a b stra ctly i n the Logi c ha s it s a pplic a ,

“
ti o n a n d due o ffice i n the world o f o bjects 2
.
”

Na ture e g is i n pa rt the thought determi n a ti on or

, . .
,
-

c a tegory of c on ti n gen cy extern a li sed It i s i n S itua .

ti o n s o f fa ct a s thu s sta tuted or decreed tha t we

n o tice the ri o t o f ch a n ce Cha n ce i s o bjective In . .

thi s se n se o f the term a b a by i s a cha n ce ha ppe ni n g -

,

i n tha t i t s bei n g a n d i t s bei n g i n thi s wa y a n d n o

o ther a r e thru st up o n it by s omet hi n g e l se — Na ture ,

a n d i t s p a re n t s An d i n thi s so methi n g el se
”
.
,

a g a i n he fin d s ch a n ce
,
In a ll qua rter s thi n g s which
.

a r e a n d a r e s uch a n d s uch i n virtue o f o ther s c o n

, , ,

s pire t o a welter o f c o n ti n ge n cy .

Reverti n g to the im a gi na l hyp othesi s we ,

a re a ble
1
Cr ea ti ve Evolu ti on , En g t a n s . r .
, p . 24 7 .

2
Cf . W
alla ce , Logi c o Hegel,
f Doc trin e of Essen ce , p . 2 28 .
 THE W OR L D AS IM A GINATION
to st a te our o wn po sitio n thus There a r e ch a n ce .

h a ppe n i n g s i n depe n den t o f o ur expecta ti o n s or

”
s ubjective c o n cepti o n a s Hegel put s it Cha n ce
, .

“ ”
is n o a ge n t o f c o u r se i n a p o sitive s e n se
, No r , .
,

a ga in i s there a n a b so lute ch a n ce
, me a n i n g ,

th a t ha ppe ni n g s occur witho ut a n y gro un d wha t

ever Ch a n ce refer s u s to tha t freedo m which i s
.

n a tive t o o u r o wn im a gi ni n g a n d t o im a gi n a l p o wer s

w hi ch c on serve but a l so cre a te i n the time pro ce ss

, ,
-

a t l a rge It pre supp o se s a gen ts but a gen ts which

.
,

ca n cre a te freely .

If I co ul d ta ke the pla ce o f the C I a n d become . .

a wa re of thi s p a rt icul a r W o rld — System of o urs a s a

1

whole I shoul d e n j o y a pro ce ss con ti n uou s i n tha t

,

( )
a it lie s withi n c o n s ci o u s gr a s p a n d B
( ) h a s

eleme n t s which sho w i n terpe n e tra ti on of e a ch by

”
much el se but di scr ete i n th a t it ch a n ge s by step s
, ,

o r p ul se s ju s t a s my devel o pi n g p o em o r r o m a n ce
,

ch a n ge s by a brupt i n cremen t s a n d n ot by i nfi nitely ,

gra ded tra ns iti ons All the sta ble a spect s of thi s .

c osmic p o em a r e the C I a s c on serva tive eve n a mid . .

,

ch a n ge ; a ll the n o vel a spect s a r e the C I a s cre a . .

tive Vi sh n u a n d S hiva i n o n e No w a ny im a gi n a l
n o velty from a fre sh step of c osmic imp ort a n ce
,

do wn t o o n e of o ur humble hum a n n o ve ltie s e g a n ,

. .

a r t cre a ti o n o r choice be a r s i t s m a rk which i s thi s

-
, ,

i t h a s o n the o n e h a n d
”
-
, p r i o r con di ti on s but , ,

it self o n the o ther h a n d h a s c o me fr o m n othi n g

, ,
.

For the di sti n ctive ch a r a cter o f n o velty i s th a t i n ,

the re spect s i n which it i s n o vel i t ha s n o forer u n n er ,

.

It i s thu s a flo uti n g o f mere sa me n e ss a n d mere

depen de n ce o n the pre exi sti n g we a lth o f t h e Uni -

ver se i s a pro duct wh ich a tte st s free or sp o n t a n e o u s

cre a ti on Thi s i s the sp on t a n eity which ha s c a rried
.
 3 82 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION

pen de n t a n a rchic power s a n d i n cludi n g i n evita ble

i s to i mpr ovi se succe ssive
”
s urpri se s , s oluti o n s

whi ch tur n p a ssi n g situa ti o ns t o the be st a cc o un t .

An d t hi s pr o ce ss with i t s u ns ta ble re sul ti n g h a r

m onie s o vert di sc ord s a n d further u n sta ble
, ,

h a rm on ie s i s o n e lo n g a ppe a l t o the im a gi n a l
s p o n ta n eity w hi ch o rigi n a te s a n d p o ur s fo rth the

ne w .

Thu s i n pro ducti o n o f n ovelty o n the co s mic sc a le

the a n tecede n t circum st a n ce s or c on diti on s ,

which bulk so l a rgely i n c a u sa ti on c o n tro versie s ,

a r e o cc a si o n s fo r cre a ti o n a d h oc ; j us t a s the a n te

c e den t circ um sta n ce s i n the c a se s of S helley o r

Tur n er or S ha ke spe a re o r P hi di a s a re o cc a si ons fo r
thei r cre a tive wo rk S uch n ovelty does n ot emerge
.

fro m its c on di ti o n s If i n deed it i s i n the c o n

.
, ,

di t io n s a lre a dy it i s n ot n o vel
,
a n d if it i s n o t i n

the c on di ti on s it i s n ot deriva ble or deducible

,

therefro m .

Ari st o tle c a lled i n s p on ta n eity a n d ch a n ce in View

S
fi jt
fi fig
q g
o f phe n o me na w hi ch did n o t s eem t o him t o di s pl a y

regul a r l a ws There i s n o evide n ce for the belief

.

i n a b solutely rigid c a us a l l a ws But if we a re t o

.

re c og n i se a ppro xim a tely rigid l a ws i n ma n y regi o n s

o f ph e n o me n a we c a n reg a rd im a gi n a l sp on ta n eity
,

as their o rigi n a l s ource ; o n ce n o vel m o de s o f

beha vi o ur h a vi n g bec ome st a ble o r h a bitua l .

La ws a re rela tively sta ble a spects of tha t whi ch

a lter s a ll i t s m o de s i n their tur n .

Sp t eity bridl ed by tha t c o ns erva tive o r

on a n ,

s t a ble beh a vi o ur o f which we h a ve s p o ke n

,
ma rks ,

crea tive evo luti o n o n the cos mi c s c a le .

 CHAN CE 3 83

Sp t
on a n m a ni fes t i n i n tera cti ng p a rtic ul a r
eity as

thi n g s e g a m on g the n a ture m o de s i n their

, . .
-

“
l oose m ul tiplicity provide s the field o f true,

o bjective ch a n ce o r r a ther o f ch a n ce h a ppe ni n g s

-
.
,

We a re n ot c o nf ron ti n g a u ni ta ry Wo rld S ystem -

which develo p s with u n broken sm o oth n e ss We .

”
ha ve to a llo w for the qua si i n depe n de n t thi n g s -
,

m a skin g s e n tien t live s which ha ve a ri se n withi n,

it All the s e thi n g s a re cre a tive t oo they a r e

.
—
mo de s o f im a gi ni n g ; they c on ti n ue the cha ra cter
of the ir s our ce a n d they a r e ma n y An d i n di ffere n t .

t o a n d u n c on sci o u s of the World S y stem a s a wh o le

, ,
-
,

they cre a te a n d exp a n d very l a rgely a t cross

p ur po se s Am o n g the cha n ce ha ppe ni n g s th a t c ome
.
-

t o p a s s a b o mi n a ti o n s s uch a s perplex the o ld

, ,

f a shi on ed thei st se e the light ,

Ima gi n a ti o n we .
,

ma y sa y ru n s a m ok very freely i n the depth s

,
1
.

There vel h a ppe ni n g s the n the bei n g a n d I o w y i

a re n o , ,
. ne a n
l
the ch a r a cter o f which a re n ot a ltogether di cta ted fii gil fige
‘ ’ ‘e
i s

q " s e u e n ce
by their a n tecede n t s ; h a ppe ni n g s which a ppea r
withi n the stre a m o f tim e m ore o r le ss a bruptly .

An d the se h a ppe ni n g s n ot educible o u t o f their ,

a n t e cede n t c o n di ti o n s i nf ect a ll o ther rel a ted

,
”

phe n ome n a with cha n ce a n d a re further i n fected ,

by the ch a n ce a spect s o f the se o thers a s well .

Cha n ce i s b o rn whe n sp o n ta n eo u s cre a tive i ni ti a

tive s ho ws withi n the deta i l of the world order -
.

An d a right i n sti n ct o f m ost me n rec og n i se s th a t

so me u nf ore see a ble i niti a tive o f thi s ki n d do e s
o bt a i n in the re a lm s b oth of i n orga nic a nd

o rg a n ic life For t he mome n t we n e ed n o t e n te r

.

i n to a full c o nsidera ti o n o f s p o n ta n eity a s it S ho ws

i n o ur selve s .

1
Cf Pa t
. r III . Cha p . IX .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION
Hegel h a d i n mi n d whe n he di scu ssed c on ti n
,

gen cy thi n g s whi ch a re a n d a r e wha t they a re i n

,
”

Virtue o f o ther thi n g s which a g a i n a re a n d a re wha t

,

th e y a re i n virtue o f o thers a n d so o n But we a r e .

urgi n g n ot o nl y th a t A is c on ti n ge n t a s le a ni n g
,

o n B a n d B a s le a ni n g o n C bu t th a t A B a n d C
, , , ,

a ll c o mpri se h a ppe n i n g s whi ch do n ot pro ceed

wholly fro m pri or c on di ti on s bei n g of the n a ture ,
”

o f u nf ore see a ble gift s t o re a lity An d e a ch o n e o f .

the se gift s te n d s t o a lter everythi ng el s e Cha n ce

i s a fe a ture of im a gi n i n g i n cre a tive evolutio n .

But thi s i s n ot the o nl y wa y i n which ch a n ce

ma y i nf ect the det a il of the time order If time -
.

s ucce ssi o n i n o ur c or n er o f re a lity i s fin i te if it ,

bega n there wa s a n i n iti a l situ a ti on n ot medi a ted

,

by ch a n ge In thi s situ a ti on a ppe a r a va riety o f

.

( wh a t we m a y term pr o vi s io n a lly 1n l a n gu a ge ,

bo rro wed fro m Mill ) c o exi ste n ce s i ndependen t of

ca u sa ti on pri mitive a ge n t s whos e qua litie s a n d ,

qua n titie s a re pre suppo sed by the time pro ce ss -

.

Thu s c on templ a ti n g the s ol a r system a s it exi st s ,

n ow ,
I c a n ta b ul a te i t s pro xim a te c o n diti o n s a s
A B C
, ,
The n I c a n p a ss beyo n d the se ever
.

b a ckwa rd u n til I re a ch c o n ceptua lly the primitive

,

c o n di ti o n s o r a ge n t s X Y Z a t the d a w n o f
, ,

tim e sequen ce
-
The s e a ge n t s X Y Z
. th eir , ,

q ua litie s qua n tities a n d origi n a l rela ti on s must

, , ,

give us very s eri o u s p a u se .

Thu sthe determi n i st tell s u s a irily th a t c on di

“
ti on s A B C meet ,
i n the sol a r system ,

which re sul ts n ec es sa rily from them We h a ve .

n o ted fl a w s i n thi s c o n te n ti o n ; we a r e t o n ote ye t

a n o ther How is it th a t the c o n ditio n s meet i n

.
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
t a ti v e predictio n s ; which predicti o ns a re verified
bec a use certa i n mode s o f cha n gi n g i n Na ture a re
a ppr o xim a tely s ta ble Note h owever by the wa y
.
, , ,

th a t st a bility i n ch a n gi n g i s n ot secured by a rule

th a t the sa me c o n diti on s a r e follo wed reg ul a rly
by the sa me eve n ts There mu st be pro vi si on .

for the c on di ti on s c o n curri n g m ore th a n o n ce .

There i s required i n s h o rt a u ni formity o f eve n t s ”

, , ,

a s D r S chiller o b s erve s fa i li n g whi ch the rule tha t

1
,

the sa me c o n diti o n s i ssue i n the sa me eve n ts

wo ul d n ot re scue the wo rld fr o m ch a os or e n a ble u s
t o predict t o pr o fit Th e rel a tive ra te s o f ch a n ge
.

i n cre a tive ev oluti o n must be s uch th a t the sa me

c on di ti on s c a n c on cur reg ul a rly a n d st a bly here ,

while n ovel c on diti o n s a r e c o n curri n g there a fa r

re a chi n g c on serva ti sm bei n g a s e sse n ti a l to a c osmo s
a s it i s t o a p o litic a l st a te It i s i n thi s c o opera ti on
.
-

of the c on serva tive a n d the cre a tive th a t we ca n

detect o n e o f the m ost striki n g expre ssi o n s of the
purpo sive n e ss o f the world pro ce ss -
.

It i s poi n ted o u t by Mill tha t m ost phe n o

me n a a r e i n their o wn n a ture perm a n e n t ; h a vi n g
begu n t o exi s t they wo ul d exi st for ever u n le ss
,

so me c a u s e i n terve n ed h a vi n g a te n de n cy t o a lter

S uch for e xa mple a re a ll the

.

o r de s tr o y them .
, ,

fa ct s or phe n o me n a whi ch we c a ll b o die s

s uch ,
a ga i n
,
a re the p o siti o n s i n s p a ce a n d the

m ovemen t s o f b o die s No o bject a t re st a lter s i t s

.

p o siti on witho ut the i n terve n ti o n o f some c o n di

ti o n s extr a n e o u s t o it self a n d whe n on ce i n m o ti o n ,

n o o bject retur n s t o a s t a te o f re s t o r a lter s either ,

i t s directi o n or i t s vel o city u n le ss so me n e w e xtern a l

,

c o n di ti o n s a r e superi n duced It the refo re pe r .

, ,

1
Forma l Logi c, p . 3 00 .
 CONS ER ATION IN V CHAN E G
pe t u a lly ha ppe n s tha t a temp o ra ry c a use give s ri se
“
to a perm a n e n t e ffect
”
1
Th e
”
i n erti a i n Virtue
.
,

o f which a b o dy persi st s i n re st or m o veme n t ,

de scribe s a c on serva tive fe a ture o f re a lity but we

“
mu st a void i n te rpreti n g i n ert i a as sluggi s h

n e s s a n d rec a ll th a t n othi n g i s i n a cti v e a nd nothi n g i s

,

determi n ed solely from wi thou t Am o n g o btrusively .

s t a ble phe n o me n a the silic a te s o f the e a rth s cru s t

’

a di a m o n d or a piece o f pl a ti n um c o n tr a st m a rke dl y
, ,

with much of the flux so slo w a re their ra te s of ,

”

ch a n ge Why o ver a ccen t the tra n sit ori n e ss o f

.
-

phe no men a a n d o verlo ok the se rel a tive ly p e rm a n e n t

,

thi n g s o r e n dur i n g eve n t s For i n the s phere s o f

a stro n o my ge ol o gy bi olo gy a n d o ther s cie n ce s the
, , ,

thi n g tha t i s rel a tively perm a n en t pla ys i n fa ct a , ,

mo st imp ort a n t p a rt In p sych ol ogy a g a i n we .

, ,

a r e a pt to t a lk glibly o f the flux a n d to forget ”

the more sta ble c on te n t s over a g a i n st which the

fleeti n g o n es c o me a n d go like wi sp s o f clo ud ,

tra velli n g a cro ss a blue sky .

All phen omen a e n dure m ore o r le ss An d the .

mi nima l step s of ch a n ge by which they a lter a l so , ,

ha ve their dur a ti on but wi thou t i n terna l la p se In E h

, f . c oes o

these va n i shi n g mi ni m a l dur a ti o ns i s echo ed a s it fifigi gi

gggm ,

were tha t primeva l dura ti on wi thout i n ter n a l la p se

, , ,
“
o f which time s eque n ce i s a An d
”
-
c o rrupti o n .

a ll the st a ble a spect s o f c mplex phe me a a n d

o n o n —
more p a rticula rly the sta ble vi si o ns o f i n tellectua l
a chieveme n t o f a rt ,
a n d r eli gi o n — ,remi n d u s di s
t a n t ly o f th a t ch a n gele ss c o n serva tive life o f t h e
C I which i s wh a t me n o ught to mea n whe n they
. .

us e the word Eter nity But c on serva tive .

a ctivity a s it s h o ws i n a wo rld o f cha nce a nd cha n e

, g ,

1
Logi c, B k oo IV cha . p . xv . l .
 THE W OR L D AS IM A GINATION
p a rta kes of cour s e o f the imperfecti o n which m a rs
, ,

a ll el s e i n the time pro ce ss To o o fte n it st a n d s -

.

for the o b structive s tupid for mere per si ste n ce , ,

which di s da i n s a da pt a ti o n t o life Per si sten ce o f .

thi s ki n d either i n re st o r i n so me fixed di r e c

,

ti o n o f ch a n ge which n o i n ge n uity c a n l a bel r ea son

,
”
a ble i s illu str a ted i n tere sti n gly by phe n o me n a
,

s uch a s the ev o luti o n o f the a n tler s o f the Iri s h e lk

1
,

t h e o vergro wth ( which i s prep o stero u s a n d su b

c on s er v a t i on .
r a ti on a l ) o f the sexu a l i nsti n ct i n Ma n the obst i ,

n a te e n durin g o f so m a n y u sel es s o rg a n i s m s a n d ,

o f e ff ete a n d eve n n o xi o u s religi o n s p o litic a l creed s ,

“ ”
a n d belief s o f a ll sort s Th e re i s a n i n erti a ( so .

c a lled ) i n the do m a i n s o f bi olo gy a n d p sychol ogy

a s well a s i n th os e o f mete o r s ston es a n d st a rs ; , ,

a n d the a ctivity implied freque n tly d o e s n o t s u b

s erve purp o s e s u ffi c i e n t ly t o permit o f i t s bei n g

“
Th e s urviva l o f
”
c a lled ra ti o n a l .Form a l l ogic
t o da y s eem s a c a se o f s ubr a ti on a l c o n ti n u a n ce o f
-

thi s sort Thi s l o gic i s s trictly s pe a ki n g wha t

.
, ,

D r S chill er h a s c a lled it n o n sen se but it m a i n , ,

~

ta i n s pro fe ssors a n d recrui t s stude n t s i n Virtue ,

o f a pre stige da ti n g b a ck t o the t hi rd ce n t ur y B C . .

O utside the exa mi n a ti o n room or pro fessors lecture s -

’

n o o n e t a ke s thi s s cie n ce s eriou sly No o n e g a i n s .

1
In a le ctu r e on Recen t Dis cov eri es of Ea ly Ma n , r
D r
S mi th W dw rd b gi i g wi th
oo a , p e nn n w an ex la n a ti on of ha t is
k w
no n m m t m
as i o rg i d l p m t h w d
en u n o an c ev e o en , s o e

h w
o p rti l r tr t r m y k p gr wi g i th
on e a cu a s uc u e a ee on o n n e su c

i t t r
c ess v e s r uc u es o f p i til i t m a s h p w
ec e s , u n see s to a ve n o o er to
t p
s o m im
so i ly
et g w i
es en t r e
g i t f l ou t rod l di gn s use u n ess , a n even ea n

p r
,

A m w
”
t h
o t e i i f h
ext n ct on o t l i i ll
e ra ce. t t i t h
n exa e n us a on as e

m tr
on s g r wt h
ou s f t h o t l r f t h
o Ir i h lk
e an p i r f
e s o e s e , a a o

whi h h d b f d wi th p f tw l f t th t i t i f
c a ee n ou n a s an o e ve ee , so a s or

us lm t i mp
a os i bl t i
o ss h w th e r t r ld rry
o con ce v e o e c ea u e c ou ca

the m
”
.
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
to emb o dy them selves so meh o w i n p a rtic ul a r s .

Al l thi s ki n d o f t a lki n g i s myth o l o gic a l mystici s m

o f the b a s er sort S a y r a th e r with F C S S c hi ll er
. . . .

tha t o bjectively reg a rd e d t h e l a ws of N a ture

,

a re s imply t h e Ha bi ts of N a tu re a n d it i s t h e ,

rule o f H a bit th a t m a ke s the whole world ki n .

Hb
a i ts It i s thus bec a u se thi n g s h a ve h a bit s tha t we
”
1
c a n u n der s t a n d them a n d expl o it them It i s o n .

thi s b a si s o f h a bit tha t o ur la w fin di n g whether -

,

it a im s a t preci se qu a n tit a tive me a s uremen t s or

n o t mu s t re s t
,
There i s a c on s erva tive a s well a s
.
,

a cre a tive side t o the time pr o ce s s

, Wh a t a r e n ow
-
.

h a bit s were o n ce i n n o va ti o n s Th e y m a y n ot la st
.

i n defini tely Th e hi st o ry o f N a ture de a l s i n p a rt

.

with the theme o f c o s mic h a bit s it ca n o ffer u s n o

gua ra n te e th a t a n y o r a ll o f th e m will e n dur e for
ever An d if we a r e i n tere s ted i n a c on serva ti o n
.

o f va lu es it i s well i n deed th a t
”
, ,
l a ws un der s to o d
, ,

i n thi s wa y a r e n ot immun e fr o m the g n a wi n g o f

,

time Much very much of re a lity were be st

.
, ,

de stro yed .

A la w reg a rde d a s a u niversa l i s s upposed t o

be ide n tic a l i n a ll i t s i n sta n ce s a n d t o a ffirm a co n
n e xi o n o f a ttribute s which i s etern a l An d th e .

u n iver sa l s o f sci e n ce sti ll figur e pro mi n e n tly i n

m y text b ooks o f l ogic a n d phi lo so phy But
a n - .

”
u n iversa l s which re st o n o b served c o exi ste n c e s
,
-

a n d s eque n ce s mu st n ot be t a k en t oo s eri o u sly

,
.

Wha t i s the va lu e o f a n et ern a l c on n exi o n sa ve

as a gu a ra n te e o f p a rtic ul a r judgme n t s ( a pplic a
ti o n s ) a n d a guide t o the predi cti o n o f ha ppe n i n g s
Th e s cie n tific la w o r u ni ver sa l i s n o do ubt m o re
‘

va lua ble th a n a p a rticul a r o b se rva ti on bec a u se it

1
Forma l Logi c, p . 3 14 .
 THE LAW S OF N AT URE
ca n le a d t o a n i n defini te n umber o f such o b se rva
ti on s But for a ll th a t a ll scie n tific ge n era li sa ti on s
.

a r e c on struct e d o n a b a si s o f p a rticul a r o b serva

ti o n s a n d mu st ultim a tely s ho w them selve s releva n t

,

to the c o ur s e of e ve n t s If they fa il t o do thi s they .

be c o me un me a ni n g a n d soo n er o r la ter we b a lk , , ,

In a n im a gi n a l Uni verse
’
a t c a lli n g th e m tru e 1
.

i n which cha n ge i s re a l c onn e xi o n s o f a ttribute s ,

a re ,
perh a p s experim e n ta l ,
S uch fixity a s ma y .

o bt a i n illu stra t e s t h e c o n serva ti o n o f va lue s — of

c o mbi n a ti o n s s uch a s c on spire t o the perfecti n g o f

c o smic life Uni fo rmiti e s o f n o la sti n g worth ten d
.

t o di sa pp e a r .

ws the n o f thi s s ort a re true o r fa lse a s L w whi

L a , , a s ch

But a ga i n there a re 3 3s:

11 ’
muta ble re a lity dict a t es .
, ,

“ “
l a ws which c a nn o t be fa l sified ; l a ws releva n t
t o th o s e ki n ds o f r e a lity whi ch we decree t o exi s t
by c o mm a n d c on cept a n d which by thi s c o mm a n d
-
, , ,

a r e n o t mut a ble a t a ll Thu s it i s a s t a ble verity .

tha t It i s n o t i n deed true tha t t wo , ,

a dde d t o t wo i n the c o n crete w orld o f eve n t s a lw a y s

m a ke fo ur Two ra i n dr o p s a dded t o t wo o thers

”
.

“
ma y m a k e un ic ellul a r o rg a n i sm s i n
”
one ; ,

tota l c o n juga ti on ma y b e c o m e o ne ,
But the .

n umeric a l st a t e m e n t i s true o f a d o m a i n i n whi ch

di sti n gui sh a ble p o i n t s do n o t s u ffe r cha n ge but ,

rema i n sta bly di sti n gui sh a ble In thi s do m a i n t wo .

poi n t s a n d t wo p oi n ts do n o t m a ke but a re ,
”
,

fo ur There i s n o Ka n ti a n s yn thetic m a gic a s

.

re ga rds t h e p oi n t s them selve s Nothi n g ha ppe n s .

“
An d we h a ve to sa fe gu a rd t h e la w
”
a m o n g them .

by suppo si n g tha t n o thi n g ca n h a ppe n We ig n ore .

1
F . C . S S chi ller
.
,
“
The Imp ort of P rp
o osi ti ons. A
Symposium . P roc Ari s toteli a n S oc 19 14—
. 15 . .
 THE W OR LD AS IM A INATION G
the fa mili a r experie n ce s i n which t wo and two so

o fte n bec o me s e n sibly o n e o r five .

me a n s th a t the sa me p oi n t s a r e viewed
with a n o vel purp o s e As n o thi n g ex hyp othesi
.

h a pp e n s t o the p oi n t s them selve s it i s n ot s urpri s ,

i n g th a t th e y a r e a lwa y s f o ur They a r e f o ur .
,

ho wever befor e o ur a ddi ti o n a s well a s a fter !

,

So th a t t o reg a rd t hi s
”
a dditi o n a s so m a n y ,

writer s h a ve d on e a s a m a zin g men ta l mira cl e

,

s eem s a trifle a b s urd Pa r t ur i u n t m o n te s

.

4 Univer sa l s h a ve a lwa ys bee n a so urce o f

.

tr o uble t o stude n t s o f phil o sophy fur nishi n g a ,

theme i n which o b scur a n ti st s ta ke n a tur a l delight .

Avo idi n g the cu st o m a ry a scripti o n o f tim ele ssn e ss 1

,

we might defin e a u niversa l a s a n ythi n g which

ma y be sh a red by m a n y p a rticul a rs But o ur
2 ”
.

p a th will n o t be free fro m thorn s We ha ve bee n .

s urfeited with verb o s e di scu ssi o n s o f u ni versa l s

i n the p a st a n d the c o nf u si on rife i n thi s br a n ch

o f phil o so phic a l c o n tr o ver s y i s wo r s e p e rh a p s th a n , ,

th a t i n a n y o ther Feeli n g myself i n the pre se n c e

.

o f m a n y c o n fli cti n g specul a ti o n s a t cr o ss purp ose s I ,

pr op os e t o dr op c o n tro versy i n the m a i n a n d merely

t o s ugge st wh a t i s the p ositi o n o f u ni ver sa l s
i n a n im a gi n a l Univer se .

The fi r st thi n g to note f i s tha t the u n i v er sa ls o

con tr overs y ca nn ot be dea lt wi th i n the ma s s They .

a r e n ot a ll o n the s a me foo ti n g S ome rea litie s .

“ ” ”
which a r e s h a red by m a n y i n sta n ce s a re truly
1
Only th e con sci ou sn ess of the C I. .
, r g r d d b tr
e a e a s a ctly, is
a b ov e ti me i n thi s sen se a t a ll .

2
Thi s i s B rtre a nd Ru ssell
’
s defin iti on .
394 THE WORLD AS IMA GIN ATION
which the C I i n clude s a cla s s o f i ma gi na l va ri e ty
. .
,

t h e member s o f which wo uld be simil a r t o the red s ,

blue s e t c which se n sibl e e xperie n ce reve a ls to u s

,
.
, .

It i s n o t a cc ordi n gly s uper se n sible a n d si n ce it

, , , ,

a n d i t s member s a t a n y r a te e n dure n o t a b o ve ,

time We might c a ll it a n Im a gin a l i n o rder to

.
,

get rid o f t h e a sso ci a ti o n s o f Pl a to n ic in tellectu a li st

mystici s m To kn ow t hi s Im a gin a l fully it woul d
.

be n eces sa ry n ot to esca p e from sen si ble p er cepti on

, ,

but to percei ve i n the fu llest p oss i ble wa y 1

.

Th e s p eci a l whi ch u ni te s members of thi s

iden ti ty ,

sy stem o r cl a ss e n title s them t o be c o n sid e red a p a rt

,

a n d t o be reg a rded a s a n o rder a rticul a ted i n a

u ni que wa y But there i s n o Ima gi n a l o ut side o r

.

a b o ve the a ctu a lly rel a ted c o l o urs a s th e y a ppea r

i n t h e divi n e i n tuiti on Th e Im a gi n a l a s a s ch oo l .
,

“
ma n might sa y i s wholly pre se n t a nd
”
i n reba s
, ,

a m o n g the s e r es a r e the thi n g s w hi ch we m o rt a l s

k n o w a s s u n set s pigme n ts a n d skie s There i s n o

, ,
.

c a ll t o believe i n a n y further n o etic mystery ;

the se n sible a s pre sen t t o the C I i s divi n e tho ught
,
. .
,

it self .

Co n sider a g a i n the c a se o f the a lleged

,
un i ,

ver l
s a o f scie ce
n a — “
lre a dy di scu s sed the la w .
”

S ubt m s which a r e sa id to gra vit a te beh a ve

-
a o , , ,

un der very like c o n diti on s i n very like wa ys Th e ,

.

“
la w here i s n o timel e ss rea lity exi sti n g i n i t s
o wn right it i s wh a t it i s o nl y bec a u se the thi n gs
which i n ter a ct a r e wh a t they a r e It s i n sta n ce s .

1
Thi s con t a sts sh a r
rply with th yi g f th pl t i i g e sa n o e a on s n

Hegel for , wh m t h i r l i
o i th r h rd i t
e un v e sa s ne e see n n or ea , s

e xi st e n ce is th r t k w ly t th mi d
e sec e no n on o e n .
”
 IMAG IN ALS

o ccur o nl y duri n g t hi s i n tera cti o n a n d it self we re , ,

t h e i n ter a cti o n t o c e a se wo ul d di s a pp e a r But the

,
.

“
s ub a t o m s
”
-
i n thi s e ve n t w o uld s urvive their
, ,

cha n ge o f b e ha vi o ur We c a n n o t therefore a dmit .

, ,

tha t a la w o f thi s ki n d exi sts i n t h e C I qui te . .

so se cur e ly a s d o e s t h e Im a gi n a l o f C o l o ur j u s t di s
“
cu ssed In t h e c a s e s o f m a n y l a w s of c onn exi o n s
.

o f a ttribute s we ha ve n o a ssur a n ce th a t t h e in
s t a n ce s ,
which emb o dy the m will recur i n de fini tely
”
,

i n t h e flux o f time The se u n iver sa ls a t le a st

.

ma y be do o med t o va n i sh a lo n g with their va n i s h

“
ing i n st a n ce s If ho wever the i n sta n ce s do
.
, ,

n ot die o u t o f the c o s mi c m e m o ry but a r e c o n s erved ,

i n th a t ma de re a lity which the C I ha rve st s . .

”
fro m the cre a tive pro ce s s t h e l a ws a s we u n der , ,

s ta n d them will be c o n s erved

,
a s well — o nl y h o wever , ,

a s a s pect s o f th a t t o ta l i ma gi na l we a lth which i s

pre sen t t o the c on crete divi n e i n tuiti on .

The Hegeli a n u n iversa l a ph a n to m gra sped o nly ,

”
by reflecti o n i s a m a ke shi ft o f de fective huma n
,

m e n ta lity Th e highe st experie n c e c o n ta i n s n ot c o n

.

te n t u niversa ls but Ima gi na ls ha vi n g a rich n e ss

,
”

s urpa s si n g eve n o ur p e rceptu a l type o f kn o wledg e .

If t he m a rk o f u ni vers a l s i s tha t they a re O t t n con en

u l
by i ns t a n c e s o r p a rticul a rs the li st o f i g figi
n s
s ha red , n e

u ni versa l s of di fferen t sort s will be i n termi n a ble .

But o n e c o mm a n di n g c o n sider a ti o n a pplie s t o them

a ll. S uch exi sten ts a bout which we form c on cepts
, ,

a r e n o t th e m s elves c o n ceptu a l i n ch a r a cter but exi s t ,

i n a richer a n d s up e ri o r fo rm a s a spect s o f the c o n

crete i n tui tive c o smic im a gi n i n g Co n c e pts a r e m o de s .

o nl y o f fi nite c o n s ci o u s gra s It i quite u n n e c e s

p s .

s a ry t o s uppo s e th a t the s e fo rm s o f gra sp us eful ,

 THE WORLD A S IM A GINATION
an d i n deed i n di spe n sa ble for o ur selve s a cqu a i n t us ,

with the m a nn er i n which the C I e n j o ys a n d gra sp s . .

i t s c o n te n t s Th e C I c o mpri s e s i n deed c o n cept s

. . .
, , ,

bec a u se i n on e of i t s cre a tive e pi so de s it c o mpri se s

, ,

u s wh o u se them Th e p o i n t i s th a t it do e s n ot
.

g r a s p u s a n d o ur ch a r a cteri s tic s i n a c o n ceptu a l wa y .

Writer s h a ve sp o ke n o f u ni ver sa l s eve n i n

re spect o f s uch rel a ti o n s a s to the n orth o f etc ,
”
.

,
It i s di fficult to be s ure a s t o wh a t they h a ve i n
mi n d If they me a n tha t there i s a c osmic sp a c e
.

o rder s h a red by the e xperie n ce s o f m a n y se n

t i e n t s t h e s t a teme n t h o ld s g o o d
, But rel a ti o n s i n .

thi s c o smic s p a ce order it mu st be a dded i n n o

-
, ,

wa y re se mble the Hegeli a n type o f

”
u n iver sa l ,

which i s i mper cep ti ble a n d merely k n o w n t o re flec

tive th o ught They a re a spect s o f im a gi n a l c o n cre te
.

th ought a n d a r e di scu ssed c on ve n ie n tly a s Im a gi n a ls

,
.

Viewed i n thi s light sp a ce rela ti o n s c a n be

“
,

i n terpreted with o ut di fficul ty o n the li n e s a lre a dy

1
sugge sted .

On
f
‘a
b
s u ty p e Ther e i s ubtype o f a u n iver sa l
s which h a s
v
pla yed a p a rt i n the hi sto ry of philoso phy a n d which ,

figffizgf;
a ‘

o o
merit s n otice before we p a ss o n .

Co n sider the c o n cept s o f cert a i n Na tur a l Ki n ds ,

li o ns o a ks p a lm s etc which figur e pro mi n e n tly

, , , .
,

i n some scheme s o f cre a ti on Writers h a ve held .

th a t the se c o n cepts exa lted i n t o u niver sa l s o f

,

c o smic sta n di n g a r e the a rchetype s of s e n sible

,

form s Tho ugh

. vi sible o nl y t o reflecti on the
a rchetyp a l Ki n d u n derli e s so meh o w the plur a l p a r

t i c ula r i n st a n ce s o f it ( li o n s o a k s which a r e , ,

1
Pa rt II Cha p IV 6 .Rela ti on s .
, .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION

of the pro blem s which thi s word u niversa l

ma y s ugge st .

Th e Ima gi na l A e ible a rchetype o f the sort sugge sted would

s ns
a ga i n
.

be ju st a p a rticul a r Im a gi n a l It will c on cern u s .

l a ter t o de cide whether such a rchetype s e xi st or

h a ve exi sted So fa r we h a ve c o me to n o deci si o n
.

i n the m a tter .

En o ugh h a s bee n sa id for o ur pre s en t purp o se s

i n re spect o f thi s t o pic o f Im a gi n a ls
”
to which we ,

Sh a ll retur n L et u s a ttempt n ow o n the b a si s of

.
,

f or e g oi n g spec ul a ti o n s to uchi n g the C I a n d it s . .

m or e imp orta n t fe a ture s t o form some ide a o f ,

the m a n n er i n which the Evoluti on of Na ture ,

i n org a n ic a n d o rg a n ic c a me t o p a ss , .

6 R e verti n g h o wever i n p a ssi n g t o the que sti on

.
, ,

of a cl a ssific a ti o n o f Na me a ble Thi n g s n o ticed ,

”

previ o u sly i n c on n ecti o n with Mill ( Pa rt II Ch a p II . . .

l ) we c a n st a te n o w deci sively the g e n er a l fo rm

,

which it mu st ta ke Ultim a te Re a lity i s the C osmic

.

Im a gi n a ti on or Im a gi n a l ID EA o f which a ll a lleged ,

o ther exi ste n ce i s merely a form or m o de Thi s .

I D EA a t o n ce c on serva tive a n d cre a tive i n clude s

, ,

a ll the phe n o me n a va ri o u sly l a belled rel a ti on a l

th o ught will ple a sure s a n d p a i n s
,
”
aesthetic ,
”

feeli n g m o de s o N ture
,
f a a n d —
t h e like e very
,
”

thi n g i n sh ort which be a r s witn e ss t o i t s a ctu a lity

, ,

by a ppe a ri n g i n o ur se n tie n t experie n ce An d n ot .

o n ly the va ried con ten ts but a l so the con sci ou s ce n tre s

,

i n which the c on te n t s S h o w bel on g t o thi s Im a gi n a l

,

I D EA A cl a ssific a ti on o f Na me a ble Thi n g s pre se n t s

.
,

a cc o rdi n gly n o gre a t di fl i c ul ty a n d c a n be m a de a t

‘
, ,

lei sure o n the b a si s o f i n ve stig a ti o n s such a s a r e

exciti n g o ur i n tere s t i n the cour s e o f this e ssa y .
 Pa r t III

CHAPTER I

PREL M I I NA RY OB S RVA
E T ION S R S P EC
E TIN G N AT URE
AN D E VO LU N TIO
”

1 . Universe
THE write s Berg so n
, i s n ot ,

m a de but i s b ei n g m a de c o n ti n ua lly It i s gro w

,
.

i n g perh a p s i n defi nitely by the cre a ti o n o f n ew

, ,

Thi s sa yi n g ma y ga ll believer s i n the

”
wo rlds 1
.

Ab solute but it c a n n o t for th a t be e n dor sed by

, , ,

u s with o ut qu a lific a ti o n Th e Un iverse th a t i s t o Th

.
,
e U r
n i v e se

sa y the Co s mic Im a gi n a ti o n l n the wide s t me a ni n g

, n or
“
3
11
o f the term i s h a rdly such a s t o
”
, gro w It 1s only 3 .
8
8 0 2
01

a fin ite re a lity o r c o n te n t o f thi s Im a gi n a ti o n which n c es s i ty ,

“
fi ,
0 an ge
ca n grow so th a t a fter the gro wth it com ”

m
, ,

pri se s e a s ura bly m ore tha n it did before Th e .

true o ce a n of the i n fini te on which cre a ti o ns a re,

ripple s tra n scen ds gr owt h by tra n sce n di n g me a s ur e

,
.

F urther the D ivi n e Life we h a d rea son t o thi n k i s

, , ,

n o t ch a r a cteri sed by perpetu a l fl u x It i s r a ther

“

a c o n serva tive a ctivity the év ép yet a am mo la g

,
- r
,

which ma y c o n t a i n i n deed r ea l time succe ssi o ns

, ,
-

a n d with the s e cre a tive epi so de s but eve n s o n o t ,

un der c o n stra i n t o f a n y etern a l n ece ssity Time .

s ucce s si o n i s but the f orm o f cre a ti on ; a n d it i s

n a tive t o the fr eedom of Im a gi n a ti o n whether there

s h a ll be cre a tive epi so de s o r n o t .

1
Crea ti ve Evolu ti on , Englis h tra nsla ti on , p . 2 55 .

399
 THE WORLD AS IMAGI N ATION

2 . We a r e c o mmitted t o a n a ttempt to rethi n k

o n e o f the s e v a st cre a tive epi so de s on e which i s ,

big with the de sti n y of m a nki n d An d for the .

pre sen t we sh a ll be di scu ssi n g o nl y a n a spect o f thi s

epi so de t o wit the Evoluti on o f Na ture or r a ther
, , ,

s uch p o rti o n o f it a s t o o k pl a ce bef o re the a pp e a r a n ce

o f a ni m a l a n d hum a n s e n tie n t s on thi s pl a n et We .

a r e t o rec a s t wh a t h a s bee n c a lled Na ture phil oso phy -

i n the light of o u r m a i n hyp o the si s We sh a ll be .

d e a lin g with s uch t opic s a s the Primeva l Appul se ,

the ge n e si s of time successi on sp a ce ( exte n sity )

-
, ,
“
c a u sa ti on the birth o f la w
”
and , imm a n e n t ,

de sig n o bjective ch a n c e o rder a n d di sorder the

, , ,

fo u n d a ti on s o f so c a lled i n org a n ic evoluti on etc

-
, .
,

cl o si n g the a cc o u n t whe n the story of the a n im a l

s e n tie n t i s re a ched Thi s further s t o ry a n d the
.

mome n to u s devel opmen t s t o which it le a ds will

be tre a ted a t a ppropri a te le n gth i n a fo rthc o mi n g
volume .

3 We a r e t o rethi n k the n o n e o f the se va st

.
, ,

cre a tive epi so de s To be a wa re o f it a dequa tely

.

woul d be t o reim a gi n e it wh ole j ust a s it wa s pre se n t

t o the im a gi n i n g o f the C I Thi s bei n g imp ossible
. .
,

we ha ve t o m a ke sta teme n ts s electively a bout it ,

a cc o rdi n g t o s o me pl a n tre a ti n g it a t a di sta n ce a s

,

a proce s s t o be glimp sed o nl y a t p o i n t s We ha ve .

t o s ub stitute for a n id e a l o f c o mplet e vi si on the

m a ke shift device s o f c on ceptu a l tho ught ; cr a vin g
fo r a n e xa lted in tuiti on we h a ve t o put up for ,

the m o s t p a rt with the hu sks o f repre sen ta tive

,

k n o wledg e Th e mystic of the m a rket pla c e pro te st s

.
-

l o u dl y but he t o o whe n pre ssed h a s n o better fa re

, , , ,

t o give u s Slo wly there fa ll s a wa y the Hegeli a n

.

h o pe o f full gra sp o f the dyn a mic o f the ID EA Th e .

 THE WORLD AS IM AG INATION

eve n t s w hi ch a r e occurri n g i n crea ti on n o w .

Noveltie s h a ve c ome t o pa ss the Oldest stra ta of

Na tur e a r e i n p a rt lo st to view the pa st h a s cha n ged
i n t o the pre sen t with the i n c o n sta n cy o f a su n set
clo ud Wha t the n a m I t o do
.
, First a n d fore
,

mo st I mu st a dopt Bl a ke s a dvice a n d try t o exp a n d

,
’

my im a gi ni n g i n to the im a gi n i n g o f God —o r ,

a s we prefer t o s a y the C I — a n d o n thi s b a si s c o n . .

,

s truct hyp o the s e s to be a p p li ed to a nd tested by , ,

p h en omen a s uch as the wor ld order p r esen ts n ow

-
.

“
Thi s so rt of
i n tuiti on m a y pr o ve o f gen ui n e
s ervice t o p hi l o s o phy ; the a vo w e dly experime n t a l

ch a ra cter of the ve n ture a n d the a ppea l t o e xp eri ,

e n ce i n the te sti n g o f i t s re sul t s s ecure u s fro m ,

ri sks Hyp othe se s we require a n d hyp othe se s n ot

.
, ,

lyi n g re a dy t o h a n d h a ve t o be c on structed There

, .

a r e n o me a n s o f pr o gre ss o n o ther li n e s i n sight .

I will therefo re refer critic s b a ck t o the imp or

, ,

t a n t Ob serva ti o n s a n e n t i n tuiti on a n d hyp o the si s

m a de i n the I n tr o ducti on a ddi n g th a t we ma y
1
,

expect quite h o pefully tha t hum a n i ma gi n i ng

will h old up the mirro r t o th a t wider i ma gi n i ng ,

whi ch i n clude s Na ture a n d a chieve some slight ,

me a s ure o f succe ss It ma y well be th a t de spite

.
,

the fr a gme n t a ri n e ss o f o ur i n sights despite c om ,

p u l s o r
y re s ort fo r the m os
,
t p a rt to c o n ceptu a l ,

m a ke shifts we S ha ll secure e n o ugh truth to ju stify

,

the h a z a rds of the ven ture .

5 We h a ve a dmitted bec a use we m ust tha t

.
, ,

there ma y exi st i nn umera ble Na ture s o ther th a n the

'

An d we h a ve a llo wed
”
s y s tem w hi ch we c a ll o ur s .
,

further a l so bec a u se we must tha t very much

, , ,

perhap s m o st o f o ur s ystem o f Na ture ma y be

,

1
Pa r t I Introdu c tio n
. 5 In tuition a nd Hyp othesis
, , .
 B U
A O T NATURE
clo sed to o ur pr esent percepti on s There a r e Th pr i .
, e ov n ce

do ubtle ss u n di sc o vered c o un tries un see n worlds giffj g

, ,
gg ,
”

s ,

h a vi n g teemi n g p op ul a ti o n s s uper a n d subhum a n ,

whi ch c omplete the deta il s o f thi s system Roo m .

for s uch p o ssibilitie s mu s t be left by a ll sa n e thi nker s .

Now clea rly we c a n n ot rethi n k un di sc overed deta ils

i n the c o ur se o f o ur Na ture phi loso phy ; a n d a -

dea dl ock it ma y be urged i s i n evit a ble a t t hi s p oi n t

, ,
.

But then we do n o t dea l directly with the deta i ls

o f eve n t h e f a mili a r m o de s o f Na ture a str o n o mic , ,

chemic a l ge olo gic bi ologic etc The bu si n e s s o f

, , , .

Na tur e philosophy i s n ot to p en a hi story o f the

-

evoluti on of a p a rtic ul a r Milky Wa y sola r system , ,

pla n et or ki n d of o rg a n i sm ; n ot t o ra i se deb a te s
,

a b o ut the d oi n g s o f mice m e n the de ni z e n s o f M a r s

, ,

a nd
“
ethere a l a n d s uper ethere a l pl a n e s —the se
” “ -

m a tters a n d the like f a ll t o the pro vi n ce of scie n ce ,

a s o rdi n a rily u n der st oo d o r a s e xp a n de d t o c o ver

,

n e w field s We h a ve n o speci a l i n tere st i n B order

.

l a n d mysterie s le a vi n g i n deed thi s do m a i n m a i n ly

, , ,

to metemp i ric a l physic s a n d p sych olo gy We .

do n ot a sk with the m o der n Ma gu s ( a n a uthority

o n u n see n wo rld s on ly) wh a t m o de s o f telep a thy

o bt a i n i n the 7t h he a ve n o r whether , t ra n s fin i te
“ ”
c a rdi n a l s o n t he a stra l pl a n e we a r red ro be s
, , .

I n tere sti n g i n it self thi s i nf o rm a ti on ma y be but ,

it i s quite irreleva n t t o o ur pre se n t p urp o se We .

a r e c o n cer n ed her e with t h e wider ch a ra cteri s tic s

o f thi n g s with such fu n da men t a l fe a ture s of rea lity

a s further u n der s t a n di n g o f Na ture r e a rded a s a
g
p sychi ca l whole An d i n de a li n g i n thi s ge n e ra l wa y
.
,

wi th the ge n e si s a n d sta n di n g o f Na tur e we a re ,

reli e ve d fro m the n eed o f ha vi ng t o be i nf o rme d a s t o

wha t goe s o n i n it s e very n oo k a n d c o r n er Ne wto n .

’
c o uld di scus s the e a rth s gre a ter moveme n ts without
 THE WORLD G
AS IMA IN ATION

referen ce to the mi n or movemen ts whi ch o ccur i n

a city fa ct o ry o r wa tch
,
We c a n di scuss the la rger
,
.

a s pect s o f Na ture p hi lo sophy with out wa iti n g to

-

exa mi n e every s ort o f world a n d o rg a ni sm which

o ur p a rticul a r Na tur e system ma y h a pp en to
—
i n clude To m a ke u se o f a c on veni e n t met a pho r we
.
,

a r e a tte n di n g n ot t o p a rticul a r thi n g s but r a ther to ,

the c o mm on conn ecti ve ti ssues i n which they a re set .

6 the eye s o f the du a li st eve n n o w by n o

. In ,

me a n s exti n ct Na tur e i s a c ollective n a me for sp a ce

,

,
- —
hu n g time strun g phe n o men a so me tra n sie n t so me ,

a g a i n rel a tively perm a n e n t a n d a ll s h o wi n g u ni ,

—
for mi t i e s Of c o n n exio n or l a w s which c on s ci o u s
spirit become s a wa re o f but doe s n ot cr ea te Th e , .

thi n g s i n thi s o rder o f Na ture h a ve n o c on sci o us

re a lity i n their o wn right ; di ffer r a di c a ll y fro m
S pirit a n d exi st i n depen den tly of their pre sen ce t o
,

it. Thi s c on tra s t o f S pirit with Na ture which it ,

merely e n c o un ter s or c o nf r on t s u sed t o be a sta ple ,

do ctri n e o f p op ul a r phil o so phy It per si st s i n a .

,

refin ed form i n the writi n g s eve n o f Berg so n

, .

But there i s n o ra di ca l co n tra s t betwee n wha t we

kn o w directly i n o ur c on sci o u s experie n ce a n d the
thi n g s which o bt a i n i n the order o f Na tur e Ther e .

i s n o s uch exi ste n t a s b a re c o n sci o u sn e ss which

ca n c o me devoid o f c o n ten t to Na ture
, An d , .

there i s n o sen sibly perceived phe n ome n on o f

Na ture which c oul d n ot be duplic a te d i n the c on ten t
o f a merely so lip si s tic s pirit o r ce n tre o f c o n s ci o u s

life . All th a t I p e rceive I c o uld the oretic a lly ,

s pe a ki n g fa n cy eve n if n othi n g but my fa n cy

, ,

exi st ed i n the Un iver se Eve n a s my limited p o wers.

g o I
, c o nf r on t i n s peci a l dre a m s a n d vivid picturi n g
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
view . Wha t a ppe a r s to u s i n se n se percepti on -

a s phy sic a l n a ture mus t be a c ommun ity or a ,

c o mplex o f c o mmu ni tie s o f se n tien t e xperi e n ci n g

bei n g s ; behi n d the a ppea ra n ce the re a lity mu s t be
o f the sa me ge n er a l type a s th a t w hi ch we fo r the ,

s a me re a son s a ssert t o be b e hi n d the a ppe a r

,

a n oes we c a ll the b o di e s o f o u r f e ll o w s An d
1 ”
.

Pr ofe sso r Ta yl or a dd s ju stly th a t much of Na ture

pre sum a bly a ppe a r s lifel e ss a n d purp o se le ss t o u s
for the sa m e re a so n th a t the s peech o f a f oreign er
s eem s s e n s ele ss j a rg o n t o a ru stic wh o k n o w s n o

l a n gua ge but h is o wn There i s n eed i n deed .

”
, ,

t o sugge st th a t s o me o f the s e so cietie s m a y be o f

type s fa r superi or t o o u r own ( We s h a ll recur t o .

thi s p oi n t i n due se a son It i s n oticed here bec a u se .

it bea r s o bvi o u sly o n the pro blem o f the c orrect

i n terpreta ti o n o f Na ture ) Na ture the n i s ( 1) a ki n .
, , ,

i n p o i n t o f i t s con ten ts to the c on te n t s which fill o u r

,

o wn c o n s ci o u s live s ; ( 2 ) m a sk s with the s e c o n te n t s

c o u n tle ss so cietie s o f s e n tie n ts wh o exi st n ot merely

fo r o ther s but a r e a wa re of con ten ts ju s t a s a re
, ,

mice a n d men .

7We a r e n e a ri n g if sl o wly so me worki n g

.
, ,

defini tio n o f Na ture on the wa y t o n ote the m a rk s

”
which the a spect o f a n y cre a tive epi so de thu s ,

n a med mu st bea r L et u s gl a n ce a s we go a t
, .
, ,

so me ch a r a cteri sa ti o n s o f N a ture pe n n ed by ide a l

r
Eme
’
son s. i st i c thi n ker s For Emer son Na tur e i s the
.
pro

ec t i on o f Go d i n to the u n c o n sci o u s T
”

j hi s view .
,

duly tra n sl a ted by u s seem s t o a ssert th a t the C I ,

. .

1
P rf
rA o e sso . E Ta ylo r Elemen ts of M etap hysi cs , p . 2 09 .

Th r i
.

r f ri r
,

e e l g s a on v i n di ca ti on of t hi s ma n n e of in e r ng ea l

j t mjr
e ec s ,
”
a o a nd mi n o r , to be f ou n d i n my Indi vi dua l a nd

R li y p 9 9 ff
ea t , . .
 B U
A O T N AT UR E
extrude s it s con tent so meh ow ou t o f it self i n to a n
exi ste n ce unl it by c on sci o u s life But the c on te n ts .

o f Na ture c a n n o t s wi n g thus utterly cle a r o f the

C I ; while they m a sk a s we n o ted societie s o f

. .
, ,

i n defin itely n umero u s s e n tie n t s An eve n more .

import a n t c o n te n ti on i n re g a rd to thi s m a ski n g

, ,

i s a wa iti n g u s .

Schelli g a n o bjective idea li st reg a rded Na ture

n , , S ch elli ng
’
s.

as the un c on s ci o u s p rimitive po etry o f S pirit .

—
Po etry the word i s a h a ppy o n e But let u s a dd .
,

a s a g a i n s t Germ a n philo so pher s o f the Un c o n

s ci o u s fro m Schelli n g to v o n H a rtm a n n th a t o n ly ,

con s ci ous p o wer cr e a te s a n d t a ke s j o y i n p o etry a n d

a rt ge n er a lly a n d th a t a do ctri n e o f the All c o n

,
-

sci o u s i s required a s soo n a s we c o me to di s cu s s

c on sci o us se n tie n cy a s well a s c o n te n t I n eed n ot .

rep e a t a t thi s s ta ge th a t the hyp o the si s o f the c on

s ci o u s C I i s o f n o u se to re a cti o n a ry tho ught
. .
,

bei n g ho stile to theologic a l belief i n a n i n fin ite

p sona l Gro u n d
er .

S chelli g wr o te of the
n O dyssey of Spirit i n
g oi n g out o f it self i n to Na ture the p a rts of whic h , ,

a ga i n a r e o ut side o f o n e a n o ther
, He g a ve t h e H .
’
eg e l s .

cue doubtle ss t o Hegel for who m Na ture i s t he

, , ,

I D EA a s o the r th a n it se lf a n d a t the sa me tim e

f
l
”
o ut sid e it self ; thi s se exter na li t ch r-
cteri i g
y a a s n

a l so s ub ordi n a te c on tr a s t s withi n Na tur e Na ture .

u n c o n sci o u s a n d u n c o n trolled by it self i s di s

c us sed i h tha t p orti o n o f tho ught which c o n cer n s
rea lity in so fa r a s it i s see n fro m t he o ut side .
”

’
Bra dley s view i s given i n Appe a r a n ce a n d B ’
r a dley s .

Re a lity Na ture is tha t pa rt o f the world

.
”

which is n o t i n se p a ra bly o n e thi ng i n experie n c e

 THE WORLD AS IM A INATION G
with th o se i n ter n a l gro up s which fe el ple a sure a n d
p a i n It i s the a tten da n t medi um by which selve s
.

a r e m a de m a ni fe s t t o o n e a n o ther But it s ho w s .

a n exi ste n ce a n d l a w s n ot bel o n gi n g t o th o s e s elve s

a n d t o so me exte n t it a ppe a r s i n di ffere n t t o th e ir

fe eli n g s a n d tho ught s a n d voliti on s It i s thi s .

i n de pen den ce which wo uld seem t o be the di sti n o

tive m a rk o f Na ture . Bra dl ey do e s n ot m a ke it
”

cl e a r h o w thi s me di um i n which s elve s a r e

,
”

se t s t a n d s t o the s uper r a ti o n a l Experie n ce which

,
-

he sub stitute s for the Heg eli a n I D E A The Exp eri .

e n c e a l o n e i s a w a re o f the s ecret Hi s c h a r a c t e ri sa
.

ti o n o f Na ture l a ck s preci si o n a n d cert a i n ly do e s

n o t g o d ee p e n o ugh fo r o ur purp o s e s which i n clude ,

the s a fegu a r di n g o f a re a l time succe ssi o n -

.

Ha vi n g n o te d the va lu a ble sugge sti o n s i n the se

vi e w s we a r e pre p a red t o m a ke a n i n iti a l sta temen t
,

a s t o wh a t we m e a n by Na ture It i s n ot a st a te .

m e n t t o be m a de i n a bre a th ; a n d th ere will be

d eep eni n gs o f it a t s ucce ssive st a ge s o f thi s e ssa y .

To e n a ble u s t o fo rm a wo rki n g n o ti o n ro u n d which -

,

th o ughts ma y crysta lli se there will be som e fore

,

s t a lli n g o f re s ult s.

Let di scu ss exi sti n g Na ture s ( whi ch m a y be

us

i nn umera ble a n d n o t directly rel a ted t o o n e a n oth e r

,

a t a ll ) a s o n e Na ture Wh a t i s the sta n di n g o f

.

thi s 2

Pri or the ge n e si s o f Na tur e the C I a c o n

to . .
,

ser v a t i v e a ctivity en du r es
,
n o t i n deed timel e s s ly
, ,

but with o ut ch a n ge o f c on te n t It i s a h a rm o n i o u s
.

u ni ty o f c o n sci o u sn e ss a n d c o n ten t ; the se l a tt er

bei n g i t s c o n ti n u ou s a n d di scret e a sp e ct s Co n .
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
Met a physic a l Fa ll ; the price of a n e w cre a tive
epi so de . Uni ver s e s eem s a lm ost to ha ve p a ssed
i n to Mul tiverse D uri n g the descen t out
.
”

s ide n e s s or extern a lity become s self exter -

n a li t y a s w e ll On e p a rt o f Na ture bec ome s m o re

.

o r le ss exclus i v e o f a no ther th o ugh l o ss o f c o n ti n ui ty

,

ca n n ever it i s true be quite complete It i s

, , .

a mi sc on ceptio n o f thi s self extern a lity which -

len ds s uch s upport to the mecha n i stic hypothe se s

o f re a lity .

Thu s N ture is a n a spect o f a crea ti ve tho ught

a

or c on te n t whole withi n the C I ; a su b whole

- — . .

which devel o p s mo re or le ss i n depe n de n tly o f the

c o n te n t o f the con serva ti ve b a ckgr o u n d o ver a g a i n st
which it a ppe a r s If there be i n truth i nn umer
.
, ,

a ble Na tures they a re i n depen de n t n ot onl y of

, ,

thi s c o n te n t b a ckgrou n d but a l so o f o n e a n other

-
,
.

It i s n ece ssa ry t o sa y a spect si n ce sh a rp s ep a ra ,

”

ti on o f the co n te n t side of a Na ture fro m the

-

“
s ci o u s a nd co n scious s e n tie n t live s a llied
with it will n ot be fou n d to bri n g s a ti s fa ctio n .

Th e di recti o n of the proce ss 2 To wa rd s rec o very

°

of the h a rm o ni o u s st a te whe n ce it a r o s e Eve n a .

r om a n ce o f the C I c o me s t o a clo se But thi s

. . .

retur n of cre a ti o n i n to the eter n a l pre se n t which ,

i s n ot timeless but e n dure s without ch a n ge ,

will c on cer n us l a ter .

Na t ur e a nd
t h e fin i te
Withi n N
ture a ri se finite se n tien t s o f a ll gra de s
a ,

s e n t i en t s sub and doubtles s s uperhum a n which a re a ll ,

a l li e d wi t h i t
s pirit s i n thi s c o mm a n di n g s e n se th a t they
.

a w a re them selve s direc tly a n d immedi a tely i n s elf

 WHAT IS MEANT BY EV OLUTION
feeli n g kn ow their bei n g from the i n side
,
Th e .
1

se n tie n t is a re a lity which i s pr esent to i tself Eve n .

a fish i s s uch a re a lity i n so fa r a s it a wa re s however ,

simply a fo o d p a rticle
,
But the p a rticle i s sa id
-
.

to h a ve n o c on sci o u s re a lity o f i t s o wn ; it i s a
re a lity which i s a wa re d o nly bec a u se it i s pr es ent
to a n other On the o ther h a n d the
. u n co n sciou s ,

p a rticle i s more tha n a n a ppe a ra n ce t o the fish

s e n tie n t It p oi n t s a l so to a co n ten t o f Na tur e
.
, ,

which exi st s whether the fish se n tie n t i s i n flue n ced -

by it o r n ot An d like a ll o ther a spect s o f the

.
,

perceived o rder it m a sks c o mmun itie s o f mi n o r,

s e n tie n t s which a r e m ore th a n mer e c o n te n t s which

s e n tie n t s a wa re S h a ll we urge tha t there is n o

.

eleme n t o f c o n te n t wha tever i n Na ture which i s

n ot pre se n t i n so me m a n n er to s e n tie n t s o f differe n t

gr a de s ? O ur a cc o u n t o f the evo luti on o f Na ture

will i n clude thi s view .

8 . Wha t mea n t by the term evoluti on a ry Wh

is ,
a t 18 the
m e an i n g f or us
l d
’
as a
pp l e t o ch a n ge 1n o r
ga n 1c o rg a n i c etc 2 f , ,
. o su c h t erm s
d
It i s t o be fe a red th a t m a n y writers h a ve u sed it fi na fi t nd

va guely a s a la bel for a n y hyp o the si s a b o ut Na ture E l t

v ° u 1°n

which derive s by a gra dua l pro ce ss prefera bly

,

m e ch a ni stic the higher a n d richer out of lower a nd

,

p o or er elemen ta r y a genci es Th e sa me s tra i n .

i n g a fter expla n a ti on by the l o wer a n d p oo rer

cha ra c teri se s much of p opul a r evoluti o n a ry
specul a ti o n a s to the origi ns o f i n tellectu a l a n d
mora l fa culty Thi s de spera te e n terpri se i s u seful
.

to u s here It h a s the va lue whi ch a tta che s so

.

o fte n t o err o r It e n a ble s u s ho wever fa ulty o u r

.
,

1
Th e rf e e ren ce is r
n ot , o f c ou se , to re le f
f cti ve sel i
-c o n sc ous n ess

whi h i r l ti p d pr b bly k w
,

c s a e a v ely la t e dev elo me nt an o a un no n

b l w th h m
e o e u an lev el .
 THE W OR L D AS IM A GINATION
o wn hypothe si s ma y prove t o p oi n t , out u n h e si t a

ti n gly wh a t Evoluti o n is n ot .

Wh at Ev olu Evo luti o n b a sed on the m ovemen t s of m a ss

as
t i on i s n ot
p a rticles ; o n tra n sform a ti o n s o f a mythologic a l
.

c a lc ul a tor s e n tity c a lled En ergy o n a me ch a n i

’

c a lly c o n ceived Ether a n d En ergy c o o pera t

- -

ing o r o n o ther li ke c o n ceptu a l figmen t s do e s n o t ,

c on cern u s It h a s bee n di sp o sed o f a lre a dy i n

.

1
a n o ther pl a ce .

Ag n ostic evoluti on i sm h a s been a ttempted ;

o n ly s urf a ce phe n ome n a a n d ge n er a li sa ti o n s a b o ut
-

the s e b e i n g by pro cl a m a ti o n i n view

,
But , .

a g n o stic s a s we h a ve s ee n
,
d o n ot a n d i n deed , ,

c a n n o t c o n fin e them selve s t o s urfa ce phe n o me n a ;

,
-

they a lwa ys i n va de meta physic s with out de siri n g ,

o vertly t o d o s o .

S pe cer wh o i s a g oo d repre se n ta tive o f thi s cla ss

n ,

o f t hi nk er reg a rd s Evoluti on a s a n i n tegra ti o n

,

o f m a tter a n d c o n c o mi t a n t di ss ip a ti o n o f m o ti o n

duri n g which the m a tter p a sse s fr o m a n i n defin ite ,

i n c o heren t ho m oge n eity t o a defini te c o her e n t ,

hetero ge n eity ; a n d duri n g which the reta i n ed

”
m o ti o n un derg o e s a p a ra llel tra n sform a ti o n Thi s .
,

i n deed i s the defi n iti o n fo u n d i n

,

It h a s gra ve defect s There i s ( l ) .

tro uble th a t the sur fa ce phe n o me n a a re -

i mpa rti a lly i n view the a b s tr a cti o n s u sed t o

,

thi nk them bei n g of mecha n i stic typ e An d ( 2 ) .

the se a b stra cti o ns bec o me i n cre a si n gly difficult t o u se

a s the s yn thetic phil oso phy le a ve s physic s for bio
l ogy a n d bi ology for p sycho logy a n d so ci o l ogy etc
, ,
.

1
Cf . l , 2 , 3 , Cha p IV. . Pa tr II .
4 14 THE WORLD AS IM AG INATION
c a rd s i n cludi n g c our t c a rds from its
,
wretched ,

ha n d . But h o w ca n it s ucceed except by a

c o n j ur er s a rtifice ? It s whole sa le deriva ti on o f
’

”
he tero ge n eity from h o m oge n eity i n the ,

field of Ma tter Moti on Time a n d Sp a ce

,
”
,
”
,
”
,
”

i s o f a piece with i t s tre a tme n t o f the s t a n di n g o f

co n sci o u s life The fa ll a cy o f simplicity h a s fo un d
.

yet a n o ther victim .

On e re a di ly un dersta n d s why me n expl a i n

c o mplex phe n ome n a by s a yi n g th a t they a re some
thi n g else ; n ot wh a t they a nn o u n ce them selve s t o
be but two o r t hree s i mp le a nd fa mi li a r ki n ds of
,

phe n ome n a va ri o u sly r el a ted They a r e bribed by .

the se n se of p o wer the a pp a re n t i n tellectu a l m a stery

,

e n j o yed We a re t o ur ge h o wever i n re spect of

.
, ,

Na ture ( 1) tha t its c on ten ts n ever were even a ppro xi

,

m a tely h omoge n e o u s a t a n y st a ge a n d ( 2 ) tha t ,

such heter oge n eity as S pen cer derive s from

ho moge n eity belo n g s i n s trict truth t o the
, ,

d o m a i n o f cre a ti on Th e clue i s t o be f o u n d i n
.

o ur views a bout c a u sa tio n a lre a dy s t a ted C a u sa .

ti o n co n serva tive a n d cre a tive a like i s ima gi n a l ;

, ,

a n d im a gi n a ti o n d o e s n ot build n e w edifices simply

by re a rra n gi n g old bricks .

Th e e n dle ss redi stributi n g o f Ma tter a n d

Mo ti on whi ch c ons titutes the world order
,
-

S pen cer c on structs n othi n g which it i s n ot bo

,

t o de stro y l a ter There i s n o pro vi si o n for

.

serva ti on o f va lues N ote th a t the Po wer .

fe s te d i n thi s futile ch a ng i n g i s s trictly deter

It i s a n d beha ve s o nl y a s a n iro n
Co n tra st it with the s piritua l
o f which sh o ws i n cre a ti o n ,
 WHAT IS M EANT BY EVOLUTION
c on te n t pl a stic to the fi l pr fit perh
na o ,
a ps , of

c on sci o us life .

Evoluti o n , we ma y be s ure i s n ot a gra dua l Wh t ,

a
.

Bec o mi n g o f defini te c ohere n t heterogen e ou s form s

, , a
h l gh t
of m a tter o ut o f i n de fin i te etc on e s We xgj é fi ,
.
,
.
l
u

c a nn ot simplify re a lity i n thi s ni gga rdly on e sided -

ma nn er if we wa n t truth Nor a g a i n to turn t o the

,
.
, ,

o pp o site extreme o f th o ught i s Evoluti o n a m a ki n g

,

“ “ “
explicit o r a ctua l o f a sys tem ”
implicit
or po te n ti a l a s so me ide a li sts will h a ve it i n a
, ,
“
s t a tic s piritu a l Ab so lute The s e terms
. implicit
a nd p o te n ti a l a n d t h e ble ssed word Me sop o ta mi a
ha ve much i n c o mmo n Fu n da me n ta lly wh a te ver
.
,

s ub si di a ry fe a ture s it ma y di spl a y Evoluti on i s a ,

cre a tive ro m a n ce withi n a Po wer o f which the be st

repre se n t a ti o n i s fur n i shed by o ur o wn im a gi ni n g
—c o n serva tive ( o r repr o ductive ) a n d cre a tive ( c o n

s tructive or pr o ductive ) It i s a rom a n ce a t o n ce

.

sple n di d a n d i nf er n a l a n epic u n ce n s ored

, t o i ts ,

a rti stic g a i n by the n a rro w m ora l c o n ve n ti on s

,

o f m a n ki n d. S cien tific gen era li sa ti on s a bout it re

semble a b o okworm s n otes a b o ut Othello ; they
’

dea l a b str a ctly with cert a i n fe a tur e s o f t h ezpl a y ,

but they mi ss the c o n crete mo veme n t o f the wh ole .

An d th e y le a ve u s o f c o ur se utterly i n the da rk a s
, ,

to t h e pro ductive a ctivity whi ch decreed th a t the

whole sho uld be .
 CHAPTER II

N AT URE ( OR T HE N A T UR ES ) G
B E AN

Na ture b eg a n. 1 . INt hi s a cc o un t o f the evoluti on o f Na ture we

a re s upp o si n g o f c o ur s e
, th a t N a tur e beg a n We
,
.

beli eve tha t there i s a re a l time s ucce ssi o n a n d th a t -

,

thi s succe ssi o n h a d a fir st s ta ge tha t it pre supp oses

wh a t will be de a lt with l a ter u n der the n a me o f the
In i ti a l S i tua ti on We believe fur ther tho ugh the
.
, ,

c on sider a ti o n i s n ot yet fully releva n t th a t it will ,

clos e i n a di vi n e eve n t the tra va il o f cre a

tio n h a vi n g s erved i t s tur n Th e s peci o u s .

presen t a l on e po ssible i n the welter of ch a n ge

, ,

wi ll p a ss a wa y The struggle s o f Becomi n g will

.

i ssue i n the perfected re s ult i n whi ch there rema i n s

n o sc o pe for ch a n ge .

To uppose t hi s i s t o sa y o n ce more th a t fini tu de

s

ch a ra cteri ses o ur World S ystem i n a time reg a rd -

a s i n a ll o ther re s pect s An y ripple o n the o ce a n

.

o f the i n fini te i s fi n ite ju st bec a u se it 1s n ot the

,

o ce a n it self An d there ma y be i nn umera ble

.

ripple s o r wo rld proce sse s to be t a ke n i n to a cc o u n t

-
.

N o on e W o ld S yste
r -
m cou ld co mp r i se the va riety whi ch
cr ea ti on r equ i r es . No t a ll
ki n ds o f phe n ome n a a re
c ompos sible a s L eib n itz put it
,
”
Th e s u m o f .

a ll th a t i s comp o ssible a n d therefo re exist s we c a ll

the world which is c on dem n ed i n thi s wa y t o

,
”

4 16
 418 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

of st a bility a nd tra n sform a tio n figure in the

hi story o f a ll a ni ma l a n d pla n t species a s de Vries ,

a n d the mut a ti o ni st s c on te n d As o n the sm a ll .

s c a le so o n the gre a t
,
There m a y be like a lter n a .

ti o n s fro m te n si on t o v i s v i va e tc o n the c o smic ,

.
,

Te n si on
”
sc a le . a s a pplied t o the a ctivity o f the
,

C I s eem s a p oor symb ol

. .
,
1
S till even a Berg son h a s .
,

a ppe a led t o de te n si o n a s ge n era ti n g the n a tura l

-

order a n d sp a ce An d if we a re rid of thi s t oo di sta n t

.

s ymb oli s m a n d i n terpret the a lter n a ti o n s o n the

,

li n es o f im a gi n a l c on serva ti on a n d cre a ti o n a re we ,

n o t withi n h a il of the truth

Wh y we ar e But if thi s be a tolera ble tru th cla im it i s on e -

,
u n con vi n c ed
which eve n Mill s Fi ni te Go d were He merely the
.
’

r ul er o f our p a rticul a r World S ystem c oul d n o t -

,

v er ify for u s There a r e p oi n t s re s pecti n g w hi ch

.

eve n a society o f g o ds ma y be a g n ostic a n d this

s eem s o n e o f them An d n ot bei n g a go d a nd bei n g
.

u n a ble to gue ss to a n y pro fit I prefer to s ta te a ,

per son a l i n cli n a ti on ra ther tha n a c on victio n thus, , .

Th e a lter n a ti o n s n oted a re o f gre a t sig ni fic a n ce i n

the regi on s where they a re n oticed a n d o f c o ur se , , ,

s peci a lly sa ti sf a ct o ry t o a wa y o f th in ki n g s uch a s

o urs .But they ha r dl y c on vo y us t o i nf ere n ce s

a b o ut u ni ver sa l n on cre a tive N ight s a n d cre a tive -

D a ys There endures ever the gen ui n e presen t of

.

Etern a l Da y : the Da y o f the All c on sci o u s I D EA -

or C I Cre a tive epi so de s ma y be i n the c on te n t

. .

o f thi s I D E A o r they ma y n o t It s freedo m i s .

n ot limited by rhythm s o f a lte rn a ti on imp osed

by so me da rk fa te beyo n d i t s p a le There c a n be .

n o s uch f a te beyo n d the I nfi ni te Let u s then be .

1
It i s sy m b
olisa ti on o n th e b En e gy
asi s of hi ch i s r w a

c alcula to s r ’
e n tit
y a n d not a rea li ty of cosmi c sta n di n
g .
 IM E
T -
LIMITATIONS AN D EN ERG Y
c on te n t to di spe n se with suppo siti ons a bo ut i n e v i t
a ble a lter n a ti o n s o f c o n templa ti on a n d cre a tio n .

Let u s simply hold tha t Ultima te R ea lity i s thi s i n

fin ite superperso n a l I D EA a n d th a t crea tive epi so des ,

a r e pre se n t t o it a s expr e s si o n s o f i t s freed o m Thi s .

will s uffic e fo r a ll t h e purp ose s o f thi s e ss a y a n d will ,

re scu e us fro m c o mi n g t o a deci si o n o n a m a tter t oo

fa r re a chi n g it ma y be fo r the exp e rie n ce o f g ods
-
, ,
.

Let u s n ote in c on clusi on tha t the c on cept of

, ,

a lte r n a ti on s a n d o f sim ul ta n e o u sly ev olvi n g Wo rld

S ystems n ot directly rela ted t o on e a n other ra i ses

, ,

a n a dditi on a l di ffic ul ty a b o ut time Ca n the se .

,

perha p s i n sul a ted World S ystem s pre se n t i n some

,
-
,

m a nn er t o the C I but n ot to o n e a n o ther be

. .
,

de scribed a s c on stitue n t s o f a si n gle time stre a m -

a t a ll

We return the n to the riddl e of h o w o ur p a r

, ,

t i cula r World S ystem of which a n a spect i s Na ture

-
, ,

be ga n It i s prude n t t o l e a ve the ge n e si s o f the

.

o ther p ossible S ys t e m s t o be di s cu ss ed by a uth o ritie s

better i nf ormed th a n o ur selve s So pro blem s c o n .

n e ct e d with u n iver sa l n o n cre a tive Night s a n d -

cre tive D ys i s uch there e va n i sh fro m the se

a a — f b —
p a ge s a n d he n cefo rth will tro uble us n o m ore .

3 Th e
time limit ti -
o ur World S ys tem “ E
a on s of -
n er
gy
.

ha ve o fte n b e e n di scussed by men of s cie n ce i n 3 5212513 11

,

c o nn ecti o n with En ergy a device o f s yM oli sa

ti on which o ught n ot t o be ta ke n o ver u n critic a lly S y t m s e .

a n d tre a ted a s if it were met a phy sic s but which ,

o ffer s fo r a ll th a t v a lu a ble m a tter for retr a n sl a ti o n

i n to o ur so rt o f tho ught Th e o utlo o k of the .

En ergy sym b o li st s i s a s fo llo ws All th a t .

ha ppen s i n o ur World S ystem is i n ciden t in t h e -

420 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION
tra n smuta tio n s o f En ergy flo wi n g d own fro m ,

i t s rem ot e he a dwa ter s i n t o the de a d s ea o f u n iform

hea t En ergy Th e s tre a m do e s n o t flo w u n
”
.

checked but st a g n a te s i n pl a ce s a s
, poten ti a l
En ergie s eve n tua lly to c on ti n ue i n
,
ki n etic
fo rm s i t s runni n g do wn t o the level where tra n s
muta tio n s ce a se Th e s ymb oli sa ti on i s p a te n t . .

Whe n we c o me to l o ok for En ergy itself we ,

c a nn o t fin d it It do dge s u s un der i t s a lleged qua li

.

t a ti v ely di ffere n t ki n etic forms or retre a t s i n to

”
p ote n ti a l bei n g ; a seclu si o n i n which it i s
tre a ted by scie n ce a s still someho w re a l a n d merely
hidden from v i ew ! Whe n we a r e sa id t o utili s e
En ergy wha t do we do ? We m o ve thi n g s ;
”
,

a n d o n thi s o ther eve n t s h a ppe n The s e h a ppe n .

“
i n g s a g a in a re sa id t o di spla y En ergy e quiv a
, ,
”
-

le n ces a cert a i n a m o un t o f o n e so rt o f En ergy

bei n g tra n sformed i n t o a cert a i n a m o un t of a n o ther
s ort ,
a s i n the c a s e o f the chur n i n g o f w a ter i n

which the co n st a n t rel a ti on betwee n mech a ni c a l

En ergy expe n ded a n d he a t En ergy pro duced
i s expre ssed by Joul e s la w 1 ’
But the se equiva len ce s .

m a rk c on serva tive rela ti on s between phe n o me n a

tra n sfo rm a ti o n s n o t c on serva ti on of a n e n tity
, ,

En ergy whi ch h a s n ever bee n o b served a n d

”
, ,

which seem s cle a rly a n i n ge n iou s device i n ve n ted t o

a i d c a lcul a ti o n s
2
.

But tre a ti n g the symb oli sm wa rily let u s look

, ,

a t the w o rld tr a n sfo rm a tio n s a s m a n y a uth oritie s

-

i n terpret them i n i t s light Th e go o f a Wo rld .

S ystem i s sa id t o depen d on the En ergy tra n s -

1
772 f oot - oun ds p
b i g p d d t r i th e n ex en e o a se e tem prtre a u e

of 1 lb . o f w t r 1 d gr F hr
a e e ee a .

2
See P rt II Ch p IV
a E rgy pp 3 13 2 0
. a . .
, ne , .
- .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
diluted i n to cha n ges tha t a r e i n vi sible a n d h om o
g e n eo u s a n,d th a t the i n s t a bility t o which we o w e

the rich n e ss a n d va riety o f the cha n ge s t a ki n g pl a ce

i n o ur s o la r sy stem will gra du a lly give wa y t o the
rela tive sta bility of e leme n ta ry vibra ti o n s c on
t i n u a lly a n d perpetu a lly repe a t e d But Berg son
1 ”
.
,

i n t hi s a cc o u n t of wh a t the la w t ell s u s i s still ,

de a li n g with symb ol s Th e di ffere n t ki n ds o f

.

hea t En ergy di scu ssed by s cie n ce ( ki n etic En ergy

-

o f m olec ul a r tra n sl a ti o n
”
spi n h ea t
,
wobble ,

he a t,
”
a n d so fo rth ) a r e a ll m a rke dl y symb olic
device s They a r e n ot va ri a n t s on wha t we me a n
.

by he a t whe n we bite h o t p ota t oe s but a re su b ,

s t i t u t i v e c o n cept s by which phys ici st s repre se n t t o

them selve s a s yet i mp ercepti ble h a ppe ni n g s i n Na ture .

They a r e schem a t a o f m o vi n g p a rticle s th o ught

very a b stra ctly ; idea s imp ossibly a dequa te t o wh a t
i s g oi n g o n Were the a ctua l ha ppe ni n g s per
.

ceiv ed ,
they would be like fa mili a r h a ppe n i n g s
which a r e pre se n t t o s e n se An d eve n thu s they .

wo uld m a sk r ela ti on s of sen ti en ts W hose li ves c a n n o t

be c u t down merely t o vibra ti on s c on ti n ua lly a n d
”
perpetua lly re pe a ted .

In c o n n ecti o n with the se li ves we mu st rec a ll the ,

a dmi ssi o n o f m e n o f s cie n ce th a t the sec o n d la w o f

Therm o dyn a mic s w o ul d n o t h o ld strictly if a ,

p sychi c a l fa cto r c o uld re g ul a te the m o veme n ts o f

a n f —
the sm ll u its o a so c a ll ed u ni fo rm hea t level .

Let a di sti n gui shed physici st spea k : As ha s

a lwa y s bee n u n der st o o d by the be s t exp o n e n t s o f

the la w the exi s te n ce o f a n y sort o f molecul a r

,

i n telli ge n ce wo uld viti a te the se c o n d la w Fo r .

tho ugh thro ugho ut we ha ve spoke n of mea n velo

, ,

1
Crea ti ve Evolu ti on , Englis h t r
a n sla ti on , pp . 2 56—7 .
 TIM E LIMITATIONS
- AN D EN E RGY
city me a n ki n etic e n ergy etc a s the sta ti stic a l S i N tu
, ,
.
,
n ce a re
m k ti t as s se n en
a ver a ge s a pplyi n g to the who le 1mme n se s wa rm o f mm m t i co u es '
th dl w
m olecule s a vera ge s wh 1c h ha ve perfectly de fimte f Th m
, o
e s econ
er o_
a

v lue s the i n dividua l m olecules i n the s me m

Sgg ét fi um
a a a ss xi l
,

o f m a tter dep a rt fro m the a vera ge v a lue s widely i mp h bl eac a e

y mw m
( S o ddy ) S uch v
. a ri a ti o n s c o uld be u s ed ; a t a n y
S ’ ‘

ra te there i s n o theoretic a l objecti on Th e po i n t .

o f c a pita l i n tere st to u s i s th a t s i n ce N a tur e m a s ks ,

s e n tie n t c ommun itie s a p sychi c a l f a ct o r i s fo rth

,

c omi n g ho wever u n develo ped we ma y supp o se it

,

to be .An d i n f a ct wi th the a ccept a n ce o f the

, ,

p sychic a l cha ra cter of Na ture we mu st prep a re t o ,

a ba n d o n belief i n a ll s ymb oli s m which require s the

s ec o n d la w t o be rigidly true Mea n whi le the .

va lue o f the la w for pra ctic a l thi nki n g subsi sts

unimp a ired .

Th e ymb oli sm o f En ergy degra da ti o n

s is a -

wa y of reg a rdi n g a World S ys tem a s thr ough a -

gla ss— very da rkly It s sig nific a n ce to u s c on si st s i n

.

i t s bei n g a hi n t fro m the side of s cie n ce th a t o ur

, ,

World S ystem a n d it s rela tively clo se d su b system s

- -

a r e o f fi nite dur a ti o n ha vi n g begi nni n g s a n d e n ds

, .

Worlds it i s sugge sted ha ve c a reer s i n whi ch a

, ,

certa i n fun d of muta bility c a n be spe n t a n d n o

more They strike the mi n d a s m o vi n g sl owly but
.
,

fa ta lly to wa rd a da y o f doo m They a r e perh a ps

,
.
, ,

a ll experime n t s a n d there i s a tide i n their a ffa ir s

, ,

which ma y or ma y n ot le a d on to fortu n e but which ,

h a s i t s i n evit a ble turn .

Sugge s derivi n g the se fun ds o f muta Ulti m te

ti on s for a

bilit y i ndefin i tely fro m pri o r sub sy stem s a n d S ystem s ?f

figég fi
f
l - ‘
r r

a r e n o t sa ti sfa ctory Th e ul tim a te o rigi n o f the E gi

”
.
n er es .

“
En ergies
”
mus t be s ought a s Berg so n him self ,
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
c o n clude s i n a n extra spa tia l so urce
,
-
Ha vi n g .
1

“
n o further u se for the En ergy s ymb oli sm we -
,

retur n t o n a ked met a physic s t o t a ke a cc oun t on ly

o f the a ctivity o f the Im a gi n a l I D E A There i s .

a ssuredl y c a p a city for wo rk of a p syc hi c a l o r

s piritu a l ki n d here ; a n d it i s n o s ecret h o w we

a r e g o i n g to re a d the symb o li sm whi ch h a s be e n

di scu ssed Th e repre se n t a tive fict i on o f scie n ce

.
-
,

En ergy st a n ds for co n te n t a ctivitie s co n serva

,
-
,

tive a n d cre a tive of the pla stic I D EA a n d a ll eged

,

m o de s o f En ergy ma sk a lwa ys m o de s o f c on sci o u s

a nd sci o u s life Th e implic a tio n s of our trea t
.

men t o f co ns ci o u sn ess a n d a ctivity ( Pa rt II Cha p I . . .

2 17) a r e bei n g dr a wn fo rth i n to the light

-
.

Though you ca n use a s ymboli sm of the degra da

ti on of En ergy , yo u mus t n ot t a ke it t oo s eri
”

u l
o s y a n d degr de the Wo rld
a - ystem a s well This S .

s ystem does n ot begi n with mere m o ti on s a n d m a ss

p a rticle s a n d it does n ot e n d i n
, he a t i e ,
”
. .

m o veme n ts di stributed i n a u ni form wa y a mo n g

s uch p a rticles S itua tion s of thi s cla ss belon g t o
.

the N everl a n d o f a bstra cti on s a n d represen ta tive

ficti on s .

Th e u ni forml y di stributed he a t sta ge o f ele

me n t a ry vibra ti on s spi n s a n d wo bbles might be
, ,

reg a rded a s a wa y o f sym boli si n g the s eni lity of

a S y stem Th e fo rmer very c o mplex life phe n o
.
-

me n a o f the S ystem h a ve ce a sed but the simple ,

rel a ti on s o f v ery humble s orts of senti en ts ( repre

s e n ted by the phys ici s t a s p a rticle s s till occur .

Th e m oveme n t s exp ress i ng these rela ti on s a re uh

c o ordi n a te
- — th a t is t o sa y they l a ck o verr ul i n g
,

1 Crea ti v e Evoluti on , English t r a n sla ti on , p . 2 58 .

 CHAP TER III

THE GR U N
O D OF E V OLU TION

1 . IN the Hegeli a n s ystem Rea son is a t o n ce the

S ubsta n ce a n d the i n fini te En ergy Of the
“

Un iverse si n ce Re a son i s n ot so p o werle ss a s t o

be i n c a p a ble o f pro ducin g a n ythi n g but a mere
”
idea l a mere i n te n ti o n
, While it i s exclu sively
.

i t s o wn b a sis o f exi ste n ce a n d a b solute fin a l a i m

, ,

it i s a l so the e n ergi si n g p ower re a li si n g thi s a im ;

devel opi n g it n ot onl y i n the phe n o me na o f
the Na tura l but a l so o f the S piritu a l Uni ver se
,

Re s ta t emen t the Hi story o f the Wo rld Th a t thi s Ide a o r .

r ‘f he
i figfg ifi
L
’
s a s Re a son i s the Tr ue the Eter na l the a b solutely
, ,

p o w e rf u l e s s e n ce th a t it reve a l s it self i n the World ,

a n d th a t i n th a t Wo rld n o thi n g el s e i s reve a led

1—
bu t t hi s a n d it s h on o ur a n d gl ory thi s i s the
m a i n hyp othe si s o f the Hegeli a n philo so phy Thi s .

fa m ou s hyp othe si s i s th a t o f the R a ti o n a l I D E A We .

h a ve s ub stituted for it experime n ta lly th a t o f the

Im a gi n a l I D EA o r C I . . Fo r we h a ve bee n u n a ble t o
derive c o n crete flo wi n g Na ture a n d the va riety o f
Hi story fro m Re a so n ; h a ve bee n u n a ble t o cre di t
Re a so n with t h e requi site p o wer or t o a ll o w th a t ,
”

a n a bs tr a cti o n ,
re a ched by the ig n ori n g o f the pa r
t i c ul a r i t y o f thi n g s a n d o f a ll a ffective life ca n ,

p osse ss a n y a i m imm a n e n t or other which it

,
”
,

1
Hegel s
’
P hilosop hy o
f Hi story Sibree s ,
’
t r a n sla ti on , p . 10 .

42 6
 THE GROUND OF E O V LUTION
re a li ses .Witho ut do ubt the Hegeli a n Rea son ,

de spite thes e defects i s prefera ble to the plur a li sm

,

with whi ch some too a bstra ct m o dern thi n ker s ,

e n a m our ed like He g el with l ogic seek t o i n terpre t

, , ,

t h e Uni ver se But it i s i n suffi cien t to fur n i sh tha t

.

i n clu sive gra sp o f re a lity which we de sidera te

lea ve s t oo much u ncomp rehend ed i e n o t gr a sped ,
. .

”
together i n i t s wo rld vi e w We o n the c on tr a ry
,
-
.
, ,

s ee m t o h a ve f o u n d i n the C I a ll th a t va riety o f . .

c on te n t
, p ower purp osiven e ss a n d even a ffe c
,
”
,

tive bein g which i s requi site for the expl a i ni n g o f

Evoluti o n reg a rded n ot i n a ridicul o u sly sha ll o w
,

mecha n i stic wa y but a s the rich c o n crete flo wi n g

,

tha t exp er i en ce s ho ws it t o be Th e pro te a n im a gi n a l .

a ctivity a t o n ce precipit a te s Na ture a n d t a ke s s h a pe

i n t h e k n o wn f orm s o f fin ite c on sci o u s experie n ce ,

“ ”
i n cludi n g tho se l a bell e d c ollectively a s Re a son .

Re a so n a s it a ppe a rs i n u s i s deriva ble from the R i

,

crea tive a ctivity o f the Im a gi n a l I D EA But he p t Im

f ,
m f th
.
ea son
or
r o ea n
o
s a
e

i l I EA
woul d be a bold ma n wh o ide n tifyi n g Ultima te g
,
a na D .

Re a lity with Re a so n tried t o derive even hu ma n ,

”

cre a tive im a gi ni n g fr om thi s a rid gro un d .

It i s the a ctivity o f the Im a gi n a l I D EA which i s Whi h I EA

b
c D
h
exp on e nts o y mb li d as e en
s ymb o li se d u n witti n gly by m o der n s o se
u wi tt i g ly
the tra n sform a ti on s o f En ergy Th e tra n s i t h t h i n n

form a ti o n s o f the I D EA i n Na ture le n d them selve s b t

n e e or es

E rgy
a ou
,
ne .

a s we sa w i n gre a t me a sur e t o t hi s symb oli sm

,
.

But the symb oli sm a pplied t o the sphere o f co n ,

sci o u s life wo rks a t a di sa dva n ta ge s i n ce there

, ,

the c omplex c o n te n t s obv i ous a nd di rectly a wa red

, ,

c o n tra st to o s h a rply with the m e a gre symboli si n g

formul a e e mplo yed An d it brea ks do wn ho pe .

le ssly i n m ul titude s o f c a ses e g o ver expl a n a ti o ns ,

. .

of the tra ns forma ti o ns implied by fa lli ng in lo ve

 THE W ORLD AS IMAGINATION
or i n ve n ti n g a n ew theory of the i n fini te Thus .
,

whi le n oti n g tha t we t olera te the s ymb o li sm up t o

a p oi n t we n o te a l so th a t we h a ve t o di spe n se with
,

it when i t s i n a dequa cy i n fa ce of the experie n ced

,

fa cts bec o mes too i n si sten t t o be o verloo ked We

, .

a re n ot a lwa y s h a r n e ssed t o pr a ctice but a r e so me ,

time s on the tr a il o f n a ked truth .

2 . No w we
b o ut to c on sider the C I o r
a re a . .

Im a gi n a l ID EA a s the gro un d o f Evoluti on An d .

,

by a greeme n t o nl y a s gro u n d o f the Becomin g of

,

our o wn Wo rld S ystem i e the S ystem t o whi ch

-
, . .

belo n g a ll the st a r s st a r clu ster s spira l n ebul a e

,
-
, ,

g a se ou s n ebula e su n pl a n et s etc etc c a t a logued

, , ,
. .
,

by a stron o my a n d the a llied hi story of u s a ni m a l

,

a n d hum a n se n tie n t s It g oes a lm ost witho ut sa y

.

i ng th a t thi s Wo rld S ystem ma y i n clude n umberle s s

-

o ther u n di s c o vered pl a ce s o f ev oluti o n a n d s o rt s

o f se n tie n t s u n seen su b system s c on n ected with -

the physic a l order a n d a s yet un detected bei n gs

m a sked by the physic a l order itself There i s h a rdly .

a n y c a ll to pre ss s uch p oi n t s o n the s a n e re a der .

We ha ve t o a llow tha t o ur World S ystem ma y be -

i n defini tely gre a ter a n d m ore c o mplex tha n o ur

crude sen sible percepti on s ( whi ch sub serve i n the ,

m a i n simply n eed s o f o ur p resen t p ra cti ca l life)

,

s uggest Allo w n for thi s fully we h a ve t o a sk

.
,

h o w the va s t ch a n gi n g c o mplex c a me t o be a n d ,

Wh a t a r e the dr ive a n d urge m a n ife st i n i t s Bec o mi n g .

We a re a greed a s t o the ultim a te source of t hi s

Bec omi n g whi ch loo m s o n u s o ut of ro lli n g mi sts
,

a lm ost t oo de ns e for vi si o n Th e so urce it self the .

,

C I i s i n dic a ted un der o n e a spect i n the Hera

. .
, , ,

clei t a n co n cept of the primitive Fire fro m which ,

 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION
of thi s c on serva tive a ctivity a t a n y ra te a s hypo , ,

the si s There i s n o getti n g ch a n ge time s ucce s

.
,
-

si o n s p ac e
, c a u sa ti on etc o u t o f a s ta tic un ity
, , .
,

Th e p i i plg i n va riety which i s i n ert o r de a d Th e C I wo ul d

-

m ement in thi s c a se be devoid o f a n a tive pri n ciple o f

r nc . . .
,
Of ov

,
'

a n d i n c a p a bl e of p a ssi n g i n to n o vel
”
m oveme n t ,

fo rm s i e i n to cre a ti o n a t a ll
,
. . Si n ce it does so , .

”
p a ss we a ssume un he sit a ti n gly the
,
pri n ciple ,

a n d we s h a ll fin d t h e l a tter verified perpetu a lly a n d ,

ever m ore clea rly a s we pro ceed We sh a ll detect , .

,

i n deed i n the pri n ciple o f im a gi n a l a ctivity or sp on

,

t a n ei t y ( whether a pplied to the pro blem o f the

origi n a l Cre a tive Appul se o r t o s uch very c o n tra sted
topic s a s i n org a ni c c a u sa ti o n org a n ic va ri a ti on , ,

hum a n free will so ci a l progre ss a n d so fo rth ) the , , ,

’
s ecret dyn a mic which Hegel s di a lectic a l metho d
o verl oo ked bu t whi ch n evertheless pr ov ided for tha t
,

method the s i tua ti on s whi ch Hegel ci ted mi sta ken ly

i n i ts s up p ort . I
wa re th a t thi s i s a n e n ormous a m a

cla im but a m sa ti sfied tha t it ca n be m a de g ood

, ,

a s so o n a s the sa id situ a ti o n s a r e reviewed i n the

n e w light To s ub sta n ti a te the cl a im i s ju st t o

1
.

sh o w th a t the hi s t o ry o f cre a ti o n i s o n e l o n g illu s

t r a t i on o f the truth o f the hyp o the sis There i s n o .

other wa y I n tuiti o n s u nl e ss tre a ted a s hyp othe se s

2
.
, ,

a r e w ort hl e s s t o phil oso phy a n d tre a ted a s hypo , ,

r ki th m th m ti i tri t k p th m
th e lin ge in g ss , e a e a c an es o ee e sa e

pr bl m b f r hi mi d A d i fr tri i g g i th
o e e o e s n . n n ee s v n a a n, e e sse n

ti l (
a th t t h
on ce w i m gi l r ti
a h m i t b i g
e ne a na c ea on a s co e n o e n

an dh b as pt d th b t lt r ti i th h ldi g
ee n a cce e as e es a e na ve s e o n

of th id
e whi h I will t pr il i th f
ea ,
”
f i
c o ev a , n e o cu s O co n sc ous

n ess ; t i lly
a n e s se n r ti t a c on s e v a v e ac .

Cf
1 t t hi t g
a riti i m f th H g li di l ti
s s a e ou r c c s s o e e e an a ec c

i r l p w r ph r m th d f thi k
.

m r p hil ” ’
a un v e sa t o e , no a e e oso e s e o o n

i g— i P rt I Ch p IV
n n a 3 12 13 14 15
. a . .
, , , , .

I t r d ti
2
n 5
o uc on , .
 THE GROUND OF E O V LUTION
the se s they requi re u s to loo k stra ight a t rea litie s
, ,

to which they a re sa id t o a pply or h old o ur pe a ce , .

Co nsidered p a rt fro m cre a tive epi sod e s ( which C i d

a “
on s er e d
t i m
ma y or ma y n ot a lter n a te W1t h n on c r ea t l v e dur a gfj gt i g -
v

ti o n s ) the C I i s i n p oi n t o f con ten t a sta tic re a li ty

. .
,
Pi d
, ,
e s° eS °

the a cc ompli shed etern a l perfecti o n which i s n ot , ,

h owever timele ss but e n dure s ,

1
It s cons ci o u s ,
.

n e ss the c o n ti n uum of thi s c o n te n t i s the side o f i t s

, ,

ide n tity ; i s the a ctive gra sp for which the di ffer

e mee s o f the c on ten t a r e together n ot a Mul tiver se
“
,

but a spects o f a Un iver se Here we de tect the .

fun da me n t a l sta n di n g of con sci o usn e ss or ra ther ,

( a s we o ught s trictly s pe a ki n g t o s a,y) o f c on , ,

sc ious i n g or cc a wa r i n g ; we a re c on sideri n g n o -

mere rel a ti on but the gro u n d o f rel a ti o n s n o ,

”

a dditi o n t o a give n c o mpre sen ce o f somehow

i n depen de n t thi n gs but the gra sp a ctivity which ,
-

tha t c o mpre sen ce pre supp oses .

1 I a m n ot a t a ll clea r as to wh a t i s mea nt by the ti meless

r ea li ty of a n ythi n g sa v e th e consci ou sn e ss si de of the C I
b tr r r l ti rg d
. .

a s a ctly con si de ed . S ome ha v e u e th a t e a on s a re

ti m l b t r l ti
e e s s, i mply t rm
u e a d h l d th on s t rm e s, a n s ou ese e s cease

t o end th r l ti
ur e, w ld m t e e a i i t bly
on s w ll ou see o cea se n ev a as e

i d r th r l t i f r m bl b tw tw h d f d
.

C on s e e e a on o es e a n ce e ee n o s a es o re

wi th th i hi g f t h r d fr m t h U i r
.

It i h
v an s es e v an s n o e e s o e n v e se

i d r t h r l ti f r mbl i ge r l If i t
.

C ons e e e a on o e se a n ce n ne a n s a n c es

f q
.

o f mbli g t r m (
res e f r l ti
n b t w t rm
e s or o e a on s e ee n e s , or o uan

ti ti whi h l i mply t rm )
es , c a so t b br gh t t mi d e s ca nn o e ou o n a re

th w rd b r 2 W rld r l ti
,

d t t t h i
‘
e o y s u se an e e a n a n o se o - e a on s, on e

m y a r i t by gr f th
av e , ex s i f whi h t h i r
a ce o e con sc ou sn ess or c e

t rme t g th r
s a re It h b rg d by th w y th t t rm
o e e . as een a ue e a a a e
b r l t d
,

b r ly r hr
,

ca n e i t lf b t t h
e a e t ti
to se , u e c on e n on a e con ce n s u s e e

i hi g t rm f thi ki d w ld rry i t i t r l
.

F or( ) a a v an s n e o s n ou ca s n e na

r l ti t p rditi wi th it lf d ( b) t rm id t b r l t d
e a on o e on se , an a e sa o e e a e

i t hi w y p i t i f t t b t rm di ff r b tw
,

n s a o n s, n ac o su - e s or
, , e en ces e ee n

whi h th r l ti h ld J h S mi th g i id tity
c e e a on o s . o n ,
”
e s an en

f di ff r b r id tity r l t d t it lf
. .
,

o t
e ences , no a a e en e a e o se .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

Con sci o u sn es s i s true un iversa l ide n tic a l in a ll

a ,

the i n sta n ce s which a r e sa id to s ha re it Yo u .

c a nn ot supp ose tha t a wa ri ng i s ra di c a lly di fferen t

i n the c a se s of m o u se ma n or superhum a n fr o m , ,

wh a t it i s i n the C I the o ce a n o f the i n fin ite it self

. . .

But o f c o ur s e the con ten ts a wa red fur ni s h con

, ,

t ra st s i n deed .

Wh y th er e Writer s ften trea t loosely o f

o di fferi n g c on
ca n n ot be an
“
ev olu t i on
”
f sc i o u sn e ss
o , of”
c ons ci o usn es s tha t ma y be
dorm a n t a n d very freque n tly of the
, e v o lu

ti o n o f c on sciou sn es s Th e a spect s o f c o n sciou s

.

n e s s a n d c o n te n t a r e c o n fu sed In virtue o f this .

muddl e the ,
evolutio n o f c on sciousn e ss is a
fa vour ite theme o f yo u n g philo so phers : I fin d it
figuri n g i n my o wn e a rlier works There i s a n d there .
,

c a n be n o s uch evo luti o n

,
a n d for the f o ll o wi n g ,

mo st excelle n t re a so n Evoluti o n t a ke s pl a ce
.

a s a rom a n ce wi thi n the C I who s e c on ti n uity i s . .

,

n o other tha n con sci ous ness i tself l The finite ce n tre
o f co n s ciou sn e ss a llied with conten t i n the e v o lu
,

t i o n a ry pro ce ss i s ju st thi s sa me c on ti n uity th a t

,

i s gra spi n g a re stricted field Let us m a ke use of .

met a phor .Th e cl o ud m a sse s h a ve n ot evolved -

th a t sh a ft o f s un light which I see i n the di sta n ce .

There i s the sun which i s pre supp os ed by the very

o rigi n o f the cloud m a sses a n d which i s n o w merely
-
,

s h o wi n g thr o ugh them a t a p a rticul a r s p o t .

Con si de ed r Co n sidered a s i n cludi n g cre a tive epi sode the C I ,

. .

as i n clu di n g
c r ea t i v e
i n clude s a lo n g with it re a l cha n ge or time succe s -

e pi s ode .

si on .Now i n my specious presen t I ca n be

a wa re o f s uccess i v e ph a se s o f a revo lvi n g wheel o r

o f a mel o dy which a r e n everthele ss give n s im ul

, , ,
 THE W OR L D AS IMA GINATION
suppo siti on together i n the C I
,
wha t the n i s the . .
, ,

fo rm i n which they a r e a wa re d In a time reg a rd ,

t o limit o ur a dve n ture s trictly they a r e s i mul ,

ta n eous a spect s o f a ch a n gele ss wh ole th a t e n dures .

Thi s s imul t a n eity i s the m a nn er o f c o mpre se n ce o r

t ogethern e ss o f di ffere n t c o n te n t a spect s t o the
1 -

C I A fun da me n ta l time rela ti o n i s see n t o imply

. .
-

b o th the ide n tity of the c o n sci o u sn e ss a n d the differ

ences o f the c o n te n t s which sh o w withi n it A clue .

t o the riddl e of rel a tio n s i n ge n era l i s o fl ere d us a t

2
the sa me time .

There a re p a ti a lly rel a ted di ffere n ce s withi n

no s

the h a rm on i o u s c o n te n t For sp a ce a s we perceive .

,

it implie s c o exi sten t p ositi on s : a rel a ted m a n y which

,

a r e m o re o r le ss exclu sive o r o pp os ed a n d w hi ch , ,

u n a ble t o meet without c on fli ct exi st a longside of ,

o n e a n o ther S p a ce i s the c on ten t va riety i n a

.
-

n o vel form o r m a n n er o f exi ste n c e i n which the ,

differe n ce s h a ve broke n a wa y fro m the re stful

h a rm o n y o f i n terpe n etra ti o n a n d fro m on e a n other .

It i s a regi on o f m a rked externa li ty a s a Hegeli a n , ,

“
of On
”
dete n si o n a s a Berg so n i a n wo uld s a y
,
.

the o ther h a n d we mu st n ot forget th a t the origi n a l

,

h a rm on y c o mpri se s the m a n y c o n te n t s n o t ,

i n t o a t o ta l which a b oli she s their p a rticul a r

a c t er s but a s di s ti n ct th o ugh s ubordi n a ted ele
, , ,

i n wh a t the C I a wa r e s a s a totu m s i mul

. . .

m a n y simulta n e o u s poi n t s o f di ffe r e n ce wh i ,

a long wi th th o ugh n o t o uts ide o n e a n o ther

, , ,

the p o ssibility o f s p a ce We sh a ll be a ble .

l a ter t he c o n diti o n s u n der which thi s

c omes t o p a ss It i s a ge n ui n e cre a
.

1
Cf Indi vidua l
. a nd Rea li ty, p 2 76
rl
. .

2
On e a ti o n s ,
”
f
c . r
Pa t II . Ch a p IV
. . 6 .
 THE GROUND OF E O V LUTION
a cc o un t o f the uni versa l pri n ciple of mo veme n t
i s b o u n d to i n clude .

S uch the b a sic time rela ti on

is o n w hi ch ,

i n the c a se o f a n a s ce n t Wo rld S y stem s ucce ssi o n -

, ,

c o exi ste n ce a n d the c a u sa l dyn a mic a re t o superve n e

,
.

Rela ti on s a n d terms wo ul d be i nn umera ble

for him wh o c oul d expl ore the o ce a n o f the i n fini te ,

They a r e a t be st h o wever n a me s for a b str a ctly

, ,

rega rded a spects o f a c on crete tota l o f immedi a tely

a wa r e d c o n te n t n ot for
”
e n titie s
,
whi ch exi st ,

so meh o w i n depe n de n tly o f the t o t a l a n d o f o n e

a n o ther as a , s tude n t o f n e o re a li s tic plura li sm -

might c on te n d An d i n view o f o ur pre sen t pre

.

do mi n a n t i n tere st to wit the met a physics o f the

, ,

cre a ti o n o f a s ubordi n a te Wo rld S ystem we a re -

,

ha ppily a ble t o le a ve thi s i n fini t u de o f rel a ti on s

to a n a lyst s better equi pped th a n we c a n pre t e n d
t o be a n d pro ceed f orthwith t o sugge s t ho w t h e
,

Na ture o f our o wn pa rtic ul a r World S ystem emerged -

fro m the ha rm o ni o us dur a ti on to fa ll i n to imper

fe ct ion c o nfli ct a n d cha n ge
, , .

A G ERM IN AL WORL D -
S Y S EMT

4 . germi n a l Wo rld S
A the I niti a l S it ua
-
ystem —
ti on from which the philoso phers Na ture a n d ’

—
Hi story a r e t o be evolved exi sts a s a thought
withi n t h e c on ten t o f the C I Nothi n g ha ppen s . .

withi n thi s thought : there i s the e n duri n g o f a

c omplex ide a the h a rmo n i ou sly pe n etra ti n g a spects
,

of which s u ffe r n o ch a n ge The ide a c o mpri se s a

.

ma n y — o therwi se it wo uld be a n empty bla nk

—
ide n tity devo id o f cha ra cter but it doe s so witho ut
sho wi n g a n i n n er c o n flict o r u nre s t It repea ts i n .
,
 THE WORLD As IMAGINATION

s ho rt ,
the fin ite sc a le the a ctivity o f re st ch a r
on ,

a c t er i st i c o f the C I i n which it lie s

. Ho w do e s
. .

it p a ss fro m thi s ch a n gele ss or c o n serva tive sta te

i n to the c orrupti on o f time succe ssi o n To r e -

tra ce the pro ce ss i s t o provide the o pe n i n g porti on

o f the met a phy sic s o f Ev oluti o n required .

But let u s fir st m a ke a n a ttempt to sta te m ore

preci sely the ge n era l ch a ra cter o f thi s germi n a l
Wo rld S ystem ; the I ni ti a l S itu a ti o n so fa r a s we
-

s eem a ble t o c o mpr e he n d it Thi s c a n be d o n e .

c on ve ni e n tly un der the follo wi n g he a ds

I . THE I N ITIAL S UA IT TION OR G E RMIN AL W ORL D

SY S TE M Is N OT
“
H O M O G E N E OU S ,
”
i . s . A LK
I E

ALL T HR U GH
O IN R SPE E CT OF IT S C O N TE N T S

We h a ve urged a lre a dy tha t it i s n o bl a n k ide n

tity but h a s a cha ra cter o f i t s o wn It i s n ece ssa ry
,
.
,

ho wever t o i n si st stre n uo u sly o n thi s fe a t ur e

, .

°
La rge n umbers of evoluti oni sts so c a lled a im a t ,
-
,

whittli n g do wn c omplexity t o a mi ni mum a s we ,

s a w i n the fir s t ch a pter Of thi s p a rt Th e irre .

du c i ble mi ni mum with which they c on struct our

,

System seem s t o swi n dl e us out o f the rich kn o w

,

ledge with which u n sophi stic a ted e xperie n ce i s big .

It re semble s the few dry fibre s o f a pre ssed le a f

which we c o mp a re with a spl en did livi n g tre e whe n ce
it c a m e Ab stra ct thi n ker s like S pen cer m a teri a li sts
.
, , ,

En ergy the ori st s a n d the like o ver simplify thu s

-
, ,

o n the gre a t s c a le .

m a n n er o f whi ttlin g do wn r e a lity pro ceed s

On e
thu s It i s a sked
.
— wha t a re the fewe st ge n era l
la ws fr om which we ca n deduc e the rem a i ni n g
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
ag a i n is tha t o f p sychologic a l ide a li sm We ho w
, .
,

ever a re ide a li st s o f a n other sort a n d we pro ceed

, ,

to pre ss o ur a dva n ta ge thu s If there a re so very .

m a n y ultim a te la ws withi n hum a n experie n ce ,

h ow m a n y m o re a re there i n the World S ystem t o -

which we s e n tie n t s bel o n g ? For the S ystem be ,

it remembered lies withi n the Co smic Im a gi ni n g ;

,

fra gme n t s o nl y of which a re s a mpled by wh a t hum a n

experien ce reve a l s Cle a rly we h a ve re a ched a for
.

mi da ble i n defin ite plura li ty of

”

, ul tim a te l a w s ,

a n d the a t t empt t o simplify the wo rld h a s br o ke n

down .

Nevertheles there i s n o w ta lk of i n definitely

s,

m a n y l a ws a n d we ma y be th o ught therefore t o
, , ,

h a ve e sc a ped fro m heteroge n eity a fter a fa shi o n .

Th e l a ws s eem perh a p s to h a ve s hed their gro ss

, , ,

s e n sible emb o dime n t s a n d t o Offer u s a rel a tively

,

pure i n tellectu a l a tm o sphere i n which to bre a the .

An d a n y on e

l a w i mpli es
Va i n thought ! La ws a s we ha ve urged a lrea dy a re
, ,

m le x n o t su er se n si ble e n t i t i e s but expre h a bit s a nd

a v er y c o p s s , ,

ba ckgr oun
e a ch of the s e h a bit s u n derlyi n g o ur hum a n ge n era l
,

i sa t i o n s implie s a n i n defin ite m ul tiplicity o f a ge n t s

,

which we phil oso pher s a t a n y r a te da re n ot ig n ore

, ,
.

Thu s the la w of Gra vity so u n d s simple e n o ugh .

It sa ys th a t every p a rticle a ttra ct s every o ther

p a rticle with a fo rce di rectly pro p orti on a l t o
it s m a ss a n d va ryi n g i n ver sely a s the s qua re of
,
”

it s di st a n ce But wha t lie s behi n d the c on ve n ie n t

.

“ “ “
s ymb ol s p a rticle force ,
m a ss a n d so fo rth ?
”
,
”
,
”

A c o smic situ a ti on a n tip o da l t o the ide a ls o f

s implicity a n d h o m o ge n eity Th e beh a vi o ur o f .

gra vita ti n g b o die s a s se n sibly perceived expre sse s

, ,

the beh a vi o ur o f the i n defin itely n umero us mi nor

s e n tie n t s wh os e rel a tio n s lie a t the he a rt o f Na ture .
 THE G R OU N D V LUTION
OF E O

The h a bits of the se se n tien ts a re sta ble if i n some ,

c a se s the y va ry fro m time to time the un sta ble

, ,

exc e pti o n s a re too few to a ffect n oticea bly the to ta l

re s ult Th e up sho t i s cert a i n
. uni formiti e s of
“
s urfa ce phe n o me n a ;
-
a n d the s e a re the fa ct s
a b o ut w hi ch a ge n er a l s t a teme n t i s m a de i n the

la w .

Ultim a te l a ws i n the se n se o f po ssible ge n er a li sa

,

ti on s a r e thu s i n defin itely n umero u s

,
Ea ch o f .

them a g a i n implie s a b a ckgrou n d o f very gre a t

, ,

c omplexity which o u r pra ctic a l thi n ki n g ma y

ig n ore but c a n n ot suppress There i s n o e n c o ur a ge
, .

”
me n t i n thi s qua rter for the cult o f homoge n eity .

Fi n a lly the h a bit s whi ch ch a ra cteri se the di ffere n t La w

,
s
1
°

m a j or a n d mi n or of o ur Wo rld fgggf fd
11
s e n t l e n t a ge n t s , , n v ve

System bei n g o nly rela tively sta ble l a ws ma y

, ,

c o me a n d go Clea rly a system i n which s uch m “ mm ? “ M1 1

m
.
,
y d a co e an

h a bl t s c a n a ri s e a n d ce a se 1s m o re tha n the se h a b1t s s

0

Th ,
o . e
,
md ac
a n d c a nn o t
p o s s 1b1
y be u n der s t oo d so lely by refer m t Zl re

e n ce t o them We S h a ll ha ve so methi n g t o sa y l a ter

.

a b o ut the ge n e si s o f c a u sa l l a w s o r r a ther o f the

,

h a bits or con ser va ti ve modes of p sychi ca l a cti v i ty

, ,

whi ch u n derlie them .

There i s thu s n o ho pe o f derivi n g Na tur e fro m a

“
la w o r h a n dful o f l a ws which p oi n t t o a
primitive ho m o ge n eity which p a s se s so meho w
a n d sl o wly i n t o heterogen eity It i s true th a t
.

the I n iti a l S itua tio n c a nn ot be s o rich i n va ri e ty a s

the cre a tive sta ge s by which it i s follo wed But it .

i s a l so very rich b e fo r e e vo luti on begi ns

, , It i s .
,

i n de e d a n ima gi n a l c omplex which a b stra ct thi n kers

,

will a lwa ys S implify i n va i n .

 THE WORL D AS IM A GINATION
II . ON P RIM ITIVE AGEN TS P
IN D E EN D EN T OF

CA U S A TION
Th e c o n ceptio n of a c o mplex I ni ti a l S itu a ti on ,

which bec o me s m ore c ompl e x still d oveta il s exa ctly ,

with a the o ry o f crea ti ve evoluti on It implie s .

,

a l so th a t the I niti a l S itu a ti on c o mpri se s a spect s

,

or a ge n t s th a t a r e n o t them selve s c a u sa lly e x

plic a ble a t a ll No thi n g i s h a ppen i n g wi thi n the
.

I a o
de f the W o rld S y s tem
- — n ot hi n g a lter s The se .

a s pect s o r a ge n t s which a r e pre supp osed by

,

c a u sa tio n but a r e n ot them selve s a t the o ut set

immersed i n c a u sa l ch a n ge a r e the ge n ui n e c o ,

exi sten ce s i n depe n de n t of c a u sa ti on to wa rd which

Mill m oved in hi s Logi c D eriva tive la ws he .
,
”

write s ,
do n ot depe n d s olely o n the ul tim a te l a w s
i n to which they a re re so lva ble they m ostly depe n d
o n th os e ul tim a te l a w s a n d a n ultim a te f a ct n a mely , ,

t he m o de o f coexi ste n ce o f so me o f the comp on e n t

eleme n t s o f the un iver se The ul tima te la ws o f .

c a u sa ti o n might be the sa me a s a t pre se n t a n d yet ,

the deriva tive l a ws c o mpletely differe n t if the ,

c a u se s c o exi sted i n di ff ere n t prop orti o n s or with ,

a n y differe n ce i n tho s e o f their rel a ti o n s by which

Th e c oll o c a ti on o f
1 ”
the fa cts a re i n flue n ced .

the primitive n a tur a l a ge n t s requi site t o c a u sa

“
ti on c a n n ot he sa ys be reduced t o a n y la w
, , .
”

An d a g a i n : 2
Why the se p a rticul a r n a tura l a ge n t s
exi sted o rigi n a lly a n d n o o thers or why they a r e ,

c o mmi n gled i n such a n d such proporti on s a n d di s ,

tributed i n s uch a n d such a m a nn er t hr o ugho ut

s p a ce i s a que s ti o n we c a nn o t a n s wer
,
More tha n .

thi s : we c a n di scover n othi ng regul a r i n the di s

1
B k
oo III
. ch a p . xv i . 2 .

2
Ibid ,. cha p . v . 8 . Itali cs mi n e .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

s uch form the m a in i n tere st of scien ce There

as .

a r e n o ch a n ge s within it an d c on sequen tly n o

, , ,

ha bi ts o r c on serv a tive wa y s o f ch a n gin g D oes it .

“
c ompri s e re a l specie s or Kin ds va ri ou sly rel a ted ?
”

Well there a re theorie s a b o ut Kin ds which we

,

n eed h a r dl y tr o uble to di s cu s s s eri ou sly Th e y .

were c on structed on the suppo siti on tha t cha n ge

les s u n iversa l ide a s of the type of a bstra ct con cepts
a r e s o mehow superi or to their e x e mplific a t i on s

in c on crete experie n ce An a lleged ch a n gele ss

.

c on cept of pl a t in um in gen era l h a s been tre a ted ,

by a curi ou s pervers i on a s s omeh ow m ore re a l tha n

,

the bits of pl a tin um with their inn umera ble a ttr i

,

bute s which a r e sen sibly kn o wn

,
.

Th e Ima g i n al s . Th e World Ide a it self

-
the I n itia l S itua ti on
when ce ow Na ture a n d Hi st ory i s n ot a c on cept
fl —
o r s ub stitute f a ct which s t a n d s i n s o me on e s th in k
’
-
,

in g for a fa ct or fa ct s o th e r th a n it self
, It i s wh a t
.

Vesuviu s or the Ea rth would be t o me if my im a gin

i n g p ower s we re exp a n ded s uffi cien tly ; in s h o rt it ,

i s a n im a gin a l re a lity m ore a kin t o p e rcepti on th a n

a b str a ct thin kin g An d th ough it m a y c ompri se
.

wh a t a r e often c a lled u n iversa l s ( of c on ten t ) ,

we mu st give the se l a tter a n other n a me if we a r e

t o di stin gui s h them s h a rply fr o m the f a l s e c on cept
s ub st a n ce s j u s t n o ticed We c a n term them c on
.

v eni e n t ly Ima gi n a ls An y ide a l c on ten t which i s

.

s h a red o r s h a r e a ble by m a n y in st a n c e s i s a n Im a gin a l .

It i s c a lled so bec a u se it might be pre sen t t o the

im a gin in g of a superhum a n p ower j u s t a s a ro w
of a pple s c a n be pre se n t t o min e Th e Im a gin a l
.

i s n ot n ec e s sa rily a l oof fr om ch a n ge ; it i s fixed or

ch a n geful a s i ts in st a n ce s s erve t o decl a re .

Ima gin a ls like the Un i v ers a li a i n r ebus of the M iddle

,
 THE G R OU N D OF E O V L UTION
Age s ,
purely tra n scen den t rea litie s but a re
a r e n ot ,
”
emb odied a t a n y ra te in p a rt in the se in st a n ce s
, ,
.

It might be urge d p e rh a p s th a t a n Im a gin a l pri o r

, , ,

and
”
t o i t s S h ow in multiple in sta n ce s i s a n te r es , ,

tha t it i s then on ly a p a rticula r sub ide a within t h e -

c omplex Idea of the World But on e mu st go .

wa rily here for it ma y be th a t a n imm a n en t plura lity

,

or ma n in es s i s p a rt a n d p a rcel of it s orig in a l
bein g .

O nce more I cite the c a se of C ol our C ol our .

,

a s ch oolm a n might h a ve s a id i s n o t merely a c on c e pt

,

which we u se t o mea n a n y sen sible col our of a n y

hue or a ll such c ol ours ta ken t ogether but a l so a ,

con cep t s ubsta n ce

-
a n e s s en ce sub s i stin g tr a n sce n d
,

e n tly i n a n oetic re a lm a n d yet someh ow a n ,

e ssen ce in which kn own colours p a rticip a te S uper .

s e n s ible and cha n gele ss thi s c on cept sub sta n ce

,
-

s e e m s a f a n t a stic a n d oti o s e in ve n ti on But c on .

s ider C ol our n o w in a m ore m o dern wa a s ( )

1 u r
y o

worka da y c on c e p t a n d ( 2 ) a s Colou r con ten t a s it

,
-

a ppe a r s in the W orld S y stem— in o u r percepti o n s

-

a n d fa n cy a n d in the fa r l a rg e r regi on s beyon d .

No ( 2 ) brin g s u S t o the Im a gin a l

. C ol our s in the .

World S ystem form a sub ordin a t e sys tem or o rder

-

with a peculia r ide n tity of it s o wn Th e m a n y .

i n st a n ce s here cert a in ly sha re a c omm on ch a r

a cter . Th e y d o n ot h o wever , p a rt icip a te in a ,

“
c ol ourle ss ch a n geless
,
n o etic , form ( which in
fa ct exis t s on ly for reflection ) ; but a r e members
o f a s ystem o f va ried a n d ch a n ge a ble c ol our s co n ten t ,

in t h e c on s ci ou sn e ss o f the C I . .

Ima gin a ls ,then a re a m on g t he

, c oexi ste n ce s
i n de pen den t o f c a u sa ti on which an a me n ded
 4 44 THE W ORLD AS IM AGINATION
vers io n of Mill s primitive n a tura l a gen t s will in clude
’
.

O thers will a ri se in the c ourse of the crea tive ev olu

t i on a ry proce ss it s elf Th e y will be of a ll so rt s .
,

s o me h a vin g a sm a ll sphere of in flue n ce a n d S h o win g

in in st a n ce s i sol a ted in s p a ce a n d time o ther s ,

h a vin g a ra n ge exte n din g thr ough out the en tire

World S ystem S ome will ha ve very m a n y in
-
.

s t a n ce s n on e o f a n y n otice a ble s ign ifi c a n ce

, o ther s

few in sta n ces but th ose of c o mm a n din g imp ort a n ce

, .

S ome so fa r from bein g ch a n geless will r un through

, ,

i n evita bly m ort a l c a reer s e g such evolved n a tura l ,

. .

Ki n d s a s M ercury D ein osa ur Oa k va ryin g sl owly

, , ,

o r with s udde n mut a ti on s the while All a like .

illu stra te the mode s in which the Im a gin a l I D EA a t ,

on ce on e a n d ma n y w ork s in the tra n sform a ti on s

,

o f c on te n t .

III . F O RC E S AN D EN E RG IE S OF T HE I N ITIA L
S UA IT TION

The se re semble sn a ke s in there a r e n o n e Irel a n d— .

O ur previ ous di scu ssion s will ha ve m a de thi s p oin t

“ “
clea r . F orce s a r e ficti on s ; En ergy sp ec u

l a ti on i s symb ol o gy An d we wa n t n ot di sta n t .

s ymb oli sm but truth ,

.

All En ergy , a ll
qu a rter s refers u s t o c on
in ,
“
s ci ou s o r s ci ou s a ctivity c on serva tive o r cre a tive , .

All c on ten t ch a n ge s wh a tever they seem prim a r ily

-
,

fo r us m a
, sk s e n tie n t o r a wa r in
g life O ur pr o gre ss .

will depen d on thi s vita l c on ten tion be in g true .

Th e c on ten ti on mu st be m a de g oo d thr o ugh i t s

a pplic a ti on o r u se .
 I I U . L 1 1 131 VV u n u u £ 1 0 A LH A U L LV A I L U J.‘
. .

cre a tion la stin g onl y a fi ni te t ime a n d b oun d s due to

the limited c on ten t c on dition s pre sen t a t it s birth
-
.

O ur prin ciple of m ovemen t a s will be seen is , ,

n o t a m a gici a n a ble t o c on struct n oveltie s o u t o f

a v o id It impro vi ses like a S ha ke spea re a m on g

.
,

o ur s elve s on a b a s i s of given c on dition s whi ch

,

impo se gen uin e th ough el a stic restricti on s on

, ,

cre a tive p ower .

he me a sure a s eviden t in the time pr oce ss

Turn in g t o
iffifiifiégg
-
, ,
s
we fin d it very in tere stin gly ill u stra ted in the rel a
tive prop orti on s of the Ki n ds o f exi sten t s or Na ture
c on ten t s c a lled by the ch e mi st e lemen t s ( n o t
t o n otice the mea sure s in which such elemen t s
meet in the ir chemic a l rela ti on s ) The se pro p o r .

—
ti on s a r e o f e n orm ou s signi fica n c e so a lso a r e the
m o de s o f di stributi on which ch a ra cteri se them .

Two ill u stra ti on s ou t o f s c ore s a va il a ble will s uffice .

B o th c on cern the di stributi on of the very sm a ll

qu a n tity o f a n ev olved exi sten t ra dium Thi s , .

Na ture c on ten t which o ccupies a n a lm ost n egligible

-
,

exten t o f sp a ce h a s with a l in di spen sa ble fu n cti on s

, , ,
.

Th e ra dium in surfa ce r o ck s a n d so ils a n d th a t ,

e s tim a ted a s bei n g pre se n t o n the s a me s c a le in t h e

u n derlyin g cru st t o a de pth o f fifty mile s c a n m a ke ,

g o o d it s eem s the wa st a ge o f the e a rth s he a t by

, ,
’

ra di a ti on ( S trutt ) 1
But a rela tively triflin g in
.

cre a s e in the a m oun t s o f the u n st a ble ele men t s

di stribut e d through out t h e e a rth might ren der t h e
pl a n e t un i n ha bita ble o r even c a u se it t o expl o de .

Th e divin ity o f me a sur e ”

c ompel s t h e re spect
e v e n o f the g o d s .

1
Ur a n iu m a nd th oriu m, whi h c c on s pi r e to t he sa me r esul t ,

a r e n o t a llo wdf e or i n t he c a lcula ti o n .

 IMMAN ENT D ESIG N

Con sider a ga in the p a rt pla yed by ra dium em a n a

ti on s in prom otin g the sl o w oxida ti on of the n itr o gen
o f the a ir a pr o ce ss o f such imp ort a n c e for pl a n t
,

life. Ho w much ra dium suffice s for the work

An d wh a t if it were n ot o pera tive

Study the evoluti on a ry Na ture proce ss c a refully -

with these fa cto rs o f prop orti on a n d di stributi on well

before the min d a n d yo u will n ot fin d it e a sy t o
,

di spen se even provi s i on a ll y with the hyp othe si s of

a primeva l i mm a n e n t de s ign Cha lm e rs cited by Ch lm .
,
a ers on
“
Mill urged e ffectively tha t though design is £ 333
,

presen t everywhere the irre si stible eviden ce o f it ,

i s t o be fo u n d n ot in t h e la ws of Na ture but i n the ,

colloca ti on s i e i n the p a rt o f Na tur e i n which it i s

, . .

imp ossible t o tra ce a n y la w ( un if ormity ) There .

i s n o de sign le t u s a dd o ut s ide the Wo rld S ystem

, ,
-

it se lf in which it i s expre ssed It precede s la w .

a s the m a nn er i n which the a spect s o f the Wo rld

Idea c omp e n etra te ha rm on i ou sly Mech a n i stic a n d Obj t . e c ors to

Of
a g n ostic hyp othe se s a p a rt m a n y o bj ecti on s ha ve,

bee n ra i sed t o de sign directed in a c on tr overs ia l , ,

i n tere st a ga in st some p a rticula r religi on or b a sed

,

o n fra nk di s gu st with the in fern a l a n d s tupid s ide o f

the time proce ss We a r e n ot c on cern ed with the

-
.

th e ologia n s a n d the ir a n ta g on i sts But we sha ll .

h a ve t o de a l very seri ou sly with the pr oblem pre

s e n ted by the i n fern a l a n d stupid s ide o f lif e ; the

pr oblem so vividly rea lis e d by Mill S ch open h a u e r , ,

a n d o ther s a n d d o dged s o cleve rly by most un iver s ity

,

phil osoph e rs If Na ture i ssued fr om a ha rm on y

.
,

expres sin g imm a n en t de sign why a sk the s c e ptic s , , ,

”
a r e e ve n t s o n thi s pla n et s o a b o min a bl e irra ,
“ ” “ “ ”
tio na l , foul deba s in g , hide o u s
”
etc as , ,
”
.
,

in l a rge p a rt th e y a re ? We sha ll n ot shirk t he

 THE WORL D AS IM AGIN ATION

an swer An d in return in g it sa ti sfa ct or ily we sh a ll

.

a pply the im a gi n a l h yp ot h e s1s In a n ovel field .

Our ea r th well sometime s t o fin d ou t ho w re a lity on the

It i s
t yp
s or i der c e v e
on t h gr t
e gre a t s c a le impre sse s u s Were we a bl e t o p ercei ve
ea .

l w ld
s ca e ou
a t a gl a n ce the ev o luti on o f thi s pl a n et fr o m i t s
sug g t d ig
es es n

y t
v er gly cra dl e of fire d o wn t o time s when it ch a n ged m a gic a lly
s r on .

in t o the h ome o f pl a n ts a n d a n im a l s we s h ould ,

he s ita te t o c on te st the c a se for imm a n en t de sign

un le ss perh a p s t o sa ve a phil o sophic a l the ory
-
, , .

An d a fter a ll re a lity bei n g p sychic a l in cha r

, ,

a cter wh a t n eed i s there t o re s i st the pre ssure

,

o f the a ppe a r a n ces a n d t o c on te n d th a t the s e h a ve

n o imp ort ; me a n n othin g beyon d the fa ct th a t

they o ccur ? T —
hi s e rth rom a n ce which we c a rve
a ,

up we a rily a n d dre a rily in our sep a ra te s cien ce s ,

w ould a ppe a r t o a witn e ss of the l on g t i me pr oce ss -

a s a r a di a n t vi s i on a p oem o f gre a t a dve n ture s uch

a s a divi n e a rti st might e n j oy Im a gin e a n exp eri .

e n ce for which o u r gl obe thrilli n g t o the r a di a ti on ,

o f the su n pur s ue s i t s w on derful voya gin g a live

, ,

thin g of r a re be a uty a t fir st glowin g fierc e ly like a , ,

fury u n t a med thr ough r oll in g va p ours a n d the

,

ste a m o f the fir s t r a in s a n on gl ori o u s with o ce a n s ,

l a n ds gla cier s rivers a n d m oun ta in s ever meltin g

, , ,

in t o n e w f orm s behi n d a blue ve il sh ot with cl oud

l a ter a g a in the pla ce o f b irth of o rg a n ic kin d s ,

o f pl a n t a n d a n im a l a n d in due s e a s on a s tir with ,

the migr a ti on s a n d a dven ture s Of ma n Astr on omy .

,

s , d
ge ol ogy bi ol ogy oci ol ogy a n the re st wh a t a r e
,
— ,

they but dry le a ve s u seful t o remin d u s of the tree

o f life vi s ible onl y i n thi s t o t a l pr o ce s s
, Th e dry
b on es of a b stra ct th ought q uicken t o truth a n d
be a uty whe n we exp a n d o ur im a g in in g thu s a n d , ,

s evere a s mu st be di scu s s i o n whe n o cc a s i on c a ll s ,

His tory outs ide th a t of this pla n et n on e o f pos sible
Wo rld —S ystem s whi ch ma y be in n umera ble outside
, ,

the on e t o which the ea rth belon gs .

A Logic
l I D EA might be rea lised i n thi s futile
a
”
free d om but n ot s o the Co smic Im a g in a tion
, .

In l a un chi n g a w o rld pr oce ss it crea te s a s a l a rk

-
,

S i n gs— a s a divin e a rtis t in fin itely rich n ot s eekin g

, ,

but us i ng freed om ; a s a power o verfl o win g s po n

ta n e ously in to World Sys tem s wi th out en d -
An d .

in thi s proc ess of crea ti on it is n o M ol och hun gry

to devour victi m s a n d min is te rin g s ervitors a like .

There ma y be World S y stem s which do n ot compris e

-

in s ul a ted fini te s en tien ts a t a ll But in S yste m s .

,

in which such s en tie n t s pl a y their pa rts the per ,

fec t in g or c o mplete m a kin g of the S ystems

i n clud es the comp lete ma ki ng a nd cons er va ti on of

the sent i ents as well We a re t o di s cu ss in the

.
,

c o urs e of a la ter v olume why t h is must n eed s be S O

, .

For the pre sen t let u s urge tha t crea ti on a n d c on

s erv a ti on a re t ogether in the d o m a in o f ch a n ge ,

ea ch a s it were be a rin g the m a rk o f the o ther a n d

, , ,

tha t the persis ten ce of a n i n di vidu a l wh o end ur es ,

a t the c o s t o f cha n gi ng is a n ill u str a ti on of wh a t

,

o bt a in s o n the gre a t s c a le thr o ugh out the e n tire

Wo rld Sy s tem where it a ppea rs

-
.

V . HA S EA C H W ORL D S YS M
-
TE ITS G OD AN D G OD S ?

So we h a ve !bee n occupied with de sign a s

fa r
emb odied in the con ten t of the Ini tia l S itua ti on tha t ,

o f o ur p a rticul a r Wo rld S ys tem a s it ex i st s s ta tic a lly

-

in the C I ere ch a n ge begin s

. . Th e pl a n is n o t like
.

th a t of a s culpt or wh o s eek s t o S ha pe a n a ltera ble

s ep r
a a te m a teri a l in re a li s in g h i s e n d— a pl a n supe r
 GOD AND THE GODS

comprise s its pla n in t he ma nner in whi ch it com

pr ise s its co n ten ts An d this pla n a ga in does not
.
, ,

fores ta ll poten tia lly a s the p hrase goes a ll t he

,
”
,

sta ge s o f ev olut i on ; the S ys te m is a germi na l one ,

a n d crea tive i mpr ovisa tio n on li n es yet to be indi ,

os te d is to c ha ra cter ise it thr ou ghout a ll t he sto rms

,

But doe s this S yste m wh ic h exist s for the , a s God a nd t he

g
a content-c omp lex exis t a ls o for i ts elf i e in a n y
, , . .

ma nn er whic h ca n be ca lle d con sci ous An d s in ce

it i mplie s a t a ny ra te in t
,
he i
t me process plura l
-
,

ac tivi t ies in wha t wa y are t hese ac tiv ities to be

,

trea te d by us Th es e t wo q ues t ions reca ll si gn ifi

a nd Ener gie s , p a nd a re in fac t portions of

.
, ,

on e la rge q ues tion the i mpo rta n ce of whic h ca nn ot

,

whi ch eems vita l to a n a de q ua te idea listic in te r

s

p re ta t io n o f the wor ld pr oc es s In ci den ta lly

-
th a t .

a n s we r will res to re a be lie f o f wh ich t he hypothes is

of t he Cos mi c Ima g ina tion as pr ovis iona lly sta te d

, ,

ma y seem to ha ve robbed us ; t he be lief held by ,

men like John S t ua r t Mill a nd Ja m es tha t in s ome , ,

with the Wor ld Syst

m i n whi ch we li ve Do ubt
-
e . Pl
o yt he is m.

les s t here is a cr ea tive evolut ion to be co nsi dered

ev en in t h is rega rd ; t here will be reaso ns a ls o for

1
Profes sor MT agga rt has prepa red ev en ou r sta id uni v en ifi a
to bear wit h this sta te ment .
 THE WOR LD AS IM AGIN ATION
so rts of superhum a n s the System ma y c on t a in A .

p ower sufficien tly wi se a n d p owerful would be

, ,

greeted a s a go d a n d w orshipped a s such by a ll

th os e wh o m a ke obei sa n ce t o the gre a t Th e .

de itie s m a n y of them m ost s i ni ster figure s di s

, ,

pla yed t o u s in sa cred litera ture a re by descri p

ti on fin ite bein g s S ome a s we re a d a re c a ll ed by
.
, ,

c ourte sy in fin ite but they beha v e a s fin ite bein g s

, .

An d the i r a lleged wi sd o m a n d p o wer r a ther th a n ,

their m ora lity recommen d them , .

Phil osophic a l in tere st however be a r s chiefly on

, ,

the c a se for the belief in a n overrulin g god o f —

thi s p a rticul a r World Sy stem We c a nn ot de sire
-
.
,

a n d we c oul d n ot expect t o be a ble to repre sen t

,

thi s power a s a m a gn ified ma n Not merely bec a u se .

ma n m a ke s u s too remin i scen t of lemurs a n d a pe s ,

but bec a u se a level o f c on sci ou s life a lt ogether ,

”
s uperi or t o n a rr o w hum a n pers o n a lity i s in di ,

ca t ed . I n sul a ted per son a lity on e s ided a n d wea k ,

-
,

i s m a rred by defect s i n ciden ta l even t o i t s be s t

qu a litie s In p a ss in g on t o c on sider the overrulin g
.

c on sci ou s lif e of our World S y stem we sh a ll declin e -

,

t o c on ceive it a s a n in sul a ted per son st a n din g u n

in telligibly o ver a g a in st Na ture a n d the sub ordin a te
s en tie n t s m a j or a n d min or which the S ystem
,
.
,

in clude s .

bi
e n gs, multa neou sly exi stin g, or to on e su ch ei ng existi ng
si b
r
si mul ta n eou sly wi th ot h e s , wh o e u a l hi m i n q
i sdom a n d o e , w pwr
bu t n ot i n goodn ess It ma y n ot be i m ossi le t o ev e t t o
. p b r r
Polyth ei sm, or to con cei v e god a s st i v i n g a ga i n st othe re s on s rp r
r
who e qu al hi m i n ev e ythi ng but goodn ess
”
.
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
con tin uou s the per son a lity c on cen tra ted t o a
—
p o in t a n d a ll o w the c on ten t s of c on sci ou sn e ss t o be
s c a ttered In such c a s e s
. ou r p a st which till ,

then wa s g a ther e d t o gether in t o the in divi sible

,

impul sion it c ommun ic a ted t o u s i s br oken up ,

i n t o a th ou sa n d rec oll ecti on s m a de exter n a l to on e

a n other They give up in terp en etr a tin g in the
.

d egree th a t they bec ome fixed O ur person a lity .

So fa r
”
thu s de scen ds in the directi on o f sp a ce 1
.

our exp e rime n t But c o smic a lly a l so thi s i s h ow

.
, ,

s p a ce hu n g re a lity c o me s t o be
-
Ma tter c on sists .

”
i n thi s very m o vemen t pu sh e d further physic s ,

i s s imply p sychic s i n verted 2

Th e min d fe el s a t
h ome with sp a ce when m a tter sugge st s the m ore
di stin ct ide a of it Thi s sp a ce it a lre a dy p osse ssed
.

a s a n i mplicit ide a i n i t s own po s s ibl e detens i on ,

th a t i s t o sa y of i t s o wn p ossible exten s i on Th e
, .

min d fin ds sp a ce in thin g s but w ould h a ve got i t ,

with o ut them if it h a d im a g in a ti on str on g en ough

t o pu sh the in ver s i on of i t s o wn n a tura l m ovemen t
to the en d 3
Ma tter a ids min d t o r un down
.
”

i t s own s elf m a de in clin e but the impul se on ce

-
, ,

given min d g o e s on further t o c on ceive

, pure
sp a ce , which i s on ly the schem a o f the limit a t
which thi s m o vemen t would en d O n ce in p osse s .

s i o n o f t h e f o rm o f s p a c e min d u se s it l ike a n e t
,

with me she s th a t c a n be m a de a n d un m a de a t will ,

which thro wn ove r m a tter di vide s it a s the n eeds

, ,

o f ou r a cti o n dem a n d Thu s the sp a ce o f o ur .

ge ometry a n d the sp a ti a li ty of thin g s a r e mutu a lly

en g en dered by the recipr o c a l a cti on a n d re a cti on
of t wo term s which a re e ssen tia lly the sa me but ,

which m ove e a ch in the dir ecti on in verse of the

1
Crea ti ve Evolu ti on En gli sh tra n sla ti on p 2 12
, Itali cs mi ne , . . .

2
Ibid .
, p . 2 13 .
3
Ibid .
, p . 2 13 .
 C RITICISM OF D ETENSION
other ”
S cien ce exa ggera tes the spa tia lity of
1

m
.

m a tter ; sin ce n owhere i s there com ets recipro c a l

extern a lity ; m a tter exten ds itself with out be in g
a b solutely exte n ded in s p a ce C osm ol o gy is a r e .

versed p sych ol ogy n eb ul a r m a tter i s the e ff ect o f

2
the in verse m ovemen t Wh a t seem s p ositive re a lity
.

t o the phy s ici st or ge ometrici a n i s a we a ken i n g o f

the true p o sitive which mu st be defin ed in p sycho
Ber g son s rec o g n iti on of the p sychi
” ’
l ogic a l term s .

c a l C h a ra cter of the Un iver s e is thu s c omplete ,

whether h i s in verse directi on s c ommen d them

selve s to our a ccepta n ce or n ot .

When the p oet rea din g verse s f oll o ws the c o m

p ositi on with a c on tin u ou s m ovemen t which i s ,

”
like t h e in s pira ti on a n u n di vi ded a ct , he i s in ,

the ten si on pha se In the deten si on ph a se .

,

which expre sse s a defici en cy of wi ll he rela xe s h i s ,

a tte n tio n a n d l a ze s h a lf dr e a min g Th e p oem p a sse s

-

m
.

from it s sim e wh olen e ss in t o the broken deta il s o f

exten s i on d own even t o a d a n ce of sep a ra te letters
, .

Thi s ill u stra ti on g o e s t o sh o w h ow or der a n d com

p lex i ty o f det a i l i s s ue fr o m n eg a tive directi o n Of
rela x a ti on An d it m a ke s cle a r wh a t i s me a n t by
.

sa yin g th a t they m a y bel on g t o a re a lm of di mi n i shed

rea lity .

We do
well t o pre sen t this View before di scu ssin g A g e n e ra l
m
our o wn S uch c on tra sts prom ote clea r thin kin g
. .
cr cl s m'

Critici sm i s sugge sted a s foll ows

( )
1 Th e the ory i s b a sed on hum a n experien ce
s uch a s th a t of the p o et a b ove n oted But ca n we .

u se the c on cept thu s derived a s Berg son de s ire s

, ,

Must we a ttribute detens i on to the Cosmic

1 Pp 2 12 - 13 2
. . P 2 20
. .
4 56 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

Im a gin a ti on a n d supp ose th a t through a defici ency

,

of i ts
“
wi ll the Na ture of a n e w W orld S ystem
”
- '

begin s ? Ha s n ot some import a n t co n sidera ti on

been o verl ooked

( )
2 Th e co n te n t s i n the poet s experien ce were
m a n y even when they were be in g n oticed a s a m a n y
,

i n a wh ole ; a n d they s t ill bel on g t o the p oet s experi

’
- -

en ce a n d to on e a n other n ow tha t they a re n oticed

a s man y Do such co n ten t s ill u str a te a dequ a tely
.

th a t recipro c a l extern a li ty which preva il s in Na ture

Ar e we n ot driven t o thin k n ot of s ep a r a tely n o ticed
con ten ts but of m ore or le ss in depen den t s en ti en t
,

a gen ts a s pre supp os ed by N a ture ? D eten sion ”

,

a s I experie n ce it give s me n o direct gra s p o f the s e

,
.

( )
3 Berg s on believe s th a t re a lity i s p s ychic a l i n

ch a ra cter Is there then a n y sufficie n t re a son

.
, ,

for pre servin g the refin ed du a li sm which the the ory

of the t wo directi on s in volve s ? Is there a n y
b a sic diff eren ce for in sta n ce between the c on ten t s
, ,

a wa r e d in my se n tie n t l ife a n d th o s e of the mi nor

a gen ts or s en ti en ts m a sked by s en s ible phe n ome n a

s uch a s s tick s a n d s t on e s ? Th e ha bi ts o f the se

s e n tie n t s a re m ore depe n d a ble a n d predict a ble th a n

min e the c on serva tive S ide of re a lity i s well

exempl ified i n the ir c on ten t s But I t oo h a ve very .

m a n y s t a ble h a bits An d I mu st n ot relega te the

.

m in or sen tien t t o the sphere of i n ert Ma tter o f

“

in vers e d irecti on j u st bec a u se i t s a cti ve lif e i s so

,

freque n tly a n ob sta cle in the directi on of min e .

We ca n dis pen se with hi s subtle dua lism by

urgin g th a t the con ten ts of a World S ystem a ll a gree -

i n bein g m o des of c on s erva tive a n d cre a tive i m a gin

in g a n d th a t gra da ti on s o f a wa r in g p sychic a l life
,
 THE W ORLD AS IMAGINATION
Sophies of the Un c on s ci ou s An d it impli es the .

belief which seem s o pp osed t o cle a r hum a n expe ri

,

en ce th a t t o be clea rly c on s ci ou s I mu st be a lwa ys

,

ch o osin g betwee n a ltern a tive s C oul d I n ot be .

c on sci ou s thr ough out etern ity if the onl y c on ten t

po ssible wa s a n in ten se p a in or a s in gle Vivid c ol our
with n o a ltern a tive wh a tever in view

Ou r o wn 2 . En o ugh ha s
been sa id t o in tr o duce o u r
e xp er i me n ta l

a ccoun t o f h oyv exp e rimen t a l a n d in evita bly in a dequ a te a cc oun t o f

N a t ur e
t o be .
ca me
how our World S ystem m a y h a ve begun - 1
.

I urged in my l a st work th a t if s
p y c h i ca l ,

a ctivity i s ul tim a te it s C ha ra cter i s t o di s tu rb

,

”
a s well a s t o con s er ve Thi s is the a ttitude th a t .

re a ppe a rs in thi s e ssa y m a f orm m ore a dequ a te ,

t o re a lity a s the hyp othe s i s o f im a g in a l a ctivity

, ,

cre a tive a n d c on serva tive .

Th e C I cons erves the sta tic h a rm on y of the

. .

Wo rld Ide a by a ctivity with re stful c on ten t But

-
.

th ough the World Ide a thu s con s er ved i s h a rm on i ou s

-
,

—
it c o mpri ses a m a ni f old the differen ce s e g of i t s , . .
,

Im a gin a ls a n d of thei r imm a n en t m a nifold It is .

n ot a bl a n k fe a tureless iden tity For the C I

, . . .
,

i n de ed it i s a ra di a n t gl ory o f the perceptua l type

,

be a utiful bey on d a n y vi s i on im a g in a ble by our

s elve s Nevertheless sh a ll we liken it t o c ompa re
.
, ,

the gre a t with the sm a ll t o a won drou s p oem which ,

a n e x a lted m o rt a l c o ul d im a gin e a n d a wa re a t a

gla n ce The p oem which c on ta in s let us supp ose

.
, , ,

n umer ou s ch a ra cter s i s a t the out s et ju st c on te n t

,

( whi med to Willi m Ja mes a t a n y a te r

1
Thi s a ccou n t ch see a

r
most o igin al a n d in geni ou s ,
”
p
but st a n ds si m ly as e xp eri
p r
men tal hy oth esis ) was fi st a t te m ted i n Indi vidua l p a nd Rea li ty,
pp 2 72 ff
. .
 S ENTIENT G
A ENTS AN D THE FALI )

for the p oet wh o s e co n s ci o u sn e s s is i t s co n ti n uity ;

the field in which it h a n g s t ogether a s a wh ole .

C on ceive n ow the se ch a ra cter s ( which a n swer t o

the c on ten t differen ce s in t h e World Ide a ) c omin g
- -

t o exi st for thems elv es t o be S E N TIEN T in their own

,

right thu s deta chi n g thems elv es in a m a n n e r fr om A h lpf l

,
e u
i ll t t i us r a on .
the p oet a n d the former un br oken texture o f the
p oem ; like t h e gr oup of ch a ra cters i n Ha mlet
bec omin g s udden ly c on sci ou s in deta chmen t from
the ir i m a gin er S ha ke spea re a n d h i s pla y Thi s
, ,
.

c on cepti on ma y serve t o in tr o duc e o u r a cc ou n t o f

cre a tive c h a n geZa n d the tim e pr oce ss Th e ra di a n t
-
.

vi s i on i s t o brea k up i n t o th a t u nr e st a n d strife
th a t m a rk the Meta phys ic a l Fa ll An d the Fa ll .
,

a g a i n i s the p os s ibili ty o f a ll th o s e n o vel j o y s a n d

,

mi serie s which fill the n ight of time Fin ite sen .

t i en t s c a n c o me in t o e xi ste n ce onl y a t a price If .

y o u like the o l ogic a l l a n gu a g e

y ,o u ca n c a ll thi s F a ll
the grea t origi n a l s in — o f the fin ite s e n tie n t s .

But m ore sa n e ly you will rec ogn i se it a s the m a nn er

in which thi s Wo rld Sy stem if it i s t o c on t a in
-
,

fin it e s en ti e n t s h a s t o be l a un ch e d
,
Pe rh a p s
.

there a r e other World S yste m s which a re n ot yet

-

l a un ched a n d which c o mpri s e n o sen tien t s i e , . .

c on ten t s which a r e c on s ci ou s a n d not mer ely con ten ts .

But it w ould seem th a t if there a r e t o be s en tien ts

, ,

there mu st a l so be a Meta phys ic a l Fa ll a n d with it

tha t strife which He ra cleitu s ter me d the fa ther of
a ll thin g s . This reflecti on will f o ll ow u s in t o o u r
di scu ss i on of pe ssim ism L et u s n ow try t o sugge st
.

m ore de fin ite ly h ow the in itia l st a ge s o f the Fa ll

c ome t o occur .

When we were c on s iderin g Hegel s meta physic s ’

,

we urged th a t the n oti on of Be in g is e ssen tia lly

 THE WORLD AS IM AG INATION

We a re Hegel s device is to en soul it with the prin

’
t o fin d s a t tic .

c ip le of c on tra dicti o n a s a bove a ll th in g s th a t

tfii ég In thi s wa y he seem s

‘ ”

figffi
es
which m ove s the world .

t o get up stea m within thi s n o ti on Bein g which

3 2113 355
1 1 1
0 ” , ,
0
then m oves f orwa rd lik e a c osmic r oa d r oller with -
,

Nothin g Bec omin g determin a te Bein g etc e tc

, , , .

m a rkin g it s a dva n ce But Bein g m ove s in s eemin g

.

on ly. Y o u c a n n ot expl o it a pure n oti on thu s ,

ign orin g the c on crete differen ce s which exis ten t s

compris e In the Hegeli a n logic the s e di ff eren ce s
.

a re n o mi n a lly repudi a ted a s s e n sibl e and

ben e a th the digni ty o f pr ofou n d th o ught L ookin g .

cl os ely h owever a t Hegel s pro cedure we fin d th a t

, ,
’

they a r e gl a n ced a t furtively a s the ill u stra ti on s ,

u sed in expl a n a t ory p a ssa ge s sh o w It i s i mp o s .

s ible
, in deed t o think a b out Be in g a n d Bec omin g
,

in the ir a b s en ce .

Hegel wi sh wa s to seize the th ought prin ciple

’
s -

u n derlyin g a ll re a lity An d he f oun d h i s prize a s . ,

,

he believed in the di a lectic of c on tra di cti on He

, .

wa s of opi ni on a l so th a t m a n y i n st a n ce s a re a va il
a ble t o s h o w th a t the prin ciple a ctu a ll y w o rk s .

An d perh a p s s omethi n g li ke i t s u fficien tly lik e it

, , ,

t o furn i sh the s eemin g c on firm a ti on s o f it d o e s ,

work a prin ciple o f m ovemen t which i s ill u s

t r a t e d equ a lly in the dyn a mic o f s u b a t o mic -

ch a n ge s the va ria ti on s of orga n ic species the

, ,

m a rch of soci a l reform s a n d beyon d .

THE B IRTH OF C HAN G E

G Let
m
Th e ra n d 3 . refer hen ceforth to the World Ide a a s
us -

the Gra n d Im a gi n a l of o ur World S y stem 0 1

?
nse
i
a -
, 3

110 1112 1 W0 1 1‘1

”

S y s t em
'

briefly a s the I MAGIN AL We a re to sugge st h ow

, .

t h ls I MAG IN AL ma y h a ve p a ssed mto t 1me succe s

.

-
 THE WORLD AS IMA GINATION
the c on serv i n g a ctivi ty a s ju st m a in ta in in g
the se differen ts with o ut ch a n ge Th e di fl eren t s .

e —
b lo g t o a c on te n t wh ole a n d t o thi s exten t t o
n , , ,

o n e a n o ther but their rel a tion s a r e h a rm on iou s

, .

—
They a r e c on stitue n t a spect s of a t ot a l ide a n ot
m o re o r le ss in sula ted a gen t s between which there
o bt a in s a c a u sa l dyn a mic o f ch a n ge Tim e s ucce s .
-

s i on which implie s ch a n gin g c on ten ts n a y a gen t s

, , ,

i s u n b o rn 1
.

N ow the a ctivity which c on serve s or m a in t a in s

i s a ls o the a ctivity which c a n di sturb or de str oy
this cha n gele ss st te the h a rm on y o f the I MAGIN AL
a — .

Th e degree of th is a ctivity i s n ot fixed It s s p on .

ta n eous heighten in g is the fun da me n t a l fa ct on

which evoluti on en s ue s Thi s sp on ta n eity which .
,

is j u st im a gin a ti on in it s cre a tive ch a ra cter pr o ,

vides the Appuls e t o ch a n ge .

C on ceive the a ctivity a s heighten ed It i s a wa rin g .

c on sci ou s a ctivity All the di fferen t s in the I MA GIN AL

.

a re no lo n ger mere c on te n ts but c on sci o u s or ,

s ci ou s
2
c on ten t s a r e n o l on ger di ff eren ces c on
t ri bu t or y t o a n d a b sorbed by a tot a l ide a
,
They , .

a re r a is ed t o the level o f a gen ts i e a ctive p sychic a l , . .

In D r S chill er s
pr mi di ti f th w rld pr
’
1 e cos c con on o e o - ocess

—h i e p rim ti g wi th pl r li ti m d l gy w wi th
s ex e en n u a s c on a o o as e a re

— t fir t i
“
so m thi g l
e nth lti m t m
e se d e u im l
a e on a s a re a s n a t e ess

so li d tu d tim
e,
”
an i ri wi th th ir r l ti t
e -su cces s on a s es e e a on o a

Di i S p i i t
v ne pr m m d wh
r or su tr ie th m t
e on a o con s a ns e o co

o prte a e so a st f rm m o r t f wh l t h
o so ti f t ry
e so o o e,
”
e u n sa s ac o

cos mi y t mc sf s ep r i o w hi h i
ou r e x ti ll b i g b et t r d
e n ce , c s s e n e e e .

C on sult hi Ri ddl f h
s S p hi es o t e nx .

2
Thi t rm i s f l t pr
e s u se u ry l w l l f w i g
o ex ess a v e o ev e o a ar n

li f i whi h th
e n p i pr t i
c e s di gly bri f
e c ous d ese n s e xce e n e ,
an
 HOW CONTENT S B ECOME AGENTS
cen tres whose very sci ou sin g or sciousn ess Th e Ima gi n a l

loosen s them bo th from the I MA GIN AL a n d fr om e a ch

o ther 1
Th e
. Man y imm an ne t in the I M A G IN A L but 2
,
2 9 11 12

s ub ordin a ted before a s mere c on te n t s in a t o t a l f a ct ,

n o w h a ve their turn They p a ss from mere differ

en c e s in to the clea r cu t di vers i ty o f multiple a ge n t s
-
,

e a ch of which by the a c t of bein g s en tien t or sciou s

h a s b e c o me a di s cr ete ce n tre in the hithert o n u
broken I MAGINAL An d this is n ot a ll . .

Th e differen t c on ten t s pre sen t t o the differen t D iff t er en s a n d

“ m “w I’
s e n tien t a gen t s bec o me very l a rgely con tr a r i es ; c on

ten t s o pp osed a n d mutu a lly in imic a l This brin g s .

u s b a ck t o the sa yin g th a t c on tra di cti on m ove s

”
the world C on tra di ction i s the gen era l ide a of
.

n —
the c o tra ry Of in c omp a tible s exclu sive s But it H W f d , .
O ar oe s

i s n ot thi s c on tra riety which m ove s we h a ve

here ra ther the promptin g which is foll owed by the w l d or
” ?

An d thi s inn ova

”
inn o va ti on or m ovemen t .

ti on on ce m ore i s the work of cre a tive im a gin in g

whi ch r esp on ds to the di s cor da n t s i tua ti ons wi th fr es h
con ten t c a lled tra nsforma ti ons of the world
the so -

process At on ce the true prin ciple of m ovemen t Th

.
, e

the im a gin a l prin ciple i s reve a led t o u s Given a mgfégfét’fi f

, .
l ‘

s itu a ti o n o f in n er di sc ord s tra n sform a ti on i s t h e ,

reso urce which serve s t o reduce the di sc ords a s ,

much a s is p o ssible t o h a rm on y But the re du c , .

ti on a ga in pro duc e s a n ew s itu a ti on which bec ome s

, ,

in i t s turn the se a t o f in n er di sc ord s which ten d t o ,

in cre a se wh e reup o n i s cre a ted a fre sh tra n sfo rm a

,

in whi p ri
ch ex e e n ce Of a f
se l ( r
con t a sti n
g with at lf
no -
se

a nd i mplyi g n a dev elo pd e mem o ry) ca nn ot p ibly b i

oss o ta n

h ll r rt t pi p
.

We s a e cu o thi s o c .
( Cf . l
a so .

1
Th ou gh t hei r con ten ts a re s t ill of o n e ti ssu e wi th th ro e c on

te nts i n th e IMAGINAL .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
tion equ lly pr vi i a l The wor ld process i s thus
o s on a .
-

fo r ced a lon g th e p a th of i ma gi n a l or cr ea ti v e ev olu ti on .

Y ou c a n te st th is View superbly by con siderin g the

c a s e o f a soci a l reform e g so ci a li sm in which the , . .
,

work in g o f the prin ciple on ly ten ta tively a scrib e d t o ,

Na ture is seen in the da ylight where a ll ca n ga ze

, .

S ocia lism i s a n experimen ta l i ma gi n a l soluti on

Offered t o c ope with the di sc ords which a ri se a n d
s l owly in cre a s e durin g the c a pit a li s t r é gime o f
p r o

duction a n d di stributi on But while the prin ciple .

c a n be s een cle a rly a t w ork through o ut the st a ge s

of p r ogress in dividu a l a n d ra cia l it is a lso a s we

, , ,

m a in t a in illu stra ted in t he fl o win g of the obscure

,

pro ce sse s which un derlie the o rder of Na ture We .

a r e developin g thi s co n te n tio n n o w .

N ote by the wa y h ow etym ology a s so Ofte n

, , , ,

a ffo rd s a clue a s if a pre s cien t p o wer h a s s tored

,

hin t s in l a n gu a ge in prep a ra ti on for the time

when we sh a ll be a ble to gra sp them A solu .

ti on e g like socia li sm i s th a t in which the di sc ord s

,
”
. .
,

o f the precedi n g s itu a ti on a r e to be di ssolved

n ot merely s u s pe n ded with out ch a n ge A s olutio n .

i s n o w recogn is ed widely a s a kin d of chemic a l c om

p oun d a n d a comp ou n d i s a c a se of tra n sform a tion
, ,

n ot a mere re a rr a n geme n t .

Th e difier en ts in the IMAGINAL exis t o rigin a ll y in

pr op ortion s expre ssed by the phra se the divin ity
of me a sure Qu a litie s in the respect i n which
.
”

they occupy the I M AGIN A L a r e qu a n titie s defi n itely

gre a ter equ a l or le ss
, The se qu a litie s i n defin ite
, .

qua n tity a re h a rmon iou s elemen t s o f a wh o le With .

the quicken in g o f a ctivity thi s h a rm on y i s lo st .

Let u s gra sp thi s p oin t firmly .

 THE WORLD AS IMAG l N ATION

see a ga in how the c on serva tive a n d the crea tive

,

s ide s o f re a lity c on cur in the time — proce ss We see '

n ow th a t ch a n ge i s t o per s i st durin g the r om a n ce

o f w orld ev oluti on a n d hen ce th a t to this exte n t

-
, , ,

ch a n ge itself h a s it s con serva tive side .

This u n ivers a l ch a n gin g o f c on ten t s i s the b irth

“
o f tim e s ucce s s i on
-
Th e im a gin a l prin ciple of
.

m o vemen t is n o w a t work In cre a tin g the fir st .

n n —
c o te t tra n sform a tion s it h a s in ven ted th is mode
of time .

I n t en si ty An y
con ten t i n a cqu irin g i n te n sity ten ds a ls o
, ,

52; t
2 8 9

y on 1 s
to s
o v e rfl o w i n t o c o n te n t b ey o n d it s elf t o S h o w a n ,

822 1
:
o utw a r dl y di r ected a ctivity A t oo th a che a s it .
,

become s s ha rper in fluen ce s my wh ole c on sci ou s ,

pre sen t ; a risin g emoti on s pre a ds it self in t o my

ge sture s phys ic a l a cti on a n d beyon d Th e em oti on s
, ,
.

o f s ulle n m e n stre a m f o rth a t l a s t in to the Fre n ch

R e vo luti on Ta in e held th a t in the sphere o f thin k

.

i n g e very impre ss i on ten ds t o gr o w in t o a n ill u s i on

o r h a lluci n a ti on a n d e a ch i s kept fr o m d o i n g so by
,

colli s i on wi th op os i te on es a n d thu s so meth in g

p ,

like sa n ity i s pre served by a n equ ilibrium o r b a la n ce

be tween m a n y lun a cie s In the s equel of the
”
1
.

primitive s truggle which we ob serve in Na ture ,

t o da y eve rythin g i s s ee n t o pr e ss on s o methi n g

-
,

el s e which l imit s it Eve n the n a ti on s them selve s .

c on tin u e the pre ssure o n e a g a in s t a n other o ft en ,

bec o min g i n c omp a tible a t a certa in p o in t of S p a ce

a n d time ; a n imp a s s e o f di s c o rd s met a ll t oo fre

qu en tly by a s oluti on e n forced by wa r Is thi s .

p a inf ul world then a b a la n ce between m a n y

, ,

1
Ci ted by St a nley Ha ll ( Adolescence v ol 11 . p wh os e

wr
. .
,

o ds I gi v e .
 THE MIN OR S ENTIENT G
A ENTS AN D C HAN G E 4 67

lun a cie s There i s on e h ope th a t shin e s thr o ugh

”
the turm o il Th e
. divin ity of mea sure in the ,

perfect form th a t ch a ra cteris ed the in iti a l h a rm on y ,

h a s been s uper seded But the imma n en t des ign i s Th u i

. e n v ersa l

;
’
t o pr ovide for t h e b i rth o f fin ite sen tien t s a n d the fi i h f
gg
s
s

un re st of a world pro ce ss a n un re st which i s the

- “ 1 1 0 11 9 11 9

c on di ti on of a ll pro gre ss When the un re st h a s .

s erved i t s turn it will va n i sh a n d the h a rve st w i ll ,

then perh a p s rewa rd th ose wh o h a ve so wn it in

, ,

s orr o w Mea n while the wheels of Time must ro ll

.
— ,

even th ough unn umbered b illi on s a re curs in g them

a s they cru sh D oes the cha rioteer drive t o n o
.

pr fit
o ? An d if t o n o profit why in a n im a gin a l
, , ,

Un ivers e a t a ll
,

4 Herba rt did n ot a llow tha t th ose re a ls o r Ch g d

. an e an
1 1
S i mple bein g s whi ch c o rre sp on d in h is sys tem t o 35122331
,
2

o ur primitive n a tur a l a ge n t s co ul d ch a n ge ge n uin ely

, .

He wa s t o o re spectful of the la w of c on t ra di c
tion in virtue o f which n ot he a l on e but t h e old
, ,

In di a n Veda n ti sts a n d the m o dern Ab soluti sts a s

well ha ve den ied th a t ch a n ge c a n bel on g t o re a l
bein g Hen ce he pr ovided plura lis tic rea ls with
.

merely a ct s o f self c on serva ti on The min e is t o o

-
.

p oor t o a dmit of the extra cti on o f Na ture a n d the

va riety o f sen tien t lif e .

Ea ch min or s en tien t a ge n t cha n ge s in a cre a tive

wa y jus t a s doe s t h e I M AGIN AL on t h e la rge s c a le .

It a lters a n d it k e ep s on a lterin g h o wever slowly , ,

sa tur a ted with i t s p a s t a s it g o e s There rem a in s .

t he rid dl e a s t o why gr e a t n umb e r s o f the se a g e n t s

s h o uld ch a n g e i n s imil a r rela tio n s in s imila r
wa y s This c on side ra tion o f u n ifo rmity in cha n gin g U if
. n or mi t i es
f
c omplete s o ur In tro duct i on t o the c a u sa l dyn a m i c a s a
o se u e n c e or
.
c u la ws ,
 4 68 THE WORLD As IMA INATION G
Th e reply is th a t the min or a gen t s in s o fa r a s ,

they a r e in st a n ce s Of the su b Ima gin a ls wh ose -

,

rea lity they sh a re a r e the sa me a n d a s such beh a ve

, , , ,

in the sa me wa y An d they keep on beh a vin g in

.

thi s sa me wa y ; they a cqu ire H A B ITS ; a n d the se

h a bit s a r e often rem a rka bly sta ble Th e re a re .

th os e wh o will obj ect t o thi s word h a bit But .

”

remember ( 1 ) th a t we a r e di scu ss in g s en ti en t a gen t s ,

su b a t o m s
”
su b electr on s
’
n o t s ymb oli st s -
or -
,

a n d ( 2 ) th a t h a bit me a n s a cc o rdin g t o the de fin i

,

ti on of Herbert S pen cer n o m ore th a n a c ourse

,

o f a cti on cha ra cteri sed by c on sta n cy a s di stin ,

u i sh e d fr o m c o ur s e s of a cti on th a t a r e in co n st a n t
”
1
g ,

a n d their o bj ecti on s di sa ppe a r H a bit i s j u st a

.

st a ble f o rm of purp os ive lif e It i s on e of the form s

.

in which c on serva ti on c on cur s with cre a ti on thr ough

o u t the w orld pr o ce ss s trivin g a s it were t o
-
, , dig ,

it self i n a g a in st the st ormin g of ch a n ge .

Ca u sa l l a ws of Na ture a re de scribed by A E . .

“
Ta yl o r a s formulae de scriptive of t h e h a bitu a l ,

beh a vi our of a c omplex system of sen tien t b e in g s ,

”

o r s h a ll we s a y o f the phe n o me n a which m a sk thi s

, ,

h a bitu a l beh a vi our ? With the ev oluti on of m ore

a n d m ore comp lex s e n tien t a g e n t s di fferen ce s will ,

beg in t o a ri se even a m on g s en tien t s of a kin d An d .

. he n ce the belie f i n a b solutely rigid l a ws which ,

imply th a t a ll the se sen tien t s beh a ve in the sa me

wa y c a nn o t be true
,
Ag a i n th e se sen tien t s of
.
,

s lightly di ffere n t beh a vi our s a r e a ll s l owly a lter in g

their wa ys with the l a p se o f time Hen ce e ven the .

pra ctic a ll y a ccura te l a ws will ten d t o bec ome

o b sol e te ,a pplyin g on ly t o a p a st tha t h a s been
tra n sform e d .

1
Note to The S tudy of S oci ology .
 THE WORLD AS IMAG INATION

pres sure in the directi on of true tha t i s t o o rder —

'

sa y o rder which sa tis fie s fully the ide a l of a wide

,

purp ose th a t i s bein g re a li sed But the pre ssure i s .

n ot at fir st a dequ a te a n d why ? Bec a u se the

,

I MAG IN A L a s a wh ole i s a l so in proce ss of cre a tive

evoluti on i s n ot yet m a ture a n d a ble t o ha rm on i s e
i t s in tern a l ch a n ge s a right To wh a t re sult i s .

th is evolutio n ten din g ? We sh a ll de a l with thi s

p oin t l a ter .

Me wh ile we mu st be a r in min d th a t ch a n ce
an

h a pp en in g s of the cre a tive s orts o ccur a mon g the

min or a gen t s gr oup s a n d system s of a gen t s a n d
, , ,

a r e in tr o duc in g e n dl e ss di s c ord s Th e co n ten t s o f

1
.

the I M AGINA L h a ve to a gre a t ext en t fa llen a sun der

, ,

a n d a r e ru n n i n g lit e r a lly a m ok im a gin a l crea ti on

gettin g a wh ile l a rg ely ou t of cen tra l c on trol Thi s .

burge on in g o f im a gin a ti on i n t o a ll sort s of form s ,

m on strou s hide ou s a n d o ther is in evita bly a fe a ture

, , ,

of the Met a phy s ic a l F a ll It i s i n gre a t me a sure

.

evil a n d p a rt of the price p a id for the origin a ti on

,

o f fi n ite s e n tie n t life It c o mpr o mi se s in n o wa y

.

the cha ra cter o f the C osmic Im a g in a ti on it self .

Ca u sa ti on it i s n o w clea r i s n ot a rela ti on of
, ,

s ucce s s i on such a s M ill di s cu ss ed n or a Buddhi stic

, ,

pr o ce ss of Bec o min g of which n o expla n a ti on c a n be

o ffered . It implie s a t le a st t wo primitive a gen t s o r
s e n tien t s which c o mpen etr a te with a cre a tive re sult .

But n otice th a t if the pen etra ti on brin g s n o c on flict

, ,

but a h a rm on i ou s s itu a ti on there i s n o further ,

p r o cess c o mpelled T h e st a tic re st i s re a ched o n ce

.

m ore ; the re st th a t ultim a tely a wa its the wh ole

World S y stem in it s
-
D ivin e Even t There i s .
”

1
Cf . Cha n ce , Pa tr II . Ch a pV p
. . . 3 77 .
CA U SATION D OES N OT IM PLY EN D LESS CHANGE 471

no thin g in the c a u sa l rela ti on which force s u s to Th i er e s

supp o s e th a t a World S ystem is s ubject t o ch a n ges

.

without e n d Th e c a u sa l dyn a mic is n o m a ster wh h

.

ic co m pe ls
It 1S o n ly the m a nn er In wh i ch 1ma ma t l on pre sse s
0

dl ess c h a n s~
g en
mg '

towa rd it s g oa l the sl ow m a kin g a n d perfectin g o f

,

the world rom a n ce which beg a n a n d will h a ve it s

-

en d ; a n en d a t once the cl os e o f a time process -

a n d the crown of a p ur po s e fulfill ed .

On e of Mill
defin iti on s of c a u se is curiou sly O f Min
’
s , ne o
i
s

en ough a da pta ble t o our own u ses A c a u se i s 2233232232

,
1
.
6
u “
the a s s a f
embl ge o phen o me a which occurrin g
n 1 0 O r 89 1

so me other phe n omen on in v a ri a bly commen ces or

ha s i ts or i gi n 1
D ivorce th is sta temen t from
.
”

Mill s p sych ologic a l idea li sm a n d the defin ition works

’
.

Th e w o rd commen ces lea ve s r oom for the hyp o

th e sis which a lwa ys fin ds c on serva tive a n d crea tive
—
im a gin in g n ow m ore of on e n ow m ore of the other ,

— in a c a u sa l pr oce ss Re spectin g the . a ssem

bla ge we do n ot re quir e t o supp ose th a t a ll the

phen omen a of the World S ystem go t o c on s titute -

it Thi s i s a widely curren t a ssumpti on previ ou sly

.

rejected by u S C on ten t s in a World System a r e

.
-

n ot pen etra te d by a ll o ther c o n te n t s on a n equa l

foo t i ng .A n d o nl y W h a t i s a ctu ally pre s e n t t o the

c a u sa l situ a ti on c oun t s .

An in st a n ce fr om ra Ce pen etra ti on Th e Gr e ek A -
.

.
n i str a ti e
l lu v
Of
civili sa ti on pu she s in t o the Ea st : In c omp a tibles i
ca u sa t o n o n

meet a n d a h a r momsm g cre a ti on re sults a Graec o t h e Il u ma n

e v el
Ea s tern c ul ture In Wt h In c omp a ti ble s n ow a t
o

p e a ce a r e tra n sformed
,
Notice tha t there is n o .

di a l e ctic her e ; the Greek d o e s n ot n eg a te

it self in t o the Ea stern culture but b oth ex istin g , ,

1
Logi c, B k
oo III . ch a p . v . 7 .
 THE W OR L D AS IM A GIN ATION
in their own right meet An d the re sult i s the
, .

“ ” “
c ommen cin g cre a tive fa ct Thi s a ssembl a ge .

”
of phen o men a a ga in d oe s n ot in clude su n sp ot s
, ,

or the white be a r s o f the Ar ctic regi on s t o a n y

exten t worth n oticin g ! It in clude s the ph en o

men a which en ter cle a rly in t o the live s of the
Greek a n d Ea stern hum a n bein g s in volved .

Th e ch a n g in g tha t a cc omp a n ie s the f orm a ti on of

Na ture h a bits or c a u sa l la ws must be such a s t o
-

a ll o w the h a bit s a dequ a te s c o pe A B C do n ot .

, , ,

in deed recur to be foll owed by D but E F G etc

, , , , , .
,

s ufli ci en tly li ke A B C t o be tre a ted a s the sa me

, , ,

mu st h a ppen or even t s lik e D will ce a se ha ppeni n g ,

a n d N a ture will be a fl o od of mer e n o velty a flux o f ,

i n sta b ilitie s i n which n o se n tien t of a high o rder

c ould be ev olved Th e ra te s of ch a n gin g o f differen t
.

a ge n t s mu st be s uch a s t o furn i sh rel a tively st a ble

c o lloc a ti on s of which we c a n sa y with p ra cti ca l

,
”
,

truth th a t they recur Th e w orkin g o f a petrol

,
.

e gi e
n n i s s a id t ll
o i u tr te c o
s a n s a n a —
t t l ws the h a bit s
of a ssembla ge s of a gen ts G ood But there mu st . .

be pr ovi si on for such a ssembl a ge s bein g p ossible

a g a i n a n d a g a i n if the s e h a bit s or c on st a n t wa y s o f
,

a ctin g a re t o e n dure a t a ll O n ce m ore we n ote

.

the imp ort a n ce even a mid ch a n ge of the con

, ,

s er v a t i v e s ide of re a lity ; a n d we mu st refer it t o the

red stra n d of purp o se which c onn ect s the evolvin g

world with the h a rm on y of the primeva l I MA GINA L .

C h a n ce on ce Ca u sa ti on d oe s n ot exclude ch a n ce h a ppen in g s ; -

more .

In a m a nn er It mu st be sa 1d eve n t o i n clude them

1
.

Th e meeti n g of the differen t member s of a n a ssem

bl a ge of phen omen a i s n ot fully a cc ou n ted

1
Ch a n ce, r
Pa t II . Ch a p Vp
. . . 3 77 .
 CHAP TER V
THE E VOLU TION OE N AT URE
1 . To
time simulta n eity h a s been a dded t ime
-

s ucce s s i on with the ea rlie st c a u sa l u n if ormitie s .

Th e birth of time succe ssio n i s a cc o mp a n ied by-

th a t of sp a ce in which the liven ed i n ten s ity of

,

di ff ere n t s withi n the I MA G IN AL bec ome s exten s ity

properly so c a lled S p a ce con crete spa ce is a n
-
.
, ,

i n v en ti on by me a n s o f which differe n t s n ot h a r ,

mon i se d by be in g a ltered i s still m a in t a in in g , . .

con tra ry ch a ra cters a re ren dered in Leib n itzia n

, ,
”
la n gu a ge comp ossible
, .

Time ucce ss i on a n d sp a ce a re ofte n reg a rded a s

-
s

mysteri ou s fra me s form s or even e n titie s which

, , ,

could exi st by them selve s with out bein g f orm s of

a n ythin g They a re cert a i nl y n ot o u r in ve n ti on s
.
,

a n d a g a in they a r e n o t a s K a n t th ought merely a

, , , ,

p ri or i f orm s of ou r experien ce a n d n othin g m o re .

They a r e r ea l whether you a n d I e n j o y e xperien ce s

o f them or n ot But n ot a s f orm s or en titie s which
.

might c on ceiva bly survive the a nn ih il a ti on o f a ll

the re st o f re a lity They a r e prim a rily f orm s or
.

m a n n ers i n which differen t qu a lita tive c on ten t s

ex is t in the I M AGINAL a s we h a ve a greed for the ,

pre se n t t o c a ll the germin a l Ide a of thi s World

S ystem They might perha ps be termed pa rt of
.
, ,

4 74
 THE E O V L UTION OF S P ACE

the con n ective ti ssue in the b ody of God if by Go d ,

we me a n the o verruli n g c on sciou s p ower of thi s

p a rticula r World S ystem But th a t a ssertion ma de
-
.

ju st a t pre sen t would c a rry u s inc on ven ien tly fa r .

Reta in h owever i n min d this la st sugge stion viz

, , , .

th a t the I MAGIN A L ma y be in sober truth the , ,

b ody of Go d Well time successi on a n d sp a ce a re

.
,
-

re a l in this I MAGINAL which a g a in is a mere is let in , , ,

the o ce a n of the I n fi n ite the a ll embra cin g Cosmic ,

-

Ima gin a ti on it self .

2 . Sp
ce sh ow s a diver sity—
the differen t qu a lita Th e or i g i n

t i ve c on te n t s of the I MA GINA L m a n ewform It IS p

f con cr e te
—
o
.
s ace,

a n a ltered s i mult a n eity ; a f orm in t o which s imul

t a n eou sly exis tin g a n d c on flictin g differe n t s a re

forced Th e di fl eren t s in the I MA GINAL n e ver over
.

flo w wh olly i n t o on e a n other In so fa r a s they do .

o verfl o w y o u h a ve c o mpe n etra ti on a n d cre a tive

cha n ge But they h a ve a st a n din g a l so of their
.

o wn . They m o dify on e a n other but they a r e a lso ,

s elf c on servin g
-
even a mid ch a n ge Thi s s itu a ti on
, .

i s expre ssed a s the ir e xtern a lity t o on e a n o ther

a s the coexi sten ce of differen t s ha vin g di ffere n t
p ositi on s Note h owever tha t thi s out s iden e ss or
.
, ,

exte rn a lity o f o n e t o a n o ther i s n e ver c omplete .

All the difl ere n t s bel on g t o the c on ten t of the

I M AGIN A L a n d a r e rel a ted therein They a r e rela ted .
,

in dee d a s m ore or le ss i n depen den t a ge n t s tha t

, ,

a s s e n ti e n t h a ve a cquired a n ovel re a lity of thei r

,

own . They a r e m e mbers of a S ystem which sh ows

“ “
a t on ce c on ti n uity a n d l oosen e ss the loosen e ss
o f which we m a de me n ti on durin g the di s cu ss i on
“
a b o ut Thin g s in Pa rt II They a r e a g e n t s e a ch
”
.
,

o f which h a s i t s ce n tre o f re s i st a n ce t o o blit e ra ti o n ,

a n d a l so i t s s phere of in flue n ce
, , .
 THE WORLD AS IM AG INATION

Th e c on flict of these self c on servin g a gen t s pre -

s e n t s a n imp a ss e Thi s i s met by the in ven ti on or

.

cre a ti on o f s p a ce a n o vel m a n n er in which they

a r e t o ex is t together a m o dified s imult a n eity a s we
, ,

c a lled it Th e in ven ti on p on der it well ca n n ot

.
, ,

p os s i bly be a ttr i bu ted wholly to the mi n or a gen ts them

s elv es . It i s of
c osmic s c ope in clude s them legi s , ,

la te s for them It implic a te s the im a gin a l a ctivity

.

o f the wh ole t o which the s e a gen t s bel on g ; it

,

s how s further the prin ciple of cre a ti on verita bly

, ,

a t work We fou n d th a t the c a u sa l dyn a mic a ls o

.

compelled u s t o l o ok in l a st res ort t owa rd thi s , ,

whole Thi s i s a very imp ort a n t c on sidera ti on

.
,

a n d s erve s t o prep a re u s for wh a t i s t o foll ow

i n i t s pr o per pl a ce .

Thi s con crete heterogen eou s sp a ce of a gen t s h a vin g

differen t p osition s a n d re a l in the fulle st sen se in
,

which a n y m o de of c on ten t of the I M AGINA L c a n be

re a l provide s u s with the Obj ective fa ct a n swerin g
,

t o the s ymb olic c on cept of cert a in m a them a tic ia n s

( u s u a lly very a b s tr a ct thi n ker s ) f a mili a r a s ,

”
a b solute s p a ce But let u s repe a t th a t it i s
.
, ,

e ssen ti a lly a m a n n er of exi sten ce of a gen t s with

defi n ite qu a lita tive c on ten t s a n d n ot a n en tity ,

which might be full or empty with p o in t s fixed ,

in etern a l rela ti on s There c ould be n o . poin t s

in it were i t s qu a lit a tive fillin g t o di sa ppe a r It .

w ould n ot be perceptible a t a ll On the other h a n d .

,

the sp a ti a l m a nn er of exi stin g i s a n ovelty a dded t o

time ordered da t a a n d a s such c a ll s for the fulle s t
-
, , ,

ex a min a ti on on i t s own a cc ou n t It i s n ot t o be .

”
co n jured ou t of it s term s which a r e sometime s ,

s a id to be rela ted so a s t o c on s titute it It .

i s a ge n uin e in ven ti on a triumph of Cosmic

 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
i ce sp a ce or coexi ste n ce while m o difyin g the
s n ,

c on flict of the min or s en tien t s or a gen ts br i n gs n o ,

comp lete ha rmon y The s e s en tie n t s rem a in n ot

.

wholly extern a l t o on e a n other ; they a r e of on e

ti ssue on the ir c on ten t s ide with the I MAGIN AL a n d
, , ,

a r e still s ubj ect to the mutu a l pe n etr a ti on s o r i n

v a si on s expre ss in g the c on tin uity o f thi s I M A GIN AL .

The s e pen etr a ti on s pr ol on g th a t u n re st which i s

in di spen sa ble for the w orld pro ce ss Th e perfectly
-
.

s t a ble or st a tic s t a te i s a lwa y s u n a tt a in a ble Th e .

lives of the s en tien t s a r e furthered a n d thwa rted by

the c on ten t s which a re thru st up on them An d i n .

the a ct o f con servin g them selve s they m ove towa rd

other furth erin g s en tien t s a n d a wa y from thwa rtin g
At tr a cti on an d on es— there a r e b o rn th ose first a ttra cti o n s
r ep ul s mn
and repul si on s t ra c t a tin g and ll i
'

p e a t n g ,

as cert a in c a utiou s men o f scien ce wo uld s a y )

which h a ve s o o ften been mi sdes cribed a s origin a l
forces .

Ea ch primitive a gen t i s a ctive in re spect of a

s itu a ti on due t o the o ther s ther e i s n o s ep a ra ble
”
e n tity c a ll it En ergy a b rac a da bra or wh a t yo u
, , ,

will which is tra n sferred fro m the se a gen t s t o

,

th ose Th e qu a lita tive c on ten t s of these a gen t s in

.
,

s o fa r a s they in va de the c on te n t s o f th os e c on s ti ,

tute ( wh a t in M ill s la n gua ge we ma y c a ll ) the

,
’

a s s embla ge o f phe n om e n a which being pre sen t

, ,

s o me n e w phe n o me n on commen ces Thi s c o m

”
.

m en c in g i s a n im a g in a l cre a ti on of n ove lty which i s

n ot in the a sse mbla ge a s such a t a ll An d .

the a ctivity a t work i s th a t which s u s ta i n s t h e being

o f t h e a ge n t s c o n cer n ed Lookin g a t the problem
.

thu s we c a n surmi se wh a t the s ymb ol ogy Of t h e

,

con s erva ti on o f En ergy h a s c o n ce a l e d S en tien t .

 CONS E RVATION OF EN ER GY
pri mitive a gen t A pen etra tin g B a n d C within the C r ti
, on se v a ve

c on tin uity of the I MAGIN A L i s c on served

“
H a vin g fififi fi d ,
.
n

in va ded them it i s wi thin them ( ju st a s a n in va din g 123

,
1 1 118 2 ”

“
Germ a n a rmy cross in g the Fren ch fron tier is in E gy n er

Fra n ce l ) Wha t o ccu rs n ow within B a n d C c a n

.
t

be expre ssed a s the tra n sform a tion o f En ergy of

the b o ok s It in di c a te s in truth a crea ti ve ha bi t of
.
, ,

N a tur e a
, la w s uch a s we di scu ssed in the l a st

ch a pter S trictly s pea kin g A B a n d C will n ot

.
, , ,

meet twice u n ch a n ged On the other h a n d if D .

, ,

which i s lik e A pen etr a tes E a n d F which a r e like

, ,

B a n d C there will be the c o mmen cin g of a n e w

,

phen omen on or e ffect like the l a st An d thi s un i .

formity of c a u sa ti on c a n be f ormul a ted i n t e rm s

of En ergy
”
when the n ece ssa ry qu a n tita tive sta n
,

da rds o f mea suremen t ( which a re Often highly

c on ven ti on a l ) a re foun d .

But qu a n tity a fter a ll i s the ma nn er in which

, ,

qu a litie s in ten se a n d e xte n s e fill or o ccupy the

, ,

I M AG IN AL An d the qua li tati ve tra n sf orm a ti on in a

.

c a s e o f c a u sa ti on i s the domin a tin g fa ct s o fa r a s ,

the c osmic pr oce ss i s c on cern ed In the m a tter .

,

then o f the c on serva ti on o f En ergy o u r a tti

,

tude i s this Th e c on te n t a ctivity c on se rva tive a n d C

.
-
o n ser v a t i on

cre a tive in the I M AGIN A L i s the e ssen ce o f t h e

, of

pr oce ss symb olis ed In s o fa r a s A en ters in t o B .

m ea su r e ”
,

it i s c on served there : when I en ter a h ou s e I

a m with in it ! But it i s cha n ged in s o fa r a s the
i a e —
in va di n g qu a lity s lt red this i s the cre a tive
s id e o f the bu s in e s s An d the more qu a lity th e re i s
.

prese n t t o be ch a n ge d the more o f t h e n e w c o m ,

m en c in g phen om en o n will there be Thi s is t h e .

true c on serva tive crea tive pro c e ss An d the equi

-
.

va len ce s o f En e rgy c a u sa tion a re s ee n thu s t o be

-
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
cons erva ti v e wa ys of tra n sforma ti on within the
I MA GINA L ; wa ys implyi n g ba la n ci n gs or mutua l
checki n gs o f qu a litie s which a r e perpetu a lly be in g

ra i sed or reduced t o the i r bes t worki n g pr op orti on s

i n their very c on flict To thi s exte n t ther e i s a
.

di vin ity o f me a sure o verrulin g the turm o il o f

the Na ture h a bit s them selve s

-
.

C osmic m oti on reg a rded from the a b stra ct

, ,

merely m a them a tic a l p o in t o f view h a s been tra n s ,

formed in t o somethin g el se Moti on con si sts .

mere ly in the o ccup a ti on of differen t pla ce s a t

differen t time s subj ect t o c on tin uity ! of t he m a the
,

m a t i c a l kin d ! There i s n o tr a n sitio n fro m

.

pl a ce t o pl a ce n o c on secutive m o men t or c on secu

,

tive p ositi on n o such thin g a s vel ocity except in the

,

s en s e of a re a l n umber which i s the limit o f a cert a in

Thi s ma y le a d t o the c on cep

”
s e t of qu otie n t s
1
.

—
ti on often imp orted in t o met physic s th a t we
a —
”
live in a n un ch a n gin g world a s the m a them a ticia n
,

Weierstra ss m a in t a in ed Weier stra ss ove rl ooked t h e

.

fa ct th a t there a r e other phen o men a t o be in ter

r et e d be s ide s a s pect s o f the n a tura l o rder which
p ,

he de sired for h i s o wn purp ose s t o tra n sl a te in t o

, ,

a b s tr a cti on s Th e re a re very m a n y ch a n ge s e g
.
,
. .

within my men ta l el a b ora ti on o f thi s e ssa y which ,

c a n n ot p ossibly be reduc e d t o ch a n gele ssn e ss An d .

the se a n d like phen o men a give the clue a s t o h ow

I a m t o tre a t the phen o men a of the la rger regi on s
beyon d my p a le .

For Willia m Ja me s con crete m oti on a s p ercei ved i s

a c on tin u ou s fe eli n g onl y dec omp o sed i n t o e le men t s
—s ucce s s iv e p o rti o n s s ucce ss iv e ly o ccupied by the

1 B r tr
e a nd Russell, P ri nc i p le f
o M a thema ti cs , p . 4 73 .
 THE W OR L D AS IM A IN ATIO N G
h o wever t o be a llo wed for When I picture a ma n
,
.

pil oti n g a n a ero pl a n e I cre a te for myself a t a n y , ,

ra te a sp a ti a l w orld but n ot a sen ti en t pil ot in it

, , .

Th e p i l o t i s a con ten t n ot a n a gen t wh o i s c on sci o u s

,

“
Th e C o smic Im a g i n in g cre a te s re a lity
”
1
or s ci o u s .

—
which c a n be the s ea t o f sen tien t s of you me a n d , ,

the m en wh o work m a chin e gu n s in a er o pl a n e s It -

.

i s well th a t ou r o wn pre sen t cre a tive power s a r e

le s s exten sive .

Ridicul ou s thin g s h a ve been writte n a b out moti on .

Thu s m a teri a li st s h a ve urged th a t con s ci ou s life

i s m otio n in the bra in — a sort o f a b str a ct m oti o n

which i s tra n smis sible fro m on e a b stra ct

m a teri a l p oin t to a n other Th e truth is th a t c on .

s ci ou s hum a n l i fe cre a ted thi s a b str a ct m oti on as ,

product of i t s thi n kin g ju st a s it h a s cre a ted the ,

”
figme n t m a teria l un it held to be devo id Of ,

p sychic a l a spects .

Th e Ca rte si a n s thought th a t it i s in c on ceiva ble

th a t on e b o dy c a n m a ke a n other m o ve wi thout
i mp a ct ( th ough steel fi lin g s a s we kn o w re spo n d , ,

t o the pre s en ce of a m a g n et even thr ough gl a s s a n d ,

the Ea rth i s clea rly n ot in di ffe ren t t o the Sun a n d

Moon ) But it i s e qua lly i n con ceiva ble on
.
“
,
”

Ca rte si a n li n e s h ow a b o dy m ove s after i mp a ct

, ,

or ,i n de e d why it re si st s a n other a t a ll Th e
, .

1
b r p t t t f th W rld Id
Rese m li n g i n t hi s es ec con en o e o - ea or

IM N L b f r fi i t
AG I A ti t g t b g
e o e t b
n e s en en a en s e an o e .

It i b t h w
s esr f rt i r
, o t t d id i t
ev e , or ce a n ea son s, n o o ec e n oo

sw pi g f hi th t ll th th ght r ti t whi h w
ee n a as on a a e ou -c ea on s, o c e

gi veb i rt h d id
, f
a re t i t i d f h
ev oi w T h r o a sen en s e o t e r o n . e e a re

ce rt i a n p msu ph m th t gg t
ern or a pp it en o en a a su es an o os e

Vei w . H w r t y r t w d t r t ti t pil t
o ev e ,
a an a e, e o no c ea e se n en o s
 B EGINN IN G S OF M OTION
diffi culty is tha t for the Ca rte s ia n
, bodie s a re ,

onl y mode s of exte n s i on n ot suppos ed to m a sk

p s ychic a l lif e ; the live s of the mmor sen tien t s or
n a tur a l a ge n t s As s o o n a s you a ll o w for the s e
.

live s di ffic ul tie s va n i sh

, There i s n o pr oblem a s t o
.

why my b ody m ove s t owa rd the girl with the

a llurin g eyes There i s a p sychic a l impul s i on
.

the furtherin g of my sen ti en t lif e Ju st so on e .

primitive n a tura l a gen t m ove s to wa rd or a wa y ,

fr om a n other ; it s rude p sychic a l bein g i s s omeh o w

,

furthered or thwa rted thereby a n d i t s m oti on s a re ,

the outwa rdly directed a ctivity e xpressin g the se

fa ct s .

Th e Ca rte sia n s a ga in c ould detect n o c onn exio n

, ,

between c ons ci ou s l ife a n d m otion s a n d fell t o the

in ven tin g of O cca sio n a l Ca u se s t o lin k them up .

O f c ourse if you first s e pa ra te the twa in you mu st

, ,

ta ke your severa n ce se ri ou sly a n d n ot c ompla in

la ter of the dea dl ock Th e tru th i s tha t c osmic a lly
.
,

rega rded m oti on so fa r from bein g severed fro m

, ,

c on sciou s l ife i s on e of the forms of i ts con ten t Eve n

,
.

I a m c on s ci ou s of m oti on s a m on g m a n y other pha s e s

of c on ten t Th e C I c o mprise s m oti on s a n d a ls o
. . .

men s th ought s a b out them— a n d in defin itely much

’

e lse c on n ected with th i s world pr o ce ss But there -

.

is n o re a son t o reg a rd the s e m o ti on s a s m ore

di ffi t to c onn ect with it s c on sci ou s life tha n a r e
o ther co n te n t s ; they begi n wi thi n i t a n d we c a n ,

even s urm ise a s in th is es sa y why a n d wherefore

, ,

they begin .

We n ee d n ot dwell a g a in on the c on tro versy a s A b s ol ute

t o whether there a re a b so lute motio n s mea sure

a ble in te rm s o f a b s olut e s pa c e a n d t ime Our .
 THE WORL D AS IM AGINATION

a ttitude rega rdin g sp a ce a n d time h a s decided the

on e vit a l issue If I c ould p ercei v e a t a gl a n ce the
.

en tir e co n ten t s which a re fini te of the I MA GIN A L

, ,

m a n ifested in N a ture I S ho ul d a wa re a system with ,

a perpetu a lly a lterin g a rr a n geme n t of i t s member s

rela tively to a concr ete heterogen e ou s sp a ti a l wh ole

a n d t o on e a n other Y o u c a n tr a n sl a te this s itu a
.

ti on in t o m a them a tic a l con cepti on s if you lik e but , ,

the m a in poin t to n ote is th a t su n s pl a n et s sticks , , ,

st on e s et c a r e re a lly a lterin g re a l p os ition s in a

, .
,

system a n d c a n be u n der st oo d a s d o i n g s o for the

, ,

purpo se s of meta physic s in the m a nn er which h a s ,

been sugge sted here .

It i s ometime s a sked— Woul d a m ovin g b o dy

s

( i e
. a . gr o up o f primitive n a tur a l a ge n t s ) c o n ti n ue
t o move if a ll o ther b o die s in the sp a ti a l s ystem
were a nn ih il a ted ; a n d in this s en se doe s it p osse ss , ,

an a b s olute m o ti on o f i t s o wn Th e a n swer i s
tha t it woul d ce a se to exis t a s a body It s re a lity .
,

p os iti on a n d m o tion s pre supp os e inn umera ble rela

,

ti on s with the re st of the system The se pre sen t .

,

it is a b ody the s e a n n ihil a ted it bel on g s n o l on ger , ,

by suppo s iti on t o a n a tura l o rder a t a ll On the

, .

o ther h a n d a completely s elf dep en den t b o dy m o vin g

,
-

in a n a bs olute sp a ce a l s o a s elf dep en den t e n tity ,

-

= merely ro o m for m o tio n

( ) woul d by s upp os ition , , ,

co n tin ue t o move if the first la w o f motion is ,

rigi dl y true But the sp a ce in que sti on i s a c on

.

c e t ua l in ve n tio n a n d the la w a l s o s eems t o require

p ,

revisio n .

Fl a m sted a gre a t pra ctic a l a stron omer of h is

,

da y l o oked on the l a ws of moti on ( the m os t

,

impre ssive perh a ps of the la ws o f Na ture n ext

, , ,
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
Poin ca re ugge sts a prin ciple of wider a ppli c a
s

ti on the a ccelera tio n of a b o dy depen ds onl y on

it s p os itio n a n d th a t of n eighb o ur in g bodie s a n d
on their vel o cities — a n d urges th a t thi s c on te n

tion i s veri fied by a stron omy a n d ma y be a pplied

with succe ss even t o the dom a in of the impe rce p
t ible s of phys ic s .

Th e s econ d la w ch a n ge of motion is pro por

,

t i on a l t o the impre ssed Force a n d t a ke s pla ce i n the

a ls o m a ke s u se o f the
”
directio n of th a t Force ,

Th e cha n ge of m otion is the

”
ficti on Force .

onl y me a sure a n d eviden ce of the exi ste n ce o f the

, ,

Force which otherwi se completely elude s u s .

All th a t i s
’
Hegel s critici s m i s releva n t here
s pecified a s c on t a in ed in F orce i s the sa me a s wh a t

i s s pec i fied in the Exerti on a n d the expla n a ti on of ,

a phe n o me n on from a f orce i s t o th a t exte n t a mere , ,

t a utol ogy .
1 ”
S uch a la w of o bvious use in pra c ,

tice h a s n o prete n s ion s t o be a truth reve a lin g

,

Ultim a te Re a lity .

Th e truth of the third la w t o every a ction there ,

i s a lwa ys a n equ a l a n d c on tr a ry rea cti on or the ,

mutu a l a cti on s of a n y t wo b odi e s a r e a lwa ys equ a l

a n d o pp os itely d i rected h a s been que sti on ed even
”
,

by some writers on mecha n ic s An d a ll wh o require .

v er ifica ti on by f a ct before they a ccept a truth ,

cla im of this sort a s va lid mu st reg a rd the st a te ,

me n t a s onl y a pproxim a tely true Th ere is n ot .

in N a ture o b s erve s P oin c a r e in S ci en ce a n d Hypo

”
,

thes i s, any sy s tem perfectly i s ol a ted but

there a re syste m s which a r e n ea rly is ol a ted If we .

ob s erve such a system we ca n study n ot on ly the ,

1
W lla a c e, Logic o f Hegel , p . 2 13 .
 THE P OSTU LATES OF MOTION
rela tive m oti on s of its di fferen t p a rts with re spect
to ea ch o ther but the m oti on of it s cen tre of gr a vity
,

with re spect t o the other p a rts of the u n iver se We .

fin d tha t the m oti on of it s cen tr e of gr a vity is n e a rly

un if orm a n d re ctilin e a r in c on f ormity with Newt on s ’

thir d la w Th is i s a n experime n t a l fa ct which

.

c a nn ot be in va lida t e d by m ore a ccura te experim en t .

Wh a t in fa ct would m ore a ccura te experime n t

, ,

te a ch u s It woul d te a ch us th a t the la w is on ly
a pprox im a tely true a n d th a t we k n ew a lre a dy
, .

Thus is expla in ed h o w experimen t ma y s erve a s a

ba s is for the prin ciple s of mech a n ic s a n d yet will
”
n ever in va lida te them .

B a in foun d o nl y on e prin ciple t o be reve a led C se r v a t ion

g
o

in the s e l a ws the c on serva ti on of

-
En ergy of
m t ° l °n °
un der redistribution There is u n doubte dl y a con
.

ser va ti on in vo lved but it i s n ot th a t of a n

, En ergy
en tity critic ism of which we n eed n ot repea t
, .

All la ws th a t rec ord un if ormitie s of c a u sa ti on ,

a ppr o xim a te o r oth e r bri n g u s b a ck t o the con

,

s erva ti v e a cti v i ty th a t c on curs with cre a ti on in

cha n ge They in di c a te h a bit s of Na ture Th e
. .

first p ostu la te of m oti on a s we ought t o c a ll it , ,

w orks u sefully wi thi n ou r li mi ted ra n ge of exp er i en ce .

G a lile o s view o f in ertia the a n c e st or of the la w

’
,

a n d of this p ostula te a sserted th a t on ce se t m o vin g

, ,
“
free fro m the a cti on o f a n extra n e ou s b o dy a n d
left wh olly t o itself the m a teria l p o in t c on tin ue s t o
,

move in a stra ight l in e so a s t o de scribe e qu a l sp a ce s

in equ a l ti m e s .But wha t rea lly is a m a teri a l
po in t Our in ven ti on Wha t in fa ct obta in s in
.
, ,

Na ture c onsidered a s in depen den t of your a n d my

perception s Gr oups of sen ti en t con ten ts or a gen ts ,
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
“

furtherin g a n d thwa rtin g on e a n other in a concrete

s p a ce which i s n oth in g a p a rt fr o m i t s diff ere n t qu a li

t a t i v e c on te n t s .

When a m a teri a l p oin t i e a group of such , . .

a ge n t s is a t re s t rel a tively t o c on tigu ou s gr o up s in

,

thi s sp a ce it ten ds a s a lwa ys to cons erv e i t s sta te

, , , .

Thi s h o wever is n ot p a ssivity bu t a n a cti v e con

, , ,

s erv a ti on a ki n , i ndeed , to tha t a cti v i ty wher eby the

i ts elf , i n the f a bs en ce o a cr ea ti v e ep i s ode, en du r es .

“
In the c a s e of imp a ct there i s a disturb a n ce in
the live s of the gr oup a n d the re sultin g a cti on i s,

e sc a pe fro m the in va s ive c on ten t s : s elf c on serv a -

ti on expressed in m oti on Thi s m oti on a lwa ys .

le a ve s the gr oup in rel a ti on s with o th e r gr oup s so ,

”
th a t G a lileo s c a se of a m a teri a l p o in t left wh olly
’
,

t o it self i s purely hyp othetic a l ; d oe s n ot o bt a i n

,

a ctu a lly i n f a ct But let th is p a ss Note n ow th a t

. .

the m otio n is truly the expre ssi on of the c on serva

—
tive a c t a n d n ot a n imp a rted a ttribute it is the
re sp on se of the gr oup t o the c on ten t s itu a tio n -

’
a ris in g within it Th e gr oup s cl a im t o a pl a ce i n
.

re a lity h a s been men a ced But o n ce in iti a ted the .

m o veme n t ten ds t o c on tin ue a n ew wa y of a ctin g

h a s been st a rted a n d th i s t oo in i t s turn ten d s t o
, , ,

p ers i s t C
. on s erv a tive p s ychic a l a ctivity s uch a s ,

we h a ve di scu ssed in thi s w ork i s the well sprin g ,

-

o f the per s is ten ce in dic a ted r oughly by the fir s t

p ostula te of m oti on .

Needl e lm ost t o urge th a t the m in or a gen t s

ss a

a r e n ot live s s uch a s we hum a n s c o ul d c a ll in tel

li g e n t. They a r e n ot we ma y be sure the se a t s , ,

o f the di stin cti on s o f s elf and n o t s elf their -

“
s peciou s pre sen ts mu st be of min im a l sp a n in ,
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
s upp os in g th a t a n En tita tive O ccult E ergy
n is
’
s o meh o w co n served in the s to n e s p ositi on .

Th e te a s we kn o w it m a sks a gro up o f sen

s on , ,

tien t c on ten t s or a gen t s The s e m ove to wa rd .

o ther s uch gr o up s in the wa c ll ed gr a vita tive

y a , ,

bec a u s e their live s a r e in so me m a nn er furthered

, ,

thereby An d thi s ten de n cy in them which a n swer s

.
,

di sta n tly t o wh a t in o u r own devel oped sen tien cy

, ,

we c a ll des ire p ersi sts It per s i st s on the gr oun d

,
”
.

o f the v a lley— i t per s is t s though n ot so stron gly , ,

o n the top of the mou n t a in N othi n g els e p ers i sts .

or i s cons er v ed on the top There i s n o thin g .

which my climb up the spire of the Ch a rmoz h a s

c onf erred o n the st on e a s s uch It i s storin g n oth in g .

th a t I h a ve l o st If it tumble s down to the v a lley

.

a g a in it will a cquire of c o ur s e mome n tum st a te a ble

, , ,

a s s o much ki n etic En ergy a n d co n vertible

i n to he a t e t c But it ma y n ot fa ll a t a ll An d
, . .
,

keepin g it s p os iti on it c on ta in s n othin g l a ten t in

,

the s ha pe o f a n En ergy which i s strivin g lik e ,

En cel a du s un der Etn a to bre a k f orth , It c o m .

pri se s o n ly a per si ste n t ten de n cy c o mp a ra ble , ,

perha p s with des ire in o ur selve s which gi ven

, , ,

oth er i n di sp en sa ble con di ti on s will i ssue i n m o ti on ,

.

Thu s the c on serva tion in thi s c a se c a rr ie s u s b a ck

on ce m o re t o c on serv a tive p sychi c a l a ctivity If .

y o u w a n t to u se the s t o n e t o d o work y o u h a ve ,

t o depen d on a n d m a ske d p sychic a l fa ct or s

”
u se , ,
.

Y o u d o so u n witt in gly Th e ora t or wh o wa n t s t o

.

u se a cr o wd a n d s eek s hi s e n d by e n li stin g the

,
’
cr owd s h a bit s of em oti on in h i s c a u se d oe s the sa me ,

s ort of thin g deliber a tely Th e supreme wa y o f .

u sin g f olk i s t o let them f oll ow their ben t while ,

a t the sa me time they a r e subservin g y o ur s .

 AT THE GATES OF IN O RG ANIC EVOLUTION 491

4 With the birth Of c on crete sp a ce a n d m oti on s

.

a n d the c omin g o f the i n defin itely n umer o u s n oveltie s

ren dered p oss ible thereby we a r e a t the g a te s ,

o f in o rga n ic ( so c a lled ) ev o luti on ; on the leve l Of

-

l o wly f o rm s of s tructura l life Th e I M AGIN AL ha s .

tra n sformed it self from a ch a n gele ss h a rm on y o f

s imul ta n e ou s con ten t in t o c oex is ten ce s ordered ,

s ucce ss i on s a ttr a cti on s a n d repuls i on s of a gents big

,

with n ew c on ten t —in a word in to the pr ote a n pro ,

ce ss of Na ture An d the prin cipl e of crea ti on i s

.

c on served sta bly in t h e very s wirl of it s own ill u s

tra t i v e ch a n ge s Aga in a n d a ga in o ccur c ompen e
.

tra t i on s th a t a re c onfl ict s a n d the cre a tive im a gin in g

which brin gs provi si on a l h a rm on y t o them In O urpri
i N tur
. n s se s
n a e
the c ours e of thi s ima gin a l impro vi sa ti on a ris e wh a t .

we ma y c a ll surp ri ses i e eve n t s which c oul d n ot , . .

ha ve been fore seen even by a g od a t the da wn o f

ch a n ge This i s the c a s e a lso in hum a n crea tive
.

work a s when the very gr owt h Of hi s pla y p oem

, , ,

mu s ic a l c omp osition etc c omp e l s the ma n t o in ven t

, .
,

n o vel s tro ke s n ever c on te mpl a ted whe n h is ta s k

,

bega n .

The se urprise s o ccur on t h e la rge s c a le a n d in

s

the deta il of Na ture Th e system itself a n d the .

m ore or le ss di s cre te s en tien t a gen t s within it ar e

a like s uch stu ff a s fa n ci e s a re m a de of S urprises .

rega rded a s the Object s o f o ur lik e s a n d dislik e s a r e

of a ll so rt s S ome a re even a bomin a ble ; would
.

be u n in telli gible even t s o f t h e a byss were it n ot ,

tha t cha n ce ha ppen in g s n ot full y sub o rdin a ted t o

-
,

a n o ve rrulin g purp o s ive lif e h a ve t o be a ll o wed for 1 , .

N a ture is rem a de from in sta n t to in s t a n t in fin ite

1
Cf . Ch a n ce , r
Pa t II Ch a . p . V
. p . 3 77 .
 THE WORLD AS IMAGIN ATION
pulse s or step s Of ch a n ge ; it is n ot a ch a n g in g of
in fi n itely n umerou s gra da tion s 1
Th e step s a r e a kin .

to tho se which m a rk a cre a tive t a sk of my own ;

s udden j ump s a fter rel a tive re st s Th e primitive .

n a tura l a ge n t s in meetin g c on s pire t o ever fre s h

re sult s The s e re sult s a ga in pen etra te in evit a bly

.
, ,

in t o o ther a gen t s ; a n d complexitie s o f ch a n ge

multiply ; deriva tive l a ws of c a u sa tion a n d c o
exi sten ce a s so me c a ll them a r e origin a ted in a ll
, ,

qu a rters S oon er or la ter group s of the s e a gen t s

.
,

in tim a tely rel a ted on a b a sis of mutu a l furtherin g ,

mutu a l prom oti on of on e a n other s livin g a re b orn ; ’

a n d m a n y o f the s e a ttr a ctio n c o mplexe s a re t o be -

c on s erved for en orm ous peri ods a s mea sured by

o u r s t a n d a rd s o f time Th e s e c o mplexe s a g a in
.
, ,

a ttra ct o ther c o mplexe s a n d there a r is e yet m ore ,

imp orta n t gr oup s or pri mitive b o dies Co mplexe s .

,

with subordi n a te c o mplexes c ome t o exi st The s e ,

.

“
ma y be symb oli sed rudely a s
”
s u b a tom s elec -
,

s u b electr on s An on a ppea r
”
a n d the like
”
tron s,
-
,
.

the complexe s ( which a r e verit a ble m in i a ture

s ys tem s ) symb oli s ed in chemistry a s a tom s

their specie s or kin ds h a vin g di fferen t da te s of

o rig in a n d l on ger or s h orter c a reer s I n orga n ic .

evoluti on chemic a l a stron omic ge ologic etc will

, , , ,
.
,

h a ve begun .

Bef ore procee di n g further we sh a ll in dulge in a

digre ss i on re n dered timely by the con st a n t refer
,

en ces t o s e n tie n t s which a r e bein g forced up on

us . An d in do in g s o we sh a ll e n la rge our gra s p Of
wha t we h a ve termed the I MA GIN AL or World
Ide a in a very imp o rta n t wa y .

1
. r
Cf Pa t 11 Cha . p . 111 .
g4 .
 THE WORL D AS IM A GINATION
“
of protoz o ic sen tie n cy mu st n ot be conf oun ded ,

Th e pri mi t iv e with either m on a ds or selve s They a r e n ot .

n a t u ra l a g e n t s
a r e n ot win dowle ss en titie s members o f a plura li stic ha rm on y
,

mon a ds or
selv e s .
” which a r e self depen de n t a n d exi st in solid sin gle
-

n e ss .They p osse ss c on te n t s which a r e of on e ti ssue

wi th the r es t of the con ten ts of the I M AGIN AL a n d belon g , ,

i n deed pr i ma ri ly to thi s I M A G IN A L
,
It i s it s s ci o u s .

s ide lightin g a s it were a tin y a re a Of the s e c on te n t s

, , , ,

th a t deta ches the min or a gen t i n so fa r a s it c a n ,

be det a ched fro m other a gen t s a n d fr o m the c omm on

,

IMA GIN A L Ea ch s ci ou s a gen t i s a wa re of c on ten t ;

.

a wa r i n g i s n ever b a re but a lwa ys of this a n d th a t ,

a n d th o s e c on te n t s But the c on crete life which

.

a wa r e s c o n te n t s a b a n d c i s cut O ff from the c on

, ,

Th e crete li fe which a wa r es d e a n d f Thu s the a ri sin g , ,

.

s ol i tude of
s e n t i en t l i f e .
Of the a ge n t s which a re a ll s ci ou s of di fferen t
,

a n d very limited c on te n t s i s secured a t a price , .

Fin ite scio u s life i s b orn n ece ssa rily in a s oli tude .

Ea ch s en tien t seem s t o exclude ev e ry o ther It is .

th a t which a wa r e s a b c a n d n ot th a t which a wa re s
, , ,

d e f
, ,
It i s a l so a co n serva tive a wa rin g a ctivity
.
, ,

i n re s pect Of a b c a n d fa i lin g pen etra tion s might

, , , , ,

n ever a lter in to a n ythin g els e thro ugh ete rn ity .

Thi s s oli tude Of

fin ite s en tien t lif e which ofte n
o ppre ss e s a n d di sm a ys u s eve n in cr o wded h a u n t s , ,

s eem s a f e a ture o f the time pr o ce ss which is n o t

-

de stin ed t o be perm a n en t It i s n ot o f c our se a n .

, ,

ill u si on ( a s so m e my stic s h a ve c a ll e d it
) but ,

it depen d s it would a ppe a r on c on diti on s tha t a re

, ,

u n st a ble th a t c a n n ot e n dure Eve n n ow the sen

,
.

t ien t s a r e n ot o nl y p a rted but i n terc onn ected by , ,

the c on ten t s di fferen tia tin g them ; the s e c on te n ts

b e l on gin g t o c omm on Ima gin a ls a n d tha t la rge r
wo h le— the I M A G IN A L— a s well a s s howi n g in them .
 NU CLEARS

An d ,ga in there is a n iden tity in a wa r i n g c omm on

a ,

t o a ll p oss ible in st a n c e s of it w hi ch we c a n c on
c e iv e But the que sti on of the perm a n en ce or
.

imperm a n en ce of the in sul a ted sen tien t is n ot yet

releva n t .

Th e l owe st sen tie n t w e sa id i s cert a inl y n ot

, a Th ,
e l owes t

self.
”
S elf a n d n ot self a re slo wly won
”
-

di stin cti on s within a c en tre of rela tively a dva n ced

c on sciou s life Y ou do n ot a sk wheth e r a j e llyfis h
.

o r a m oeb a — a n d th e se a r e o n a level o f s e n tie n cy

much higher tha n th a t o f the primitive n a tur a l

a ge n t s— is t o be reg a rded a s An y a n d
”
a se lf .

every stre a m Of experien ce d oe s n ot c ompris e a

On the oth e r h a n d it ma y c o mpri se m a n y
”
s elf
.
, .

In the c a se of hum a n s e n tien t s there is a n eutrum ,

withi n which the self a n d n ot self d istin o -

ti ons a ri se ; a n d occ a si on a lly in deed s evera l differe n t

, ,

s elve s ma y origin a te thu s within on e stre a m .

But n on e of the se will be felt a s re a litie s i den ti ca l

wi th thei r pa sts a n d therefo re a s s elve s g e n ui n ely
, , ,

worth the n a me un le ss memory i s pre sen t on a sc a le

,

which n o u n devel oped s en tien t c ould en j oy .

The se lowe st kin ds of primitive n a tura l s en tien t s N ucl ea r s .

m a y be c a lled N u clea rs a s b e in g t h e n uclei r ou n d

,

which a ll sub sequen t ev oluti on of Na ture c ompli

c a te s Th e Nu cle a r s a r e the ultima te qu a lit a tive
.

—
ra dic a l s of pre ch e mic a l in orga n ic e volution
the r ela ti vely sta ble cores in the fl ux ju st a s t h e eighty ,

t wo elemen t s so c a lled a re for -

in orga n ic
chemistry a n d the c a rb on
, ra di c a l s a re for
o rg a ni c c on structi on Th e Nuclea r might be c om
.

p a red t o the word This l a tter in u se h a s a m ore or

.

le ss st a ble c o re Of me a n in g with which it en ters in to

 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION

rela tion s with other word s a me a n in g

1
h owever , ,

which a ffect s a n d is a ff ected by a ll the c on text

, ,

words a n d the wh ole i n to whi ch they melt Alt ered .

thu s in on e co n text it i s a ltered other wi se in a n other

, ,

a n d yet is felt t o ret a in a cert a in in tri n s ic st a bility

the while It is a n . ela stic device which c a n

be stretched in di fferen t wa ys with out hurt t o it self .

Nevertheless slowly but surely a s we a pply it

, , ,

i t s me a n in g for u s will ch a n ge SO in the c a s e Of .

the Nucle a r It i s su fficien tly ela stic t o va ry

.

with v a ryi n g rel a ti on s sufficien tly u n st a ble t o be

,

of va lue t o a ch a n gi n g w orld Th e va ried st a bilitie s

.

of N u clea r s a r e n ece s s a r ily of e n orm ou s imp o rt

a n ce : a vit a l a spect o f the imm a n e n t pl a n They .

a r e the cu st o di a n s of n a tur a l En ergy a n d qu a lity

”

a n d they u n derlie the differ en t st a b ilitie s which

ch a ra cteri se the chemi stry of Na ture Th e c a reers .

Of phy s ic a l s y stem s a s we k n o w a r e limited by t h e

, ,

ra te s a t which their a t om s m ove t owa rd di s

s oluti on ; a n d the s e r a te s pr e s upp o s e the e n duri n g

of the u n its which the a t o mic c o mplex e s

c ompri se If the c a reer of Ura ni um a s h a s been
.
,

c a lcula ted i s on e of 7
,
ye a rs th a t Of the ,

Nuclea r of on e of it s c omprised sub a tom s or -

su b s u b a tom s
- - will be i n defin itely l on ger .

D th o
We
e
d o n o t reg a rd the N ucle a r a w a re n e ss a s i n -

gg fiffi ffig of and

”

l
cludi ng
n
the
‘
co n tra st s elf n ot s elf -
.

of m ti e d Ca n it be a verred th a t the s e p sychic a l exi sten t s

0 °n a n
,

ch x ? o ce
compri se even t s a k 1n t o emot on i s and ch oi ce 2

The reply i s th a t it w ould be a bsurd t o cre di t even

a n a m oeb a with a n em o ti on a l li fe a s we u n der st a n d

the term An d the c on t en t s o f the l owly Nucle a r

.

1
A w rd wi th tw p r
o o se a a te mea n ings i s t r
uly two w rdo s . I
a m no t i d ri g t h t
c ons e n a .
 THE WORLD AS IMA GINATION
p a i n a s t h e c on diti on s dicta te Cre a tive impr ovisa .

ti on if it d oe s n ot a b oli sh c on flict merely a lter s

, ,

the kin d s of p a in s i n c e n e w p a in ful s itu a ti on s a tt en d

,

the n e w c on flict s Th e ma rtyrdom of ma n i n

.

Hist ory suppli e s a n ill u stra ti on Ea ch cre a tive .

hi st oric a l s olution o r remedy lea ve s the p a tien t

s icke n in g with a n ew di s e a s e .

We c a n n ot h owever sa y tha t the a ffective life

, ,

o f a N ucle a r o r in deed a n mi n r s e n tie n t re embl es

, y o s ,

cl o sely this or th a t a m on g ou r p a rticula r plea sure s

a n d p a in s Whe n we experien ce a burn a foul
.
,

t a ste a t orturin g c olic we a r e in t ouch in de ed

, , , ,

with the a ffective st a t e s of i n defin i tely ma n y rela te d

min or s e n tien t s but we do n ot get rem otely n e a r
,

the sta tes Of s i n gle on es which mu st eve r elude a

direct experien ce limited so n a rr owly a s i s o u r own .

It i s be st a lwa ys t o c on fin e o ur selve s t o very ge n e ra l

s t a teme n t s in di scu ssin g the p sych olo gy o f th e se
elu sive den izen s of the a byss .

Th e Buddhi st la men t in g the reign of Du kkha

ill
( ) , a n d urg i n g the wi s e t o s eek t o e c
s a pe fr o m the
”
wheel of rebirth v o ice s the v ery wide spre a d
,

revolt Of huma n bein g s a ga in s t their pre sen t lot .

We a re obvi ou sly in the va lley Of t h e s h a dow Th e .

a n im a l s a r e le s s in the s h a d o w in p a rt bec a u s e they ,

re a lly su ffer le ss in p a rt bec a u se they t a ke thin g s

,

a s they c o me a n d c a nn ot thin k a bout the w orth o f

their live s a s wh ole s An d in the gre a t u n derw orlds

.

betwixt a n im a l s a n d the Nucle a r there i s fa r m ore ,

s u n light th a n s h a d o w In the se depth s i n deed we

.
, ,

c an inf er fr om the in te n se a ctivity wha t in o u r ,

l a n gu a ge w ould be c a lled a ri o t Of j oyo u s livin g

, .

A s tudy o f the Bro wn ia n m oveme n ts a n d the

 THE DANCE OF LIFE
i mperceptible m ovemen t s which un derlie v iisi ble
Na ture prepa res us t o un dersta n d this Elec .

”
tr on s , which c omplete their a t o mic o rbit s

th ousa n ds of milli on s Of time s a sec on d a r e c a se s in ,

p oin t Here i s the n orma l j oie de vivre which

.
,
”

on l i h
y n t e cas es o f c er ta i n cla s s es of s en t i en ts bec o me s

d omin a ted by p a in The se live s in the depth s

.
,

y o u will s a
y a r e rel a
,
tively s imple with very s imple
a ffective st a te s O bvi ou sly But you ma y a dd
. .
,

perh a p s wh a t m on ot on y mu st there be on th ose

,

levels Th e sugge sti on i s th a t m on ot on y i s

n eces s a r i l u ple t t t ll y f l e umpti o n
y n a s a n : a o a a s a ss

b a sed on mere phys i ologi ca l rea son s a pplic a ble t o

the c a se s Of sen tien ts with b odies lik e our s M on o .

t on y if it implie s a ctivity which i n the m a i n i s

,
”
, ,

un im peded ma y be a delight An d a re you s ure

, .

tha t the m on ot on y on the lo wer Na ture level s -

i s quite wh a t you c on ceive it t o be ? Remember

tha t we a r e t o be ob se ssed n o lon ger by the mech a n
i st i c symb oli sm o f s cie n ce We a r e dis cu ss in g li ves
.

o r p sychic a l exi ste n t s a n d n ot th ose gh o sts o f

,

defun ct bill i a rd b a lls which mech a n i sts cre a te We .

a r e c on s iderin g in s h ort the Da n ce o Li e in ste a d

, f f
, ,

o f a dra b a n d depre s s in g da n c e o f the de a d .

Ple a sure s a n d p a in s a re n ot it will be evide n t , ,

is ol a ble phen omen a which c ould be supp osed c a p a ble

Of existin g by them selve s They a re a djective s .

in sep a ra ble fr om o ther qua lita tive c on ten t Thi s .

ta st e i s n ot mixed with ple a sure the t a ste

”
is plea sa n t a n d the,
plea sure is the sort you get
onl y with the t a ste Th e s e a rch for a s ep a ra te
.

”
dis tributa ble existe n t plea sure ha pp in e ss ,
”
,

“
lo ve lin e ss wh a tever it i s t o be c a lled
” ”

j y
o , o r , ,

i s a s pr ofita bl e a s the hu n ti n g of t h e S n a rk .
 500 THE WORLD AS IMA GIN ATION
Ch oi c e a nd Choi ce preferen ce between altern a tive s
implie s a
t h e N uclea rs .

of a ction In so fa r a s Nuclea rs c on serve them selves

.

in the fl oo d o f furthera n ces a n d thwa rtin gs you ,

ma y i n cli n e t o sa y th a t they ch o o se or select lin e s

Of a ctio n But a fter a ll they a re n ot s elves
.
, ,

a ble t o h old the i r p a st s deliber a tely in review a n d

t o a n ticip a te the ir future s ; a n d choice with the ,

mea n in g it h a s ordin a rily for u s c a n n ot therefore , , ,

s ta n d . S uch preferen ces a s Nu clea rs sh ow a re

embo di ed in the immedia ten e ss Of their a ction s ,

n o t in a di sti n ct refl e ctive s electio n betwee n a lter

n a tive s In reg a rd Oi a much higher level e g th a t

.
,
. .

o f the ph a g o cyte which a ppr o a che s effete cell s a n d

a void s he a lthy o n e s o r th a t Of a b a cterium which i s

, ,

s a id to s p ot even the trill io n th p a rt Of a m i lli

gra m Of o xygen ( Rib o t ) i n a b o dy n e a r it we ,

o ught t o he s it a te bef o re we spe a k of ch o ice Reflec .

tive ch oice ma y be sugge sted a n d the con te n tio n

m
bec o e s a b surd If h owever the ch o ice s ugge sted
.
, ,

is th a t pre se n t whe n I do on e of two or three p oss ible

”
thi n gs on s ight a s in s electin g pla ce s for steps
,

when ru n n in g o r the best pot a to in a di sh O ffered

,

a t din n er the co n ten ti on is w orth c on sidera ti on

, .

But the fa ct th a t the ph a gocyte or b a c t erium is n ot

a s elf c o mpel s u s t o u se our phra se s wa rily
in deed It is i dl e t o empl oy words which i mply
.

th a t phen omen a d ifferi n g c on s idera bly do n t differ

, ,
’

a t a ll .

Th e iden tity Of a N uclea r ma y be un derstoo d

thu s It ch a n ge s but a lwa ys with a core of m ore
.
,

o r le ss sta ble c on te n t which i s forced t o lo s e cert a i n

qua litie s a n d to a ccept o thers In t en millio n .

milli on yea rs it s l a st st a ge ma y be very differen t

fr o m i t s fir st but wh a t o f th a t
, Ide n tities a lwa ys
 THE WORLD AS IM AG IN ATION

pre sen t to o ther fin ite sen tie n ts a n d d oe s n ot there , ,

fore fa ll wi thin the subcon sciou s a t a ll

,
1
.

Co n sider the d o m a in s of Na ture symboli sed a s

”
in term s o f
” ”
a t omic , m olecul a r m ol a r , ,

and R e pu di a ti on o f ”
extens i on re si st a n c e .

the Un c on sci ou s h olds g ood a ll the Nu clea r s o f -

Na ture a re s en tien t lives But it lea ves the proble m .

Of other a r ea s of s e n tie n cy a cute Is a give n b ody .

a complex of Nu cle a r s a n d s o mewh a t higher min or

s e n tie n t s or i s it a l s o the s e a t Of a s uperi or o ver

, , ,

rulin g se n tien t Or sen tien t s O rga n i sm s ordin a rily ,

s o c a lled pre s e n t gre a t difficultie s

-
,
I a m a superi or .

s e n tie n t with a f ooti n g in the c o mplex c a lled my

b ody Thi s much i s cle a r But m a n y gra de s Of

. .

in feri o r s en tien t s ma y h a ve s e a t s there a s well .

Beh a vi our O ffer s u s the o n ly clue a n d a cc ordi n g , ,

t o wh a t y ou thin k of thi s beh a viour in a give n c a s e ,

u will decide the issue I n dic a ti on s o f beh a vi our

y o .

in duce me t o credit men sn a ke s w orm s with , , ,

s e n tie n t life ; fa ilin g such s ign ific a n t a cti on s my ,

effective i n fere n ce s va n i sh Th e i n qu irer then .

, ,

mu st decide for him self wha t bodi es a n d wha t a rea s

of bodi es a r e the s e a t s of c on trollin g s en tien t s .

M an y ide a li st s h a ve been c on vin ced by the te st

o f beh a vi o ur in the c a se Of the a t om We .

ma y n ot be i n the h a bit wr ite s D r S chiller of

”
, ,

c a ll in g the f orm a ti on o f a t om s a n evoluti on of

S piritu a l bein g s but the proce ss which de vel oped
,

the m a teri a l w orld a n d devel oped spiritu a l bein g s

i s on e a n d the s a m e It i s a que sti on on ly o f
”
.

1
An d, r
o f cou se , n o c on te n ts, ho w r
ev e sha ed r by fini te sen t i

e n ts , ca n f all outsi de th e C I
. .
 S ENTIENT S OF THE A BY SS
i terpretin g the symb oli sm of scien ce a right
re - n .

At pre s en t th is symb o li sm en de a vo urin g t o m a in ,

ta in itself a ga in st the vie w o f the a t om a s a S piritu a l

bein g or p sychic a l re a lity cre a k s b a dl y Y ou It att ,
. s
,
ra e

h a ve a n illu stra ti on in t h e trea tmen t of a t tr a c t o

ti on . Attr a cti on as we sa w pre sen ts n o ,

”
,

difficulty if we rega rd it a s a p sychic a lly c on troll e d

,
“
pr oce ss ; a s a c a s e of furthera n ce Of sen tien t
life on ou r lin es But if you re sen t thi s in t erpr e .
,

t a t i on you m a y h a ve t o put up with ign ora n ce eked

,

ou t with verbia ge Y ou h a ve for in sta n ce t o .

, ,

l o ok a t t h e ch e mic a l u n i on of H a n d O a n d c a ll
it tra cta ti on lea vin g the phen omen on la belled
,
”

i n deed but other w , i se ign ored 1

An d exte n di n g .

thi s pr ocedure in t o further fields yo u a re emb a r ,

r a ss e d s imil a rly C on s ider sa y fertili sa ti on in t h e

.
, ,

c a se o f the i n fu sori a n c olon ie s of Volvox We h a ve .

the c a se s Of on e c ol on y which pro duce s on ly o v a

a n d o f a n o ther which s et s free o n ly s perm a t o z o a .

“
The s e l a tter n ea rin g ripe o v a a re a ttra cted
, at a
“
At t ti ,
ra c on s

“ g i O
‘
01 an c
s h ort di s t a n ce a n d c on jug a ti on e n sue s Attra cted b di .
o es e x
l i d
h ow c h e mi o t a x 1s
cc
2 By i s the re a dy reply p 73 a ne as
0

h mi
. ..
, c e o_

sub stitutin g t h e dicti on a ry for e xpl a n a ti on which f

’
t i ax s

might in v olve a p sychic a l fa ct or Chemiot a xi s .

,

I n ote i s defin ed by Pr ofe ssor J G M Ken drick

, . .
‘

the phy s i ol o gi st a s a pr operty of a ttra cti on

,
”
dr a wi n g etc an , eva s i on which repe a t s in a n
.
,

1
Ju st p i bl f gr i t ti
a s no ex pl a n a ti on is oss e o av a o n , n on e c a n

be a d d f th
v a n ce f p hy i l
o d h mi l t r t ti
ese ca ses o s ca an c e ca ac a on

! t t r ti
a ac f t mm l
on o l t f rm w t r
s ea d i fH d o ecu e s o o a e an u n on O an

l w
u n e ss ri b ffi i ty d i mp ti bili ty t m l
e a sc e a n an
‘
n co a o o e

l d t m if t h y w r h m —F S ddy ”
cu es a n a o s as e e e u an . o

gy p 12 9 Th r i pp th m
.
,

M d E
a tter a n ner ll t , . . e e s n o ca o su ose e

h m u w
an d ly r g rd th m
e n eet f p y hi l on e a e a s sea s o s c ca

pr o cesses f rt i ki d f b l w y l l whi h
o ce a n b n s ar e o an ev e c ca n e

c a lled a n i ma l .
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
ob s cure verb a l f orm the very phen omen on t o be
expla in ed a n d rec a lls verbia ge of the scho olmen
,
.

On the other h a n d the p sychic a l fa ct or i s f orced

,

o n the a tten ti on o f Rib o t when he dis cu sse s pre

c on sci o u s s en sib ili ty or a s we ought t o c a ll it
,
”
, ,

the s en s ib i lity which precede s tha t o f c on sci ou s

s e n tien t s s u ch a s a r e r ecogn i s ed by ordi na r y psycho logy .

We kn ow th a t the orga n is m h a s i t s memory ; it

pre serve s cert a in impre ssi on s cert a in n orm a l or ,

m orbid m o dific a ti on s it i s c a p a ble of a da pt a ti on

thi s p oin t h a s been well e sta blis hed by Herin g ( wh o
h a d bee n preceded by L a yc o ck a n d Je ssen ) It is .

the o utli n e o f the superi or f orm of p sychic c on sci ous

mem ory In the sa me wa y there exi st s a n in feri or
.

u n c on sci ou s fo rm orga n ic s en s ib ility— which i s t h e

—
prep a ra ti on a n d o utlin e of s uperi or c on sci ou s e mo
t i on a l life V ita l sen s ibili ty i s t o c on sci ous feeli n g
.

wha t org a n ic m e m ory i s t o mem ory in t h e ordin a ry

Th e s en s ibility i s n ot
”
s e n s e Of the w o rd pre
1
.

c on sci ou s or it w ould n ot be sen sibili t y a t a ll

,

thi s is a surviva l Of phil o sophie s Of the Un c on s ci ou s .

It implie s s en tien t a gen t s O nl y on ce m ore we .

h a ve t o n ote a s in a ll the se c a s es the extreme diffi

, ,

culty Of in ferrin g wh a t the se a gen t s a r e a n d wh a t

a r e their a r eas .

If t ms
a o a r e symb ol s for s en tien t a gen t s
( n ot merely for collecti on s of a ge n t s movin g with

extreme vel o city rela tively t o on e a n other in c on

crete sp a ce ) we s h a ll rec og n i se them a lso a s members
,

of liv in g s pecie s Th e eighty or s o

. elemen t s
Of the Peri o dic Ta ble a r e the pr ot o z oa a n d pr oto
“
p yh t a o f the phy s ic a l w o rld with c o mpou n d s , ,
”

1
P sychology f
o the Emoti on s, Engli sh t ra n sla t i on , pp . 3 -4 .
 THE W ORLD AS IM AG IN ATION
s oci a l rel a ti on o utright If we do let u s n ot ,

Object if a superhum a n phil osopher of S iriu s tre a ts

,

us hum a n s a lso a s a t om s of u n if orm ch a r

a cter wh o c on tribute un c on sciou sly t o the
rigid c a u sa l s equen ce s of which he believe s o ur
pl a n et t o be the s ea t ! Thi s deci s i on de ha u t en ba s
w o uld be a s u n ju stifia ble a s the other .

ON S EN T IEN T S AB O VE T HE H U M AN L E V EL
2 . S
tien t a gen t s a n d ki n ds Of a gen ts in feri or
en ,

t o ma n a n d in dwell i n g i n a ll p ortion s o f N a ture

, ,

mu st be i n defi n itely n umer ou s a n d grea t surpri s e s ,

a w a it the i n quirer wh o h a s o n ce go t rid o f mech a n

i s t i c thi n kin g A return t o Pa ga ni sm i n a n

.

e n lighte n ed form s eem s i n evita ble o n ce m o re

clouds a ir sea fire dry l a n d a n d t h e u n di sc ove red
, , , , ,

c ou n trie s a s yet ve iled fr om m ost m ort a l eyes will

,
”
,

be f oun d pe opled with thes e bein g s n on e the le s s re a l ,

bec a u s e so me Of their ha bi ts h a ve been rec orded in

the u seful sh orth a n d which men re s pect a s l a ws
or u n iformities Of Na ture O n ce m ore N a ture .
,

p sychic a l thr ough out will be kn own a s c on si stin g

,

n ot o f mere c o n ten t s like the c on te n t s Of o u r e x p e r i

,

e n ce ; but a l so Of c on sciou s p o wer s wh o se a ctivity ,

i s the urge a n d dr ive Of ch a n ge An e n ch a n ti n g .

n o vel in tere s t will be a dded t o o u r w ork a d a y live s

the ugly dr a b m a teri a li s m o f the curre n t creed s of

,

Chri ste n do m will va ni s h a n d ultim a tely p o etry

a n d scie n ce e a ch e n n obled a n d a mplifi ed will meet

, ,
.

”
We sh a ll ce a se t o spe a k of the m a teri a l w orld ,

a n d le a ve f a n cie s o f th a t cl a ss to the m a them a tic a l

physici sts a n d drya sdu st s wh o seek for their speci a l ,

purpo se s t o bleed Na ture white

, .
 S UP ER HU M AN S ENTIENTS

It will be n ece ssa ry a l so t h ow fra n kly for the O

, ,
r
n sup e

re a lity of sen tien t s superi or t o ourselve s ; a p oin t

n ot o ve rl oo ked by thin k e r s like Fechn er a n d Will i a m

Ja me s Ja me s in deed hit up on on e of t h e blemi sh e s

.
, ,

o f Eur ope a n phil o so phy whe n he t OO k n ote of t h e

s tr a n ge di sin clin a ti on of so m a n y emin e n t writer s

t o a dmit th a t hum a n ity i s n ot the l a st w ord a n d ,

urged th a t he a ven a n d e a rth m a y well c on ta in super

hum a n s n ot drea mt of in va ri ou s impre ss ive hi storic a l
world view s
-
Bra dl ey h owever i s n ot op en t o
.
, ,

thi s critici sm s i n ce in A p p eara n ce a n d Rea li ty

,

he tell s u s th a t e very fra gmen t of vi s ible N a ture

might s o fa r a s i s kn own s erve a s p a rt i n so m e
, ,

o rg a n i s m u n lik e o u r b o di e s a n d th a t we c a n se t
,

n o b o u n d s t o t h e exi s t e n ce o r p ower s o f s e n ti e n t

b e in g s Thu s a Vi st a o f immen s e th e o retic a l a n d

”
.

eve n it ma y be o f p ra cti ca l imp ort a n ce t o o u r

, ,

s ucce sso r s i s o pe n ed up Th e di s c a rded Pa g a n i s m

.

i s a g a in pre ss i n g on o ur th ought a n d wh o i s t o s a y ,

t o wh a t thi s rec og n iti on ma y le a d ? Fi n ite g o d s

and s uperhum a n s i n su fficien tly wi se m ora l o r
, , ,

p owerful t o merit thi s title might a s I h a ve urged , ,

el sewhere be in ferred c orrectly fro m such m a rk s

,

o f purp o s ive ord e r i n g a s s e lected p o rti on s o f r e a lity

pre sen t Fin ite g od s w ould be for u s ej ect s o f

.
, ,

a s uperi o r kin d I might believe i n such superi or

.

ejects ju st a s I n ow believe in ordin a ry hum a n

,
’

a n d a n im a l
’
e ject s Cert a in c osmic h a ppen in g s
.

might sugge st the se j u st a s the m ovemen t s etc

, , .
,

o f a n im a l b odie s sugge s t th os e
y o u m a y c o me
t o i n fer the re a lity of fi n ite g o d s fro m the evide n ce
Of m a rk s e g fro m t h e in ten tion a l a rr a n ge
, . .

me n t s a n d direction s Of a ctivity which Na ture ! a n d

e ve n Hi st ory
! ma y di spla y I a gre e h owe ver th a t .
, ,

the se m a rks ma y n ot lea p t o the eye Th e world .

ma y be guided in way s exceedin gly h a rd to detect .

Thu s the purp osive m odi fic a ti on of a germ cell -

might h a ve en orm ou sly imp ort a n t re sul ts but who ,

of u s c onf r on ted with th os e re sult s c oul d sa y

, ,

Lo ! here i s the w ork of a go d

”
1
We mu st go .

very wa rily or we s h a ll be bogged in prep osterou s

s uper stiti o n s in our turn But the p o in t i s th a t we
.

mu st cultiva te the o pen m in d a n d be re a dy t o

detect if p ossible s uch e viden ce a s the w a ve s of
, ,

ti me c a st on t o our in tellectu a l sh ore Un less we .

a r e on the a lert t o perceive it we s h a ll n ever , ,

perh a p s succeed in perceivin g it a t a ll

, .

S o me the se powers ma y be a b ove the li fe o f

of

i ns u la ted per son a lity ; of the s ep a r a te I which

c on tra sts i t s p a rticula r stre a m o f experie n ce with
o ther p a rticu la r s tre a m s i n which it believe s but ,

which it d oe s n ot in clude S ir Edwin Arn old in .

D ea th a n d Afterwa rds b a de u s c on ceive c oa le sced

e xis te n ce s a s s uperi or t o p er son s a s the tree i s t o ‘

t h e c ells Of which it i s c o mp os ed ; the exclus i v e

,

hum a n c on s cio u s l ife bei n g a m a rk a s it is of we a k , ,

n e ss a n d defect This t oo i s a very import a n t

.
, ,

co n sidera ti on which ma y n ot be Overlo oked The .

higher c on sci o u s power s Of o ur World S ystem I — -

do n ot sa y of m in o r w o rld s such a s the sol a r sy s tem

a n d i t s un s ee n c o mpleme n t a ry level s— a r e perh a p s , ,

n ot s ep a r a te per s on s but e n j o y a bein g which c om

,

pris e s a sso ci a ted a gen t s Ju st a s in my exp er i.

e n c e I gr a s p very m a n y c on t e n t s s o a p o wer of thi s ,

s ort ma y gr a s p a n d i n clude very m a n y c on s ci o u s

cen tre s a l on g with i t s c on ten t s It w ould h a rdly .

be p ossible t o re a ch a n y ex a lted st a ge of c on sciou s

lif e unl e ss the o n e side dn e ss o f the i n s ul a t e d a gen t
,

1
Indi vidua l a nd Rea li ty, pp . 40 5 -6 .
 THE W OR L D AS IM A GINATION
n ot di scu ssi n g a pl r lity u a s s of
e a ch World S y tem
-
,

o n e o f which in deed ma y h a ve a fini te Go d of it s

, ,

o wn . We a r e thin kin g of tha t S ystem the visible ,

p orti on o f which da zzle s the a str on omer with thou

s a n d s Of m ill i on s o f s t a r s a S y stem in which o u r
,

petty pla n et s eem s a lm o st l ost Ha s thi s Wo rld .

System a n o verrul in g c on scious p ower n ot in a ptly ,

de scribed by the n a me of Fa ther in hea ven 2

There i i ter represen ta ti on s of God even

a re s n s

a m on g t h e gre a ter p o pul a r religi on s Of Hi st ory .

Ma n t oo n e a r in o rigin to the be a st h a s cre a ted

, ,

o vermuch i n h i s o wn im a ge We mu st work a l oo f
.

fro m the hide ou s in ven ti on s Of the p a st L et us .

c on s ider the i ssue ju st a s do e s the D ei st with out

r e feren ce t o a n y competin g fa ith s Is there then .
, ,

a n y evid e n ce o f the i n tellectu a l s ort which te n d s t o

f
va lida te the hyp othe si s o a fin ite Go d 2

There i s We fou n d l on g a go th a t the ultim a te

.

c on tin uity o f the u ni verse i s con sci ou sn e ss Con .

sc i ou sn e ss i s the c o n tin uum s ide Of the c on te n t s o f

-

the C I An d whereve r there Obt a in s c on ti n uity

. .
, ,

we a r e t o inf er a t some level or o ther a gra spin g

, ,

con s ci o u sn e ss o r c on sc i o u si n g a s it w o uld be m o re
,

a ccur a te t o s a y .

N o w in dis cu ssin g the begin n in g s of our World

System we urged th a t a n origi n a l h a rm on y wa s
,
“
broken a n d the l o osen e ss o f a c o n flict Of m ul tiple
a ge n t s beg a n But de spite thi s l o o s en e ss we ”
.
,

h a d t o rec og n i s e th a t the c on tin uity o f the Wo rld

System wa s n ever comp letely bro ken ; ha d it been
broke n the multiple a gen t s wo uld n o l on ger ha ve
,

been in touch a t a ll Na ture is n ot merely a n in ter

.
a ctin g Ma n y it i s still th a t in whi ch the Ma n y a r e
s om e h o w t ogether An d this c on tin uity of the .

Ma n y persists a n d i s foun d t o domin a te more a n d

m ore n otic ea bly their di sc ord s In the he a rt of strife .

itself th e re a ri se s a m ovemen t of return t o ha rm o n y .

Thi s the evolvin g World S ystem G d d th

con ti n u i ty in -
o an e
f
ggttgifi
t
a n n o u n ce s t o u s the con s ci o us n ess o f a n a sce n t G o d fi fi
‘ ‘ f

W h ose b ody s o t o spe a k i s Na ture

, Th e growin g S y t m
, .
s e

h a rm on y a mid the in iti l ch o

a a s i s thi Power a t
s —
first a n in fa n t Hercule s— e volvin g S lo wly in t o full
glory : t h e Wo rld S yste m it self limited by i t s origin a l
-
,

c on diti on s ri sin g in t o a divin e lif e All c on te n t

,
.

h a s i t s c on sci ou s s ide i s pre sen t t o fi n ite se n tie n cy

Of som e sort Th e c on ten t s o f Na ture a n d e ven t h e
.
,

fin ite se n ti en t s a wa r in g th e m a re presen t a t a n y , ,

r a te i n p a rt t o the n a scen t God

,
1
.

Jo hn S tu
rt Mill l ook in g p a tien tly on the ow
a ,

de n c e s Of de sig n i n the w orld in ferred a G o d of ,

gre a t but limited p ower h o w or by wh a t limited ,

we c a n n ot e ven c on j e cture ; o f gre a t a n d perh a p s

u n limited i n tellige n c e but p e rh a p s a l so m ore , , ,

limite d tha n h i s p ower Thi s i s the verdict o f

the Essa y o n Thei sm We on our p a rt c a n .
, ,

st a t e the limit a ti on s o f thi s G o d br o a dly a s f oll o w s .

1
In p rt
a . Only a ve ry s ma ll p rt i o o n of th e c on ten ts o f my
b ody i n v a de my c on s ci ou s li e Eg k w
no r f
n oth i n g di ec tl
y . . . I
as w
to r r r p
h a t i s goi n g o n i n my ight v en t i cle, li v e c ells, s i n al
cor d, e tc , a t t hi s momen t r N r b
An d if we re ga d a tu e a s th e ody
.

f G d th r i pp th t ll th t t pr t
.

o o e ell t s n o ca o su os e a a e con en s ese n

th r i
,

d G d lif If w pp G d t b w r
’
e e nv a e i o s c on sc ou s e. e su ose o o e a a e

of lla ti t li f i th
sen en y t m w e h nll h t
e s ll w th t m h
s e , e s a av e o a o a uc

th t i
a b mi bl y i f r l p ll t Hi p ri
s a o na e, na n e na Hi , o u es s ex e en ce . s

p i l
a rt cu a r
p i f i w d
o nt o t r q i rv eH i m t k w
oes n o r yt hi g e u e o no ev e n

an y m r t h
o e w d t
an k w ll b t
e n ee b l
o t r no a a ou su -e ec o n s.
”
 THE WORLD AS M AGIN ATION

Th e ini tia l World Ide a h a rm oni ou s I MAG IN AL

-
, or ,

wa s con ten t in a n d for the C I but n ot for i ts elf . .

, ,

i e it wa s n ot c on sciou s Of itself a s such

. . But it .

i s t o bec ome c on sci ou s of it self Th e fini te G od .

a ri s es s ub s eque n tly t o the quicken in g a lrea dy

described He emerge s a fter Na ture h a s st a rted
.

on i t s c a reer j u st a s yo u a n d I a rise ( so fa r a s o ur
,

pre sen t lives a r e c on cern ed ) a fter o ur b odies h a ve

been deve l op in g for a co n s idera ble time He is a n .

in fa n t Hercule s but h a s to gr ow i n wi sdom m or a lity

, , ,

a n d p o wer ; is li m ited by the c on di ti on s of Hi s

b o dy a n d by the ch a r a cter of the sub ordin a te
,
”

s e n tien t s o f which it i s the se a t Hi s worlds a n d .

Him self a r e but ripples on the o cea n of the true

in fini te the C I which rem a in s the supreme in tere s t
. .

o f the philo s opher a s c on tr a sted with th os e wh o a sk

n o m ore th a n certitude reg a rdin g the exi ste n ce of

G od .

G eorge Du M
urier in h i s a dmira ble n ovel P eter
a

Ibbetson h a s written i n thi s wa y o f G o d a s in

the di rect lin e of a lo n g de scen t fro m u s a n ever ,

gr o win g c on sciou s Po wer so stro n g , so gla d so , ,

s imple so wi se so mil d s o ben eficen t tha t wh a t

, , , ,

c a n we do eve n n o w but f a ll on o u r k n ee s with o u r

f orehea ds in the du st a n d our hea rt s brimful Of ,

w on der h ope a n d l ove a n d ten der S hiverin g a we

, , ,

a n d wor s hip of a yet u n bor n ba r ely con cei ved a nd ,

sc a r ce bge otten Chi ld— tha t which we ha ve been

a lw y
a s t a ught to wor s hip a s a F a ther —t ha t whi ch
—
i s n ot n ow but i s to be th a t which we s h a ll a ll
,

S h a re i n a n d be p a rt o f i n the di m future — th a t
which i s sl o wly surely pa inq y wea vin g itself o ut
, ,

o f u s a n d the like s o f u s a n d who s e c o mi n g

we c a n but fa in tly foretell by the c a stin g Of its

 CHAP TER VII
T HE E V OLU TION OF N ATURE ( con ti n ued from Ch a p . V) .

1 . THE
ttr cti a nd a ttr a cti on c o m
a a on s -

plexe s which pre sen t so hop ele ss a rid dl e t o sym

,
”

bologi st s Of mech a ni stic ben t a re rem a rka ble in de e d , .

But repul si on s ( or
p ella t i o n s as s ome c a ll
them ) a r e e qu a lly surpri sin g a s a gl a n ce a t electron ,

litera ture reve a l s 1

A the ori st for in st a n ce wh o .
, ,

a ttempt s t o c on den se n eg a tive electro n s i n t o

in orga n ic Na ture mu st be sa n gu in e .

Primitive repulsion s express the co n serva tive

p sychic a l a ctivity of the Nu clea r s a n d Nuclea r
c omplexe s in m ovemen t s such a s c on duce t o the
le a st thwa rtin g of the implied s en tien t live s They .

a r e e s c a pe s fr o m s uch pe n etr a ti on s a s bri n g s heer

1 Note r rdi ry r i t
th e e xt a o
t d ti
na es s a n c e o con en sa on or

c on cen t r ti whi h f a on g t i l
c t r reep i t i ne a ve e ec on s os ve

l tr
e ec t ill t r t d by
on s a re i
s q it hyp th ti l
ea e s c en c e as u e o e ca

w ld pr t T k m y l tr ( 7 10 ) th r
ou esen . a e as an e ec on s x 23
as e e a re

i
n a gr m f h y dar g o If t w h q t
o en i t i .f l t r i i t y o su c ua n es O e ec c

w r pl d
e e t t h N rt h
a ce , d th
on e a th r t t h S
e th P l
o an e o e a e ou o e

o f th rth th y w ld t d t p ll t
e ea , e tr ou gly t h t en o e a e so s on a , ev en

a t t hi di t s f irly thi k t l bl p bl f pp rti g

s a n ce , a a c s ee ca e , ca a e o su o n

a w ight f 3 5 t w l d b
e o ry t k p th m fr m
o n s, ou e n e cess a o ee e o

m i g p rt
ov n Si a th a p ll ti d r
. n ce th e q r e a on e c ea s e s as e s ua e

o f t h di t e if t w h q
s a n ce , t i ti p l d r t g th r
o su c ua n es a re a ce n ea o e e ,

no m t ri l b d w ld h ld th m ( S ddy M tt
a e a on ou dE
o gy e o , a er a n ner ,

p .
 REP U L S ION S
c on fli ct —the voida n c e by i n c omp a tible s Of exist
a

e n ce even a lon g s ide o f on e a n othe r i e c on tigu ou sly , . .

,

in c on crete sp a ce This s p a ce won dr o u s in ven ti on

.
,

tha t it i s pe rmits a gen ts t o coe xi st bu t a t di fferen t

, ,

p o in ts a n d it ren de rs the ir co n ti gu i ty a n d r emote

,

n es s n ot in the le a s t meta ph o ric a l but gen uin ely ,

rea l Th e a gen t s a r e truly pla c e d thu s a n d thu s

.

in the Na ture which C os mic Im a gin i n g c on structs .

Primitive n a tura l a gen t s a lte r the ir di sta n ce s less

a ctively a s the di s t a n ce s in cre a s e ( e g t he p ell a . .

ti on s of t h e a gen t s s ymboli sed a s e lectron s de

cre a se a s we a re told a s the s qua re of the dista n ce )
, ,

th a t i s t o sa y the y a r e le ss di s turbed by o n e a n other s

,
’

S phere s o f in flue n ce a s they f a ll a p a rt a n d the le ss ,

they a r e di sturb e d the le ss a re c on serva tive re sp on ses

forced fro m them Actu a lly of c ourse they a r e Th
.
, ,
e posi ti on

pen etra te d by s uch va ried c on ten t a s well furtherin g ,

a s thwa rtin g th a t the i r p os iti on s a r e a lw a y s a c o m

,

promis e L ike o urs elve s on o ur higher level they

.
, ,

a r e te n din g t o m o ve i n differe n t directi on s a t o n ce ,

s e ek in g m a in ta in in g a v o i di n g th ough n ot with
, , ,

tha t di stin ct mem ory a n d a n ticip a tio n which we

huma n s a s so cia te with a se lf Th e ir a cti on s .

c a n be di scu s s ed a s if they w e re m e ch a n ic a l bec a u se ,

th e y h a ve t h e c on st a n cy Of h a bit s a n d len d them

se lve s a cc ordi n gly t o c a lcula ti on s a n d predicti on s
, ,

th e ir gre a t n umb e rs ob scur in g the va ri a ti on s which

ma y o ccur in in dividu a l s But this mech a n i stic .

c a t e go ry th ough u seful i s un true It s mea n in g i s

, , .

th a t the a gen t s b e ha vi o ur is imp osed on it by a

’

p ower ou ts i de i tself Thi s beh a vi our wh ile re sp on d

.
,

i n g t o in curs ion s fr o m b e yon d t h e a ge n t e xpre ss e s , ,

a lso the a g e n t s o wn con s er v a ti v e a ct

’
.
,

2 . Thi s o b st in a te c ons erva tion , which is ex

 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
pressed in repul si on s is expre ssed a ls o in the , , ,

a ttr a cti on s ; b oth a li ke eviden c in g the c ompre

s e n ce Of n a tur a l a gen t s in a c omm on gr o u n d fr o m ,

“ ”
which ,
l o o se a s th e y a r e
,
they n ever e sc a pe ,
.

On e of the m ost str ikin g f orm s of their mutu a l

Gr a v i ty . a ttra cti on is of ,
—
c ours e Gra vity a la w in di ,

c a tin g h a bits which a r e surpris in gly gen e r a l We .

c a nn ot h Op e t o surm ise wh a t the a ctu a l experien cin g

of the a ttr a cted a ge n t s i s like livin g a s we d o with ,

perception s th a t veil such pen etra li a o f Na ture .

We mu st be c on ten t t o sa y th a t proce sse s o f p sychic a l

furthera n ce a re i n volved But di srega r di n g t h e .

deta il o f Gra vity a n d tre a tin g it gen era ll y a s a n

import a n t fe a ture Of the World S ystem we c a n -
,

ch a ra cteris e it much a s di d Heg e l Na ture we a rin g .

t h e f orm o f o u t Oi i t selfn e ss or s elf exter

- -
,
-

n a lit y
”
, Gra vity i s a n i n iti a l o verridin g of thi s form ,

a s tep t o wa rd s elf i n tern a lity t o the bein g ”

-
,

within s elf Of Na ture ; evide n ce of t h e truth a s ,

we might sa y th a t Na ture i s n ot onl y ma n y but

, ,

a l so con ti n uou s ; a multiplicity in uni ty a s the

a cti on s o f it s exi sten t s h owever rem ote fr om on e ,

a nother in s p a ce a tte st
1
Th is c on t inuity i s equ a lly
, .

”
C oh esi on . in dic a ted by C o he si on a m o de of a ttra ction ,

i rreducible t o the gr a vity f orm ul a a n d va ni shin g -

, ,

in deed a t a very s m a ll di s ta n ce of on e c o mplex

,

from a n other In the kin ds of a ttra cti on o rdi

.

n a r ily c a lled chemic a l a n d in th o s e o f s oluti on s ,

frequen tly so c a ll ed the return t o in tegra ti on or a

2
-
,

1
Hen ce Hegel s ’
sa yi n g , Th e r
cen t e of g r a v i t y Of a b ody is
th e o n en ess whi ch it se e k s .

2
S oluti on -co b
m in a ti on s di f e f r fr m o che mi c a l i n t h a t th e p ro
p rti
o on s of t h e c o m i n i n b
g a gen t s can v a r
y b t w e een wid e li mi ts ,
whil the r
e a lte a ti on o f t h i r pr p rt i
e o e es is sli gh t . A d
n s olu ti on

i
s u su a lly a t t d d by
en e c oolin g. S olution is n ecessa rily of gr ea t

i mp r t
o a nce t b i l gy
o o o .
 THE W OR L D AS IM A GINATION
un like p a rtn ers sugge sts mutu a l furthera n ce by c om
p le m e n t a r y pe n etra tin g c on te n t s .

—
Th e crea tive re s p on s e oi the cha ra cter o f im a gin a l
n o velty— in the chemic a l rela tion m a y be ha bitu a l ,

a n d he n ce s upp o rt a g e n e ra lis a ti on o r la w But ”

.

in the c a se of the firs t re s p on s e of the kin d we h a ve

“
S heer la wle ss in itia tive e g if pr o fitin g by . .
,

the in ten s e tempera ture Of the ele ctric fur n a ce I ,

s ucceed in o bt a i ni n g a c a rbide n ot hithert o pre se n t,

in the Wo rld S yst e m I h a v e pr o vided the c oll o c a

-
,

ti on Of c a rb on met a l etc requi s ite for a gen uin e

, , .
,

cre a tive str ok e with out f oreru n n er Th e decen cie s

, .

o f l a n gu a ge o ught t o f o rbid u s t o s pe a k o f s uch a

n o velty a s res u lti n g fr o m pri o r

“
la ws Of Na ture .

It i s e ssen tia lly a n e w thin g wh a t e ve r o ther fe a ture s

,

of the a n tecede n t World S y stem ma y be co n s erved

-

a l on g with it .

Wh a t ough t 3 Wh a t ought we t o me a n by the w ord m a ter i

we t o mea n
by th e a lity a s a pplied t o t h e phys ic a l o rd e r When my
ma t er i a l i ty
of t h e ph y si ca l fist strike s a p ost I experien ce r es i sted mu scul a r
o r de r
effort a n d sa y tha t the p ost r es i s ts bein g m oved
,
.

Al so if the p os t i s m o vin g in the directi on Of my

,

he a d I fin d th a t it r es i s ts be in g sto pped a n d a lte rs

, ,

very un ple a sa n tly the p o s iti on of my h ea d So me

,
.

time s this r es i sta n ce or in erti a i s a dded t o sp a ce

o ccup a n c y or e xten s i o n a n d r e g a rde d a s the s tuff

o f which the m a teria l w orld c on s i st s Thi s sub .

st i t u t e fo r s e n s ible Na ture i s u s ed by the mech a n ist s

a n d h a s n o v a lue fo r o ur s elve s Th a t which r es i sts

.

it s pla ce bein g o ccupied or pl a ce b e i n g den ied it i s

n o t a n a b stra ct qu a lity R E S IS TAN C E but a p sychi ca l
, ,

comp lex which h a ppe n s u n der cer ta i n condi ti ons

,
to ,

be a ctive in th is wa y but which u n der others n eed

, , ,
 MATERIALITY OF THE PHYS ICAL ORD ER 5 19

n ot r es i st a t a ll . It res i sts in s h ort onl y o pp osed

, ,

c o mple xe s , a n d at o ther time s i s a n d is d o in g so me

thi n g e l se .

But if we c a nn o t in terpret ma teria lity thus ,

wh a t a r e we t o me a n by it Th e a n swer s eem s t o
r un a s f oll o w s Th e l o wer p s ychi ca l exi s ten ts of
. t

Na ture ma sked by the physica l order a r e ( 1) the

, ,

sea ts of in tern e cin e c on flict s a n d re s is t on e

a n oth e r fre e ly in thi s rich e r s en s e o f the t e rm
, ,

be in g c on tin u a lly in va de d by a n d re sp on din g t o , ,

c on ten t s fro m sourc e s extra n eo us to thems elves .

( T hi s i s th a t fe a ture o f t h e se lf ext e rn a lity o f -

Na ture so Often discu ssed ) ( 2 ) As rela ted t o us .

the se p sychic a l a gen t s a r e t o a gr e a t exte n t obs tr uc

, ,

ti v e a n d u n p la s ti c in flue n c e s Th e y s eem t o Opp o s e

.

u s s tupi dl y ( th o ugh v e ry a ctive i n the i r o wn wa y s ) ,

bec a u se their h a bit s a re sta bl e a n d r u n c ou n ter ,

in gre a t me a sure t o o u r wishe s a n d purp os e s

,
.

They a r e Ob structive a s wh e n they refu s e to

a ll o w my purp o s e o f tr a in in g my b o dy i n t o p e rfect

s ubj ecti on t o my a rti stic or o ther n eeds t o be

re a li se d ; u n pla stic a s when the s en s ible l an d
s c a pe bef o re m e re fu se s t o a lter a t my mere c o m

m a n d a n d require s me t o move thi n gs t o a cc omplish

s ome very humble re s ult Thwa rted in thi s wa y I
.

reve n ge myself by den ou n cin g the m a teri a lity of

the phys ic a l orde r .

Mi ul of such kin ds o f re sista n ce we c a n ch a rge

n df ,

the phys ic a l orde r with sh o win g ma teri a lity

n o o utw o rn mech a n i stic a s sumpti on s bein g in v o lved .

Ar e there other level s o f re a lity — experien ced by

o ther s e n tie n t s in o ther Wo rld S ys tem s or t o be -
,

experien ced perha p s by o urselve s in th is o n e a fter

, ,
 THE W OR L D AS IM AG IN ATION
the b ody s ’
dea th —
which a r e fre e fr o m such m a teri
a lity t This que sti on mu s t be a n swer e d by th o se
”

wh o c a n a dduce— experie n ce But we c a n a ver .

th a t such m ore h a rm on i ou s level s m a y well o bt a in

in a n i ma gi n a l World S ystem t h e p o rti on o f which
-
,

empir ic a lly kn o wn by u s i s perh a p s a fra gm e n t , ,

o n ly o f i t s t o t a l exte n t We sh a ll ha ve m ore t o
.

sa
y a b o ut th is vi s t a o f pl a s tic s urr o u n d s i n a n o ther
volume S uffice it n o w t o be a r in min d the se e sse n
.

ti a l poin t s : ( 1) Th a t the kin d of order n o w fa mili a r

to u s i s n ot n ece ssa r ily the type o f a ll f orm s of
—
w orld order In the h ou se of Im a gin a ti on a r e
.

m a n y m a n si on s so me of which mu st be u n spe a k
,

a bly s uperi or t o thi s ( )

2 T h a t m .os t s e n ti e n t s o f ,

merely hum a n gra de s a r e h a rdl y fit for a n ythin g,

better th a n wh a t they c on fron t here a n d n o w .

Th e imm a n en t purpo se builds n ot wholly a mi ss .

4 . O ur
purpo se in thi s volume i s t o sugge st a
fr a m e fo r the c a n v a s up o n which a ll the det a il s o f
experie n ce c a n be s et We a r e n ot e n dea v ourin g .

t o s how h o w th a t c a n va s mu st be o ccupied by a n y
a n d every fa ct of which a n e n cycl o p aedic s cie n ce

might tre a t Tha t ta sk i s a lt og ether beyon d o u r

.

p o wer s Th ose wh o expect a c o mplete reth in kin g

.

o f phy s ic s ch e mistry bi ol ogy or wh a t n ot will

, , , ,

be s en t a wa y if n ot ex a ctly empty a t le a st u n
, ,

sa ti s fied An d if their dissa ti sfa cti on m o ve s th e m

.

t o p a in t the c a n v a s so much the better for a ll c on

,

cern ed They h a ve a mple r oom on t h e im a gin a l

.
,

hyp othe si s for their l a b our s we h a ve n ot den i e d

,

them a s h a ve m a n y idea li st s the re a lity of c osmic

, ,

S p a ce a n d Of the m o ti on s th a t therei n a r e But .

,

b e in g re a li sts a s well a s ide a li st s we des ire a c on ,

crete a ttitude t o wa rd the n a tura l order a n a ttitude ,

 THE WORLD AS IM AG IN ATION

hyp othe s is it self provide s a mple r oom for an

yt hing

th a t c o me s to h a n d .

5 . S imult e ou sly with the e v o luti on o f t he

an

phys ic a l order mu st go a n e voluti on o f the u n s ee n

c ompl e m en t a ry levels of thi s World System Kn ow -
.

i n g little a t fir st h a n d a b o ut the se level s a n d a

, ,
—
little kn o wledg e is proverbi a lly da n ger o us I h a ve —
t o ig n ore them It is prob a ble th a t few Of the
.

hi st oric a l mystic s wh o h a ve sought t o e nl ighten

s cie n c e i n thi s m a tter were i n better c a s e th a n we

a re ; a n d i n deed the liter a tur e en shrin in g the i r

, ,

e ffo rt s i s h a rdl y s uch a s t o in s pire perfect tru s t .

Mystic s h a ve brought surpris in gly p oor solution s

t o g e n era l m e ta phy s ic s m a n y whose supp osed per ,

c e t i o n s h a ve bee n re pected h o wi n g n o c o rre

p s s ,

sp on din g emin e n c e in the d o m a in Of th ought ; a

fa ct which detra cts of c our se fro m the w orth Of

, ,

t h e a lleg e d percepti on s th e m selve s Th e perfect .

im a gin a l in tuiti on i s a t on ce perc e pti on a n d th ought

a n d eve n em o ti on An d t h e th ought m it c o uld
.

s ur e ly be Offer e d t o u s a s a n in tell e ctu a l s y stem Of

phil osophy O fte n n o wa da y s t h e Ma gu s i s a j ou r n a l

.

i st wh o pe n s S ociety Notes a b out other world -

circles of supermen a n d sp ooks It i s e a sy t o pe n .

,

a n d a s e a sy t o i n ve n t the s e st o rie s but difficult to

, ,

ten der s oluti on s s uch a s th ought i n the f orm ,

o f met a phy s ic s mu st requir e Hen c e the Ma gus

, .
,

well inf ormed a b out the in terior Of N eptu n e or t h e

-

vice s of den izen s Of the a s tra l pl a n e h a s n ot thr own ,

light o n such tr ifl e s a s Ca u sa ti on or the pr oblem of

the I n fin ite .

But if we rightly reg a rd a lleged other w orld lore - -

with sus picion we do well t o be on the a lert for a ll

,
 S INTEGRATION
’
SP ENCER

gen uin e in sta lmen ts Of it O ur pra ctic a l in tere sts .

c o un sel this much Me a n while let u s n o t try to

.

wa lk in ga rde n s which a re cl ose d t o u s Cu lti von s .

n otr e j a r di n a n d a ll will be
,
a dded in its
s e a s on .

6 . We h a ve sp oken Of ttra cti on s a s te n a

de n c ie s to wa rd o verridi n g t h e pri mitive divis i on s

i n Na ture Th e re i s a m o ve me n t fr o m
. self e xter -

n a li t y self in t e rn a lity a s Heg e l c a lled it ”

to -
,
.

Here lies t h e well sprin g of H erbert S p en cer s fa m o u s S p

-
’
en cer s
’

m u a o s
mt egr a t l on a pr o ce s s wh 1c h In h l s s y stem
0

is “i t
0

g ati , , n e r on

discussed a s if it were a mech a n istic re sul t Of blin d { figggfit es fe '

en ergies Th e l o w e st s u b ch e mic a l a ttra ction

.
”
-

c o mplexe s hera ld the cr ea ti on of c o mplex e s Of such

c o mplexes ; a n d the se a ga in th a t o f o thers a n d , , ,

thu s the roa d t o physic a l che mic a l a n d o rga n ic , ,

e v o luti on i s l a id Spen cer dea lin g with the in te

.
,

gra tin g or c on cen tra tin g pr oce ss in his mecha n istic

symbolis m ob serve s ,

Al ike durin g the evo luti on of a s ola r system of ,

a pl a n e t of a n o rg a n i s m ther e i s pr o gre ss ive a ggr e

, ,

g a t i o n o f t h e e n t i r e m a ss T hi s m a y be s h
. o wn by
the in crea s i n g d en sity of the m a tte r a lre a dy c on
t a in e d in it or by the dr a win g in t o it Of m a tter
,

tha t wa s before se p a ra te o r by b o th ,
a t the

sa me time the p a rts in to which the m a ss h a d

divided severa lly c o n solida te in lik e ma nn er .

Al wa ys m ore or l e ss of l o c a l in tegr a tio n a e c o m

i
”

p a n e s the ge n er a l i n tegr a ti o n
1
.

Th e pr oce ss which is a tten ded by

,
di fferen
t i a t i on s mo re a n d m ore defin ite va ried a n d , ,

c omplex is n ot mecha ni c a l but o n e sta te a ble in

, ,

1
Fi rst P ri n ci p les , p . 32 7 .
 THE WORLD As I MAGINATION
term s of p sychic s Re re a din g h is a cc o un t i n
.
-

o u r o wn wa y we c a n a ccept ,
“
in tegra ti on Spen cer .
”

c on tra st s evoluti on with dis soluti on in which di s

i n tegra ti on o ccurs B oth bel on g t o th a t la rger
.

cre a tive pr ocess which ma y be c a lled ev olution a ry

in ou r pre s en t u se of the term D issolutions on the .

min o r s c a le l a rgely sub serve t h e pr oce ss itself Th e .

di ssoluti o n o f the p ota t o further s the ev o luti on o f

t h e pig .

S pe n cer supp oses th a t Na ture s redi stributi on ’

Of ma tter and m otion for ever in

go o n

cycle s of evoluti on a n d di ss oluti on But n o Na ture .

,

n o Wo rld S y s tem -
in deed which c ompri ses Na ture
, , ,

en dure s a s a pr ocess for ever There is n oth in g .

,

we sa w i n the c a u sa l dyn a mic which impli e s a

,

n ece ss ity fo r e n dl e ss ch a n g in g : there i s n o urge o r

drive tha t c ompel s c on ten t a ltera ti on on ce tha t a -

,

h a rm on y is a tt a in ed 1
A st a tic re sult i s t h e fi n a l
.

outcome of the origin a l Crea tive Appul se Th e .

c o mp os iti on o f the p oem of crea ti on is n ot pr olon ged

in defin itely t o n o profit it closes when the im a gin a l
a rti stry h a s triumphed when the perfecti on which , ,

i s it s e n d i s c on summ a ted
, .

For the re st the s t ory o f i n orga n ic ev oluti on

, ,

n o w bein g pieced t ogether by t h e divided la b our s

Of men of s cien ce i s pre sen t e d u su a lly in the f orm

,

o f a mech a n i stic s ymb olis m which believer s i n a

p sychic a l Un iverse mu st re in terpret with such clue s ,

a s a r e a va ila ble for them selve s It exi st s a lre a dy

, .

in such we a lth o f det a il th a t n o on e m a n c a n h o pe

t o m a st e r it Th e da y in f a ct is da wn in g when the
.
, ,

1
r
Pa t III Ch a . p IV
. . Th e r e is n ot h i n g i n th e ca us a l dyn a mi c
whi h c co m pl e s en dless ch a n i n
g g,
”
p . 4 71 .
 THE WOR LD AS IM A IN ATION G
or s impler chemic a l c omplexes themse lves embody
-
,

imm a n en t purp ose a n d li kewise the c o mplexe s

, ,

in orga ni c a n d o rg a n ic which s ucceed the se in ,

S uwes si on a n d the time o rder But we c a nn ot expect t o der i v e

r
-
.

de i v a t i on
the la st fro m the fir st a s wa s m a de clea r b e fore A
.

.
,

cre a tive sta ge a lwa ys a dds someth in g t o wh a t pre

cedes it Ag a in we c a nn o t derive the bi o l ogist s
.
,
’

o rg a ni s m s so lely fr o m t h e tele o l o gic a l w o rkin g

o f the l o wer n a tur a l a gen t s To a cc o un t for the .

re a li sa ti on of en ds in such structure s will requ ire a

m ore c ompreh en s ive o utl ook th a n thi s There a r e .

m a j or a s well a s min or s en tien t s in terrel a ted in the

World S ystem
-
.

L ivi g structure s a re n ot peculi a r t o the do ma in

n

Of bi o l o gy They ex ist in the in org a n ic kin gdo m s

.

in every qu a rt er Nowhere i s t o be foun d a mere

.

m a chin e the p a rts of which a re determin ed s ole ly

,

by a dyn a mic extr a n eous to themselv es Th e l owe st .

n a tur a l a gen t is a p sychic a l p o w e r which m a in t a in s

it self a ctively in c on diti on s n eutral frien dl y or , ,

in i mic a l t o it But the typ es of livin g o rga n ism s

.
,

rec ogn is ed by Officia l bi o logy a re for a ll th a t n o vel , , ,

form s o f crea ti on with n ovel pr opertie s o f a ss imil a

ti on r e pro ducti on e t c
, We do n ot require t o
, .

supp o s e a n ywhere a Vita l Force whi ch se em s a n

o ti ose c o n c e pti on a s o u n d brin g i n g n o th ought with
,

it But we require t o a ll o w fre e ly for inn umera ble

.

s e n tien t a ctivitie s a ki n t o the s en tien t Co smic

Im a gin in g i n wh os e la p li e the worlds An d the se .

ma y i n clude s e n ti e n t s fa r superi o r t o o urselve s It .

’
i s w e ll t o repea t Bra dley s wa rn i n g tha t every
fra gmen t of v is ible Na ture might so fa r a s is kn o wn , ,

s erv e a s p a rt in s o me o rg a n i sm u n like o u r b o die s

”
,

a n d th a t we c a n se t n o b o u n d s t o t h e exis te n c e or
 IN ORG ANIC AND OR ANIC G LIFE
powers o f sen tie n t bein g s It is well I sa y sin ce M y diff r .
, , an e e n t.

the problem of de sign in conn ection with orga ni c 3231253 m , ay

s tructure s ordin a ril y so c a lled ma y be fa r m o re c o m

,
3; -
,

plic a ted th a n i s oft en supp os ed a n d ma y a t ti me s ,

in cl in e u s t o su spect the a ge n cy of multiple supe r

huma n p ower s At a n y ra te the m ere in vokin g of
.
,

min or purp os ive n a tura l a gen ts or of a solita ry

G od a s on fa mili a r the ol ogic a l lin e s will n ot pr ovide
, ,

u s with solutio n s tha t a r e a dequ a te t o every

riddl e .

Bi ol ogy then a s ordin a rily t a ught i s c on cern ed Th stag f

, , ,
e es o

n ot with the o rigin of lif e but with tha t of a p a r 25 3 233

3 3
, 0

t i c u la r st a ge of life N0 sta ges in the evoluti on of fitt fiiitéfi i y

.
’

Na ture a r e divide d utterly In the hea rt of the by .

an a ss;

in orga n ic there i s a qua s i purp o sive va ryin g -

from p sychic a l u n re st t owa rd re st or h a rm on y .

An d in orga n ic thin g s ma y t a ke on in rema rk ,

a ble wa y s t h e f orm s of , o rg a n ic structure s a n d ,

“
s h ow eve n lifelike m ovemen t s such a s the s e
la tter di spla y 1
Da tin g a ga in from Wohler s
.
, ,
’

sy n the s i s of ure a in 18 2 8 m a n y c o mp oun ds on ce ”

, ,

th ought t o origin a te on ly in orga n ic structure s ,

ha ve been put to ge ther by chemi st s Co ns idera tion s .

like thes e in dic a te tha t i n orga n ic thin g s a n d the

biol ogist s o rga n i sm s a re n ot p a rted by a n y a byss
’
.

On the o ther h a n d we a r e ig n o ra n t a s t o t h e step s

,
“
by which ( bi olo gis t s ) livin g sub sta n ce wa s born ’ ”

a n d ch e ri s hed i n i t s pr ob a ble cr a dle o f wa ter 2

The .

1
Th e pr t r f rr d t h g i rf
o a go n mov e men t s ( e e e o c an es n su a ce

t i )
e n s on b it d ca n e c e .

Th r i Pfl ii g t h ry t th ff t th t th y g
2 ’
e e s er s eo o e e ec a e c a no en

r di l ( CN) w
a ca t p t w rd t h pr t id
as a m l l s ed o a s e o e o ecu e ,
”
an

th t h
a rly hi t ry f th t r iti b g i th f rmi g
t e ea s o o e a ns on e an n e o n

o f y c
g d
a no t h r enm p d w
an h th o th w t i ll
e co ou n s en e ea r as s
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

c on diti on s Of i t s o rigin bel on ged perh a p s t o a , ,

Tr u e ; but we p a st such a s n o hum a n gue ssin g c a n r e c a ll Th e .

h a v e t o t ak e
n ot e of o rigin a ti on it s elf is on e of the gre a t cre a tive s tr oke s
r
a n ot h e gr ea t
r
c r e a ti v e s t ok e .
by which the Cosmic Im a gi ni n g a dds we a lth t o
re a lity a n d by which it secure s a field for the f orm a
,

ti on of in n umera ble n ovel h a bit s o r u ni f ormitie s

of Na ture Th e first ( bi ologi sts ) li vin g su b
.
’

s t a n ce which ma y h a ve been subcellul a r a n d ve ry

,
”

l a bile wa s surely very differen t fro m the mere

,

cryst a l An d la ter with the ev oluti on of cellul a r

.
,

a n d mul ticellula r o rg a ni sm s the di ff ere n ce s bec ome ,

a cce n tu a ted C on serva ti on a n d crea ti on c on cur

.

a s everywhere i n the time pr o ce s s Th e o rg a n i sm -

.

c on serve s it self by a ss imila tin g m a teri a l be n d s ,

the l ower chemic a l a n d phys ic a l h a bits or la ws

o f Na ture t o i t s u s e s a dju st s it s elf rep a irs it self , , ,

protects itself a n d repr o duces it s elf sh o win g a

, ,

u n ity of beh a vi our th a t repe a ts o n a higher leve l ,

a n d in a n e w f o rm the u n ity o f the primitive n a tur a l

,

a ge n t o r N ucle a r Th e cry st a l gr o ws by a ttr a ct

.
,

i n g m a teri a l chemic a lly the sa me a s it s elf in l a yers ,

s uperp o s ed extern a lly on a c ore There a r e qu a s i .

purp o sive fa ct ors in volved in the a ctivitie s o f the

min o r p sychic a l exi sten t s which it c o mpri se s but ,

a s sure dl y it i s a n in st a n ce o f a wh ole determin ed

,

by it s p a rt s It i s wh a t it i s bec a u se these p sychic a l

.

e xi ste n t s beh a ve a s they do There i s n o o ther .

un ity of c on tro l th a n the re sult t o which the se

exi ste n t s c on spire .

With reg a rd to the ben din g of physic a l and

r m ly h t th fir t h mi l mp d r l ti g i
e xt e e o e s c e ca co ou n s esu n n li vi n g
sub t t ki g pl i th pri m l l k
s a n ce a n d a ce n e ev a a es or s ea s ue to t he
pr ipi t ti f w t r Thi i p rh p th b t p
ec a on o a e . s s, e a s, e es s e cul a ti v e

sugg t i y
es t il b
onl B t i t iem r g i g av a a e. u s e e u ess n .
 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

o uts et but broken witha l t o u s eful s ervice Wa s

,
.

thi s in ven tion of prot o pl a sm the first experimen t

Of i t s s o rt o r the l a s t h a ppy s tr oke in a lis t of

fa ilure s It mu st n ot be a ssumed th a t im a gin a ti on ,

improvi sin g in the y outh of thi s pl a n et a chieved ,

a ll i t s gre a t s ucce ss e s a t a s tr oke Th e chr on i cle s .

Of l a ter o rg a n ic ev o luti o n h a ve a lw a y s c o mpri s ed

f a ilure s ; a n d N a tura l S electi o n keep s wa tch a n d

wa rd o ver experimen t s such a s va ri a ti on s
illu stra te In a w o rld s h o t with ch a n ce a n d
.

burge on in g i n every qu a rter in t o the u n f ore see n

— a w orld in a S y stem fr om which i t s pri sti n e ,

—
h a rm on y h a s fl e d pr o cedure by tri a l a n d err o r
mu st h a ve a pl a ce While we a r e u n a ble t o a n sw e r
.

the que sti on j u st r a i sed we m a y dwell on it a wh ile ,

t o some pr ofit .

With the a dven t Of the higher multic e llul a r

o rg a n i s m s the n e w life th ea tre bec o m e s full of
,

w on ders t o which t he c a te g o rie s o f Mech a n i sm

,

S imply do n o t a pply
1
It i s o n the se leve l s th a t t he
.

c a rele ss de fi n iti o n Of L if e is b e st te sted the te le o

lo gic u n ity o f beh a vi our which we mi ss in the
cryst a l ( a wh ole by i t s p a rts ) st a n ds o u t
clea rly For thi s re a son S pen cer s de fin iti on of L ife
’

? Lg
( efin i t i on s .

“
— a se t of ch a n ge s S imulta n e o u s a n d s ucc e ss ive, ,

c ombin ed t o a d efi n ite re sult a n d 111 c o rre sp on de n c e ,

”
with extern a l circum sta n ce s o r in a ter s e fo rm , , ,

Life is the c on tin u a l a dju stm en t of in tern a l t o e x

tern a l rel a ti on s —i s felt t o be u n sa ti sfa ct ory This .

a dju stme n t i s a f a ct but t o n o tic e it i s n ot ,

1
Of t h e pt r Th i d q
ch a y f M h
e s oni l P ri e na e uac o ec a n ca n

pp q
.

5 d Th i d f
P h i l gy ( 2 3 ua c
i pl i s o o y an on e na e o
c es y n .

M h i l Pri i pl t E p l i Org i E l ti
ec a n ca nc es ( pp 2 4 6
o x a n an c vo u on .

2 57 ) i Pr f r M d g ll B dy d M i d ’
n o e sso ac ou a s o an n .
 D EFINITIONS OF LIF E
en ough the m ouldin g prin ciple or teleolo gic
u ni ty a t the b a ck of it mu st be m en ti on ed S pen cer s S p .
’
e n cer .

defin iti on m isse s t o o much h e i s ob sessed here a s

a lwa ys by the mech a n ic a l m on is m which vitia te s

h i s w ork . There i s a defi n iti on which I fin d in my ,

n o t e s a ttributed t o K a n t s t a tin g th a t Life mea n s K

,
a n t.

t h e c a p a city of a s ub st a n ce t o set it self in a cti on by

virtue Of a n in tern a l prin ciple Excell en t when .

y o u a r e cle a r a s t o wh a t y o u me a n by pr in ciple .

Such a defin ition a s is fittin g will c a rry u s fa r

, ,

beyon d the mere bi ol ogi sts do m a in It w ill a pply ’

.
,

for in sta n ce t o the p sychi ca l a cti v i ty whereby even

,

t h e mi n or n a tura l a g e n t fr o m Nuclea r upwa rd , ,

cha n ge s in c orr esp on den ce with extern a l circum

s t a n ce s a n d m a in t a in s it s elf a mid furtherin g a n d ,

thwa rtin g a gen t s con tra mundum We h a ve t o, .

’
rega rd biol ogi st s o rga n i sm s a s merely type s of
life structure s ex a mple s of which a re in de fin itely
-
,

m ore n umero u s th a n ord ina ry s cien ce c on cede s .

Th e elf c on serv in g a ctivity of the lowe st p sychic a l

s -

a ge n ts is a s we s a w i n tre a tin g Of the primev a l

,

c on flict a ggre ss ive— is a n e n cr oa chin g a ctivity

,

which s eek s t o domin a te a gen ts which a r e en c ou n

t er ed by it a n d which pre ss up on a n d limit it .

Ass i mi la ti on a s n o t e d in t h e bi ol o gic a l field i s a A

, , ss i mi la t ion .

n o vel f o rm o f thi s a ggre s s i o n s h o wn i n the b e n di n g

o f t h e a ge n t s a s s imila t e d t o the u s es o f the o rga n i s

in g s tructure Repr oducti on ren dered p oss ible by R

.
, e pr odu c ti on .

gro wth a s simil a tion s ten ds t o pe rpetu a te a n d exten d

-
,

c on quest Were it n ot checked by u n a ss imila ble

.

o r de structive a ge n t s it wo uld b e c o me exce s sive

,

fo r the r e gi on where it o ccurs There is a cc ord .

,

in gly a certa in
,
divin ity o f mea sure enf orced
ruthlessly a t n eed by c onfl ict which secure s t he ,
 THE WORLD AS IMA GINATION
b a la n ce o f specie s a n d s et s b oun d s to the mul tipli
c a ti on of a n y s ort o f biologic a l orga ni sm h owever ,

pu shful it ma y be .

PLA N T S AN D AN I M L A S

8 . Are
pl a n t s m ore th a n im a g in a l c omplexe s in
Na ture a re they di stin ct sen tien t a gen ts in their
—
o wn right a s well a s c on te n t a re a s in which i n
1 -

n umer a ble very l o wly s e n tie n t a ge n t s p la y their

p a rts ? Berg son thin k s th a t the pl a n t i s u n con

s ci o u s Thi s on o u r lin e s i s t o sa y th a t the pla n t
.
, ,

i s con ten t for the c on sci o u sn e ss of the C I but n ot . .

,

c on ten t which i s a lso a wa re Of it self Th e pla n t

, ,
.
,

even if you reg a rd it with Berg son a s u n c on sci ou s

, , ,

”
c a nn ot be a merely m a teria l thin g ; this i s a n
a ltern a tive l on g a go rej ected by u s a s a b surd It .

i s a th ought i n t h e o rder o f im a gi n a l Na ture Is .

thi s th ought p a rti a lly a n d dimly a wa re of the

h a ppen in g s within it ? Th a t i s wh a t we a r e a skin g .

It i s C lea r th a t a th o ught c a n be pre sen t t o a

c on sciou s experien ce with o ut bein g a c on sci o u s
experien t its elf O n ly in this s en se c a n we t olera te
.

the in quiry a s t o whether t h e pla n t is s en tien t

or n ot .

Berg son den ie s t he

e tien cy but in n o c on vin e
s n ,

V
in g wa y Th e membra n e of cellul ose i n which
.

the pr ot o pla sm wra p s it self up n ot o nl y preven t s

t h e s imple st veget a ble o rg a n i sm fr o m m ovin g but ,

s cree n s it a l so in s o me me a sur e fro m th os e o ut e r

, , ,

s timuli which a c t o n the s e n s ib ili ty o f the a n im a l

a s irrit a n t s a n d preve n t it fr om g o in g t o sleep

”
2
.

1
Cf Ch a
. p VI
. .
, on r
a e a s Of se n ti en cy .

2
Crea ti ve Evoluti on , En glis h t r a n sla ti o n , p . 117 .
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
ma n y ! Let le a ve thi s do m a in
us t o t he p sych o
logist s and judge s Of beh a vi o ur .
”

L ivi g s tu ff in ta min g chemic a l a gen ts doe s so

n , ,

a t the price Of in st a bility a n d u n re s t : pr ot opl a s m ,

a s Huxley sa id h a s t o be dyin g in order th a t it

,

ma y live Ass imila ti on o r t h e t a min g o f fr e sh

.

a ge n t s to repl a ce th o s e l o s t a s w e ll a s t o s ecure ,

n e w gr o wth is in di spe n sa ble

, This in ge sti o n a n d .

do m in a ti on t a ke di ffere n t f orm s in the pla n t a n d

a n im a l Th e c on serva tive s ide Of re a lity is m o re
.

con spicu ou s in the pla n t Th e pl a n t i s in the .

,

m a in , a n a b o lic bu ildin g up chemic a l c omple xe s

,

which a s phr a se s go ret a rd the degra da ti on of

, ,
“
En ergy by lookin g it up
” ”
a while in a poten
tia l f orm We h a ve rej e cted thi s En ergy sym
.
-

boli sm a s of w orth on ly for pra ctice Wha t occurs .

is n o immis on men t of a n e n tity En ergy

”
but the ,

br in g in g t ogether of sen tien t exi ste n ts or a ge n ts

in s uch
f as hi on tha t thei r p sychi ca l rela ti on s a re p r o
“
vi s i on a lly s table libera ti on o f En ergy when
. Th e ,
”

the c o mplex orga n ic stu ff s split in t o s impler is ,

j u st the se p sychic a l a gen t s them s elve s bre a kin g

a w a y in t o n e w rel a tio n s They c a nn ot h o weve r .
, ,

bre a k a wa y thu s in defin ite ly bec a u se s oon e r or , ,

la ter they re a ch a m o re o r le ss ha rm o n i ou s s itu a

,

ti on or sta te of equilibrium fr om which there i s

n o m o tive a s we s h o uld s a y t o s hift
,
Thi s s equ e l , .

w ould n ot suit u s if we wa n ted t o secure work

fro m the n a tur a l a ge n t s a n d c on s eque n tly we , , ,

a ffirm n o t quite with out m a lev ole n c e th a t

, En ergy ,

degra ded
”
h a s been in t o bein g u n a va il a ble for
our u se s .

If a n umber of workers bec a me Bhi hkhus of the

 THE PLAN T s
’
WORK
Buddhis t type e n joyin g the re stful be a titude o f
,

s a in t s a n d were
, c on sequen tly los t t o the fa ct ory
, , ,

a c a pit a li st might re ga rd them a s degra ded

in to un a va ila ble work p owe r or En ergy Thi s i s
-
.
”

comprehen sible from h i s p o in t Of view but we mu st ,

s urely c on s ide r the st a te o f the Bhi kkhus them s elve s

Th e pla n t s work then c a n be phra sed a s st ora ge Th plant

’ ’
e s
, ,
W 01
‘

o f En ergy
”
i n pro tein a n d st a rch stu ffs th ough it
0

a ls o expen ds En ergy t o a n ext en t in m oti on ,

”
,

a n d he a t Th e a n im a l orga n i s m bel on g s m ore t o

.

t he cre a tive ch a n geful s ide Of Na ture ; it s tore s ,

“
but in the ma in it expen ds En ergy is emin e n tly
, , ,
”

c a t a b o lic bei n g the the a tre of ce a sele ss o xida

,
”

ti on s a bre a ker do wn o f c o mplex s tuffs in t o s impler

,
-

“
with the a cc omp a n yin g libera ti on of En ergy .
”

We c a n rethin k this symboli sm a s in dic a ted a b ove ,

Th e n a tura l p sychic a l a ge n t s which e sc a pe fro m ,

their rela ti on s in c omplex stuffs a r e them selve s ,

“
the En ergy which i s libera ted a n d perh a p s
” ”
, ,

“
directed in the c a t a b olic proc e ss Within the C t b l i m .
a a o s
i th im l n e an a
d om a in of the higher a n im a l s the c o n tra st between g i m or an s .

the c on se rva tive a n d t h e cre a tive re a ppe a rs in

the strikin g a n a b oli s m o f the hum a n fema le
a s c omp a red with the c a t a b olic u s er of En ergy ,
”

t h e m a le Th e superi or cre a tive in iti a tive of the

.

m a le in the s phere s of a b stra ct th ought a rt in dus , ,

tria l in ven ti on a n d n ovel a dve n ture gen era lly i s

,

a lli e d with a b o dy which i s built t o s qu a n der i t s

re source s a t n e e d Thi s b o dy give s n orm a lly such

.

direction t o it s sub ordin a te n a tura l a ge n t s a s suit s

the wa y in which t h e chi ef sen tien t c o n n ected with ,

it ha s t o live
, .

Pl a n t a n d a ni m a l a r e thu s complemen ta ry a s pects

Of the Wo rld S y stem a s it divide s it s la b o ur in the
-
536 THE WOR L D AS IM A IN ATIO N G
S phere of orga n ic evoluti on pl a n t b o dy which. Th e -
,

c a n build fr o m wh a t come s t o it with the chemic a l

a ge n t s wa ter c a rb oni c a cid a n d a mm oni a c a l sa lt s

, , ,

is in the m a in a s t orer Of En ergy i e it rel a te s

, , , . .

p sychic a l exi sten t s c omplexly so th a t in bre a kin g , ,

a w a y l a ter fr o m their c o mplexe s they do th in g s ,

which c a n a ls o subserv e a n overr ul in g lif e S i c

, , .

vos n on v obi s Th e a n im a l body a ss imil a tin g pl a n ts

-
,

or th e ti ssue s of o ther a n i m a ls or both ut ili se s ,

the s e bre a k a wa ys a n d -
degr a de s En ergy a s
, ,

the phra se g o e s therewith It i s a pla ce Of o xida

, .

ti on . An d o xida ti on for the p sychic a l ex is te n t s

c on cern ed i s a m o ve t owa rd a sta te of re stful c om
bin a ti on — t owa rd a m ore or le ss h a rm on io u s
s itu a ti on which reduce s the p o ss ibilitie s o f further

ch a n ge We see in this de sce n t t o the s impler

.

c o mpoun ds h ow the a n im a l b o dy work s It re a li se s -

.

i t s qu a s i purp osive life by lettin g the min or sen

-

t i en t s f o ll o w with a cert a in o verrulin g directi on

, ,

their ben ts a n d i t s utili sa ti on of them i s limited by

,

the limited n umber Of o b sta cle s which lie betwee n

the ir c omplex c o mb in a tion s a n d a sta te Of rel a tive
re st Th e stimuli on which En ergy is rele a sed
.
, ,

a r e a ll a t bott o m p sychic a l a n d every a cti on o f a ,

n a tur a l a gen t i s a va ryin g towa rd h a rmo n y e xpli c

a ble i n term s of p sychic s .

eem s a true wa y Of lo okin g a t pl a n t a n d

Th is s

a n im a l if we wa n t t o co n s ider them a s f a ct or s in
,

the pr oce ss s ymb olised a s the redi stribution Of

“
En ergy
”
But it i s n ot of c ourse a dequ a te t o
.
, ,

their full in tere st a s th ought structure s on the -

s t oried c a n va s of cre a ti on Th e i n ve n ti o n in thi s .

do m a in i s a stoun di n g a n d some a ttempt wi ll be ,

ma de to de a l with the to pic in t he foll owin g cha pter .

 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION

this o rga n ic evolution or cre a ti on ? I sa y crea

ti on a dvi se dl y s in ce the mere s l ow n e ss o f the
,

a lleged tr a n s fo rm a ti on s d o e s n ot f orbid o ur u se o f

the term 1
Th e p o in t i s th a t cre a ti on a dd s some
.

wh a t t o the sta ge a t which it o ccurs a n d a sl ow ,

a d di ti on a cc o rdin g t o o u r e s tim a te s o f time

,
is ,

j u st a s s ign ific a n t a s a ra pid If then orga n i sm s .

, ,

h a ve va ried a n d va ried through milli on s of y e a r s

till the a ccumul a ted va ri a ti on s in di ffe r en t dircc
ti on s h a ve yielded s pecie s a s we fin d the m t o d a y ,

wh a t i s the ch a ra cter o f the cre a tive proce ss a t

w ork 2

We the thre sh old Of the riddle of va ria

a re a t

ti on a n d th o ugh it i s n ot o ur s pecia l bu s in e ss t o
,
”
,

di scu ss bi olo gy we o ught t o sugge st perh a p s h o w

, , ,

o ur m a i n hyp othe se s ma y pr o ve fruitful in thi s

field .

Let ppr oa ch thi s riddl e by c on siderin g firs t

us a

the f a ctor o f orga n ic evo luti on which is c a ll ed

Na tura l Se lection D a rwin a n d A R Wa lla ce . . .

s h a re the h on o ur o f h a vin g br o ught th is old w o rld -

s ugge stio n in t o the fo refr on t o f bi o l o gic a l the o ry

c on cern ed with the orig in Of o rga n ic ki n ds o r sp e ci e s .

S ome o f D a rwin s successors h a ve emph a sised t h e

’

imp o rt a n ce of Na tura l S election even m ore th a n

he did Their wo rk h a s m a de a ppe a l t o every o n e
.

who wa s tired o f the ol ogic a l tra diti on It h a s .

prep a red the wa y for a fra n k d is cu ssi on Of a very

l a rge pro blem the full exten t Of which i s seldom
,

1
Th e e v olu ti o n of r
ho d z br
s es a n t f t h Hyr
e a s ou th ri m o e a co e u

of th e Te t i a y r r bd e s se e m t s l gd w
o us on t t m
ra pr n ou o so e su e

hu ma n s i t ma y m se e ry r pid W imm r d i th d t il
ve a . e a re e se n e e a

of t he w rld pr
o - ocess a n d t h r f r f l th pr
e e o e ee l g e ocess on .
 THE PROB LEM OF VARIATIONS
re a lis ed even to d a y But it co n t a in s n o promis e
.

of sa tis fyin g our dem a n ds for expl a n a tion Mecha n i st s .

h a ve gre a tly o verra ted it s p ower t o solve difficultie s .

which men a ce the i r gen era l philosophic a l p o siti on .

N a tura l Selecti on is sa id by D a rwin to give V ri ti a a on s

alz b? littl
i h i
Thi s K
” s
ri se by gr a du a ted step s to n a tura l ra ce s . e

form o f the hyp o he sis supp ose s th a t va ri a ti on s fi fi fig gg

‘

t gf v c

a ppe a r
l
i ttle by h tt le A secon d f orm supp ose s
.

f
fi ifi fig
fi ) so

th a t v a rl a t l on s ma y a ppea r suddenl y s evera l n ew

ch a ra c t ers in deed a ri s in g t ogether a t in terva ls
, ,
.

S pecie s on this View live through a ltern a tin g periods

, ,

o f r e l a tive s t a b ility a n d tra n s form a ti on But the .

pro blem o f the va ria ti ons is c omm on to b oth form s

o f the hyp othe s i s .

N a tura l S electi on is on ly po ss ible bec a u se o rg a n Th p

f th o
e
e
ro b le m

i sm s va ry It elim in a te s th ose orga n i sms which i t i

. v ar a on s .

“
a re u n fit for the c on diti on s o f the c o n temp o ra ry
s truggle ( which ma m k f the urviv a l o f t h e
y a e o r s

p a ra sit e t o t h e pre judice o f wh a t we c a ll superi o r

forms o f l ife ) It fixe s u seful va ria tion s which c o me
.

t o it a n d which it do e s n ot m a ke It is imp o te n t .
,

if n o such va ria ti on s a ris e t o evo lve ,

a n ew

s p e cie s .Th e va ri a ti on s a ga in a s D a r win him se lf

,

p o in ted o u t a r e due in a sma ll degree onl y t o t h e

,

e n vir on me n t but in a high degree t o the n a ture

,

of the o rga n i sm s the m selve s This c on s ide ra .

tion is c a pita l It S h ift s the burden o f evolution

.

on t o the org a n is m s which a r e bein g ev olve d !

An d we a r e m o ved th e refore t o a sk why the o rg a n
, ,

i sm s va ry in the rema rka ble wa ys pr oper t o them

, ,

a t a ll . Th e rid dl e o f va ria ti on bec o me s a cute a n d

i s fo un d to be the e s sen tia l on e with which we h a ve
to gra pple .
 THE WOR LD AS IM AGIN ATION

Let us hea r D rwi

ature of the c on di
n . Th e na

ti on s i s o f sub ordin a te imp ort a n ce in c omp a ri son

with the n a ture of the o rg a n i sm in determin in g
—
e a ch p a rtic ul a r form of va ri a ti on perh a p s of n ot
m ore imp ort a n ce th a n the n a ture Of the sp a rk by ,

which a m a ss of c o mbu stible m a tter i s ig n ited h a s ,

”
in determ in in g the n a ture Of the fl a me s 1
.

N o te n ow tha t exi stin g o rga n i sm s a re de scen da n t s

Of orga ni sm s th a t were n ot elimin a ted in the struggle
—till a fte r repro duction h a d t a ken pla ce Th e y .

a r e the re sult s o f va ri a ti on s due chiefly a s D a rw in ,

a vers t o
, the n a ture s of their a n ce str a l o rga n i sm s
and them selve s A b ody ve ry l on g a go va rie d
.

fro m the re st of the u n di fferen ti a ted life stuff ; -

o ther b o die s which pr o l on g e d it kept o n v a ryin g

, , ,

a n d fi n a lly a fter u n t o ld milli o n s Of ye a r s the re sult

, ,

Th e v a r a i i s y on der beech N a tur a l S e lectio n h a s eli mi n a ted

.

t i on s , r a th
er

th a n N t
a u ra l b o die s in a ll qu a rters but cle a rly it h a s n either
,

S el e c on ,
ti
e limi n a ted n o r pr o duced t h e v a ri a ti o n s which h a v e
p d
h a v e ro uce d
p t i ul
th is a r c a r i ss ued in thi s p a rticula r beech S o me h a ve c a ll e d
b ee c h.
.

the se va ri a ti on s f ortuit ou s but it i s by n o m ea n s ,

”

cle a r wh a t they m e a n Th e Wo rld S ystem c om .

-

pri s e s ,
n o do ubt ch a n ce h a ppen in g s but the se
-
, ,

l a tt e r a r e in ciden ta l t o it s m a i n ch a ra cte r An d .
,

s eein g th a t cre a tive o rg a n ic e v o luti on i s fed by the

v a ri a ti on s we sha ll h a ve t o f orm s om e c on c e pti on

,

o f h o w the s e c ome t o p a s s Fortuit ou s is a .

term which believers in a n Ima gi n a l Grou n d h a ve

t o in terpret in their own wa y .

Th e vir on me n t it i s w orth ob s ervin g c a n n ot

en , ,

be excluded fro m the ra n ge o f purpo s e it i s wh a t

1
On th e Causes of V ri bility
a a , Ori gi n f
o S peci es , 6th ed
 THE WORLD AS I M A GINATION
c ult i es the mecha ni stic go spel h a s been left behin d .

But Ob serve the pr ocedure which h a s m a de some

o f i t s expl a n a ti on s t oler a ble If you c ould h a ve in
.

view t o gether a ll the va ria ti on s in o rga n ic Na ture

Of a ll kin d s p a st a n d pre se n t you w ould ha r dl y
, ,

fin d the epithet blin d t o y o ur t a ste But whe n .

mecha n ist s dea l piece me a l with orga n ic s tructure s

-

a n d fu n cti on s n o w with
, th e se teeth n ow with ,

th o se stin g s h a bit s or h oofs t h e dem a n d on your

, , ,

p a tien ce i s n ot t o o gre a t An ythin g might h a ppen

.

in a very l on g time you a r e a p t t o thin k s evere a s

, ,

the c a ll s o n blin dly c on spir in g a n d c o ordin a ted -

va ri a ti on s re a lly a r e Y ou a r e in clin ed t o sa y
.

y es ,n a tur a l s electi o n m a y h a ve s ufficed i n th i s

The n a n o ther c a s e i s pre s e n ted a n d the n

”
c a se.
,

a n o ther a n d you e n d
, perh a p s by a ll owin g th a t a
, ,

pro ce ss which i s d e void of th ought i s n o n e the

le ss a ble t o w ork w on ders a n d even t o ev olve t h e
epiphe n omen on thought itself .

2 . Th e
View th a t o ute r c on dition s directly
i n fluen ce the i n tern a l c on diti on s of the orga n is m ,

a s s t a ted by Eimer ( in o rder t o get rid of f o rtuit o u s

”
or a ccide n t a l va ri a ti on s thr o wn o fi by the
o rg a n i sm ) m a ke s t h e o rga n i sm t oo p a ssive It .

illu stra te s th a t Old vie w o f c a u sa ti on which w o rked

with the n oti on s of a gen t a n d s om e thi n g a cted
up on S uch c a u sa l s itu a ti on s n ever o ccur in Na ture
.
,

if ou r precedi n g di scu ss i on s h a ve bee n s ou n d Th e .

s u n a ct s di ffere n tly a s we s a y o n differe n t thi n g s

, , ,

bec a u s e the thin g s a cted on a r e a ctive a s well .

In the c a se Of t h e o rg a n i sm thi s a cti v e r es pon se i s

eve n m ore striki n g th a n it i s in the c a se of a primi
tive n a tura l a ge n t or c o mplex Of such a gen ts All .

c a usa ti on in cludin g o rg a n ic re sp ons e t o

, o uter
 AD APTATION

c on di ti on s c ompris e s crea tion ; a n d it is pre

,

c i s el thi s cre tive re p e which i s i ter ti g

y a s o n s n e s n

u s n ow . Eimer i s de a lt with very e ffe ctively by

B e rg son .

Berg son ha s wa rn ed us of the ri sk of c onf u s in g B g er s on on th e

t wo s e n s e s Of a tre a cher o u s w ord

”
a d a pt a ti on ,

very fa mili a r t o studen ts of biol ogic a l the ory It “m

.
”

m e a n s h e s a ys a t ti me s p a ssivity durin g modifica

, ,

ti o n by the e n viro n me n t a t tim e s a n effort o f the ,

o rg a n i sm t o build up a m a chi n e c a p a ble of tur n i n g

extern a l circum st a n ce s t o the best p oss ible a cc o u n t .

Th e re 1s we m a in t a in n o c a se o f mere p a ss ivity
, ,

di s c o vera ble Eve n s e a lin g wa x a ltered by a s e a l

.
-

re s p on ds di fferen tly t o pre ssure th a n a dia m on d ;

thi s i s bec a u se the in n umera ble n a tura l a gen ts c on
cern ed a r e a ctive in the ir p a rticula r wa ys But it .

d oes n o t r e sp on d o f c our se with th a t u n ity of c on

, ,

s tructiv e e ff o rt which m a rk s t h e hi st ory o f the

o rg a n i s m re sp on din g t o it s surr ou n din g s Th e .

o rg a n i sm s r e s p on se m a y be prep on dera n tly con s er v a

’

ti ve or cr ea ti v e but it i s a lwa y s a g e n uin e r e s p o n s e

,

a n d n ot a c a s e Of p a ss ive a ltera ti on Bergso n s

’
.

c a uti on i s imp o rta n t Fo r beli e ver s i n p a ss ive

.

a lt e r a ti o n a r e m a n y An d the c on ve ni e n ce for th e m
.

o f pr o fitin g by the t wo s e n s e s of a da pt a ti o n
”
,

whe n the y a r e in difficul tie s i s n o t t o be d e ni e d , .

Th e rga n is m h o we ver n ever builds Up Berg

o , ,

”
’
s on s ma chin e It rela te s min or s en ti en t a gen ts
.

i n t o n o ve l c omplexe s ta kmg a dva n ta ge of their ,

h a bit s o r la ws Of a ction t o secure such sta ble

a rr a n gem e n t s as it require s There a re n o .

m a chin es in t he s en s e tha t there a re systems

”
 THE WORLD G
A S IM A IN ATION

Oi p a rts which m ove s olely in vi rtue of a ction s

extra n e ou s t o themselve s .

3 . Th e
problem of the eye tests evoluti on a ry
hyp o the se s s everely Berg son p oin ts out wi th .
,

gre a t effect th a t vertebra te a n d pecten di verged

,

from the ir p a re n t stem l on g before the a dven t of

eyes N everthele ss the s e very c o mplex org a ns
.
,

a ppe a rin g o n t wo e n tir ely di ffere n t lin e s of ev olu

’
ti on pre sen t strikin g re sembla n ce s Th e pecten s
, .

eye t oo h a s a reti n a c orn e a a n d cellul a r len s

, , , ,
.

He s h ows th a t mech a n i stic n eo D a rwin i a n n eo ,

-
,

La m a rckia n a n d like hyp othe ses c a n n ot dea l with

,

the pr oblem sa ve by a skin g u s t o believe in in t oler

a bly c omplex n a y fa n ta stic co in ciden ces Th e
, , , .

eye he sa ys
, s olves a pr o blem
, it i s n ot the
re sult o f a sl o w on e sided a ltera tion Of the livin g
,
-

body by light An d t he solution i s a chieved in

.

i n de pen den t qu a rter s Berg son n ote s in thi s c on .

n ect i o n h o w s exu a lity in the higher a n im a l s a n d

pla n t s s h ows m a n y c omm on fe a ture s de spite the

i n depen den t lin e s of evo luti on of the specie s c o n
cern ed He c on clude s th a t the s ource Of the
.

cre a tive ch a n gin g i n defin i te di r ecti on s lie s in e ffort

fa r deeper th a n the L a m a rcki a n i n dividu a l eff ort ;
a n e ffort c o mm on t o m ost repre se n t a tive s of t h e

sa me s pecie s i n here n t in the gen u s they be a r r a ther

,

tha n in their sub sta n c e a l on e a n effort thereby ,

a ssured o f bein g p a ssed on t o their de s ce n da n t s .

Th e gr o un d o f thi s e ff ort is the Ela n Vi ta l which ,

is a s i mple a ctivity bey on d but a l so within , ,

the members of the evolvin g species .

Th e n eO D
rwin i a n s a re pro b a bly right
-
a

when they te a ch tha t the e ssen tia l c a u ses Of va ria

 THE W OR L D AS IM A GIN ATION
Th e a ns wer our lip s a s we a sk Th e sp on
is on .

t a n ei ty i n que sti on i s n o o ther th a n cre a tive

i ma gi n a l a ctivity the r a n ge o f which exte n d s a s
,

well through o rga n ic a s in org a n ic Na ture Thi s .

i s the on ly cre a tive p ower i n the Un iver se It i s .

crea tive a s we sa w in the dyn a mic Of so c a lled

, ,
-

“
in ert Ma tter a n d it furn i she s a l so the exp er i
,
”

men ta l i n ven ti ons on which Na tura l Selecti on feeds

, ,

in the sphere of the bi ol ogi st s o rg a n i s m s Thi s

’
.

gen era l sta t e men t m a y be m a de c on fiden tly L et .

u s se e n ow if we c a n m a ke it m o re preci se .

”
1
Cre a ti on beg a n with the c orrupti on of etern ity ,

the birth Of time successi on the a lterin g Of the-

,

In itia l S itu a ti on or World Ide a when ce in org a n ic -

evoluti on to ok its ri se It c on curs we held with .

, ,

con serva tion ; it s im a gin a l n ovelti es h a ppen a l on g

with the ma i n ten a n ce or c on serva ti on of m ore or
le ss determ in a te direction s of ch a n gin g imp osed
by it s source the ch a ra cter of the o rig in a l World
”

Ide a which i s bein g m o difi ed a n d en riched Th e .

a ri s in g of in n umera bl e n e w c on te n t s a n d fi n ite se n

t i en t s m a rks the a rti stry of the divin e r o m a n c e .

But a ll thi s n ew we a lth i s won a n d a ccumul a ted

on lin e s which wh ile el a stic a re n everthele ss
, ,

decreed fr om the first Even so the dr a m a ti st .

de vel op s his pl a y he decide s on i t s ch a ra cter a n d

comp a ss a t the out set but within the s e limits he ,

improvi se s cre a tively a s he g oe s Th e grea ter .

fe a ture s Of a World S ystem a re in herited so t o -

,
”
S pe a k , fro m it s in iti a l ide a but surpri se s in , ,

ven ti on s ,
”
ch a n ce ha ppen in g s Of a ll sort s a re
-

’
t o be n oted thr ough o ut it s c a reer Ber gs on s .

1
Dr S chill er s ph r a se But there is a compen sa tory side
’
.

to the co rr p ti u on.
CON E S RVATION AND CREATION IN EV OL UTION 54 7

defin ite dir ecti on of cha n gin g tha t o f the ev olu D fi it , e n e

ti on of t h e eye wa s in evita ble from the first L ight 3135322

,
.
1
1
8

wa s a n orig in a l a spect o f the c on te n t of the World

Ide a 1
. An d s in ce such c on te n t i s t o bec o me m a n i
fes t to fin ite sen ti en t s huma n a n i m a l etc there , , , .
,

a ri se s s o on er o r l a ter Be r son s eff rt which ’

g o

cons tr ucts o rg a n s c on tribut ory t o this e n d fr o m t h e

level Of the pigmen t sp ot of the i n fu s ori a n upwa rd

-
.

But th ough the evoluti on of s ight wa s in evita ble ,

the di fferen t s orts o f light org a n s ev olved c ompri se -

n o v e lti e s u n t old S imila rly the evoluti on of the

.

pla n t wa s in evita ble but this directi on of ch a n ge

, ,

determin ed in a dva n ce a n d cons er ved st a bly in the

time proce ss is m a rked witha l by crea ti v e re sult s
-
,

a lt o gether p a st c o u n tin g .

There mu st h a ve obt a in ed the n wha t the b ot a n ist , ,

S tra sburger c a lls orig in a l inn a te c a pa cities Of

’

( the bi o l o gi s t s ) livi n g s ub st a n ce n o t depe n de n t ,

o n s electi on The se a g a in c on cur wi th cre a tive

.
, ,

effort or c on structive a da pt a ti on t o e n vir on

men t P romi s e a n d poten ti a li ty
. a ss er ted o
f p r o P m i ,
”
ro se a n d

gfi gfi
’ ’ ty
top la sm i n thi s fas hi on cou ld n ot be r ep udi a ted a s fi
b
,

v er bi a g e We ourselve s kn o w wh a t p oten tia lity

.
i g v er a e '

bel on g s to ima gin in g An im a gin a l p ote n tia lity

.

in Na ture r e semble s my own im a gin ed p oten tia l

a cti on s which I e n tert a in a s s cheme s a n d which ,

ma y or ma y n ot t a ke sh a pe in further fa ct .

It i s imp o rt a n t t o a ll o w for the corrupti on of

“
etern ity in to c on flict s of l oo s e a gen t s a n d

ch a n c e ha ppen in gs foreign t o the in itia l World

-

Ide a Thereby we a r e en a ble d t o u n dersta n d much

.

1
An Ima gin al as we called i t Cf Cha p III Th e Imagi n al s
, . . . .

p
,

44 2 , a lso 3 9 2 -8
.
pp . .
 THE W ORLD AS IM A GIN ATION
Wh y th e sto r
y
which s t a rtle s a n d o ffe n ds us in the de s ignf ul story

o f cre a ti on There a r e m a n y in ven tio n s n ot decreed

.
,

P2 89 2 1m ‘

by the ch a ra cter of the u n corrupted World

a gi n i n g h a s
r un a mok . Idea but a ri s in g a s n ov elt l e s i n th a t Hera clel t a n
,

wa r Of l i fe f orm s i n whi ch i ma gi n i n g ru n s a mok

-
.

Ea ch specie s so lve s i t s pr oblem s m ore o r le ss effi

c i en t ly o r it w o uld n o t e n dure It s m a in e ffo rt in .

i t s struggle s i s t o win thro ugh Hen ce we c a nn ot .

expect t o be a lwa ys n o tin g va ri a ti on s which sa ti sfy

hum a n ae sthetic or ethic a l sta n da rds a n d ill u stra te , ,

a s old w orld a p ol o g ist s o ften tried t o m a ke out the

-
,

ben efic en ce of a n a ll -h oly D eity ! Ma n y va ri a ti on s

of o rg a n is m a n d in stin ct a r e repuls ive t o t h e l a st
degree They a re n ot in ven ti on s of a s up eri or
.

sen tien t bein g cert a inl y n ot of on e worth the title

,

Of G o d ; they bel on g t o a lowly s tr a tum Of the time

pro ce ss in which the primeva l su n derin g or opp os i

ti on o f a gen t s i s seen a t it s w orst S uch va ri a .

ti on s h owever a r e p a rt of the in evit a ble price o f

, ,
”
the c orrupti on of etern ity For the c orrupti on .
,

i n a b oli shin g the i n iti a l h a rm on y Of the World

Idea libera te s a gen t s which reta in the im a gin a l
,

i n iti a tive of their source An d im a gin in g in the .

“ ”
time proce ss in which they a re l oose seem s t o
-
, ,

h a ve r un in m a n y qu a rters a s we sa y li tera lly a m ok , , .

There c on flicts a t the birth of ch a n ge a n d

a re

througho ut i n orga n ic Na ture ; there a re c on flict s ,

a s b iol ogi st s h a ve s u spected i n the chr om a t in Of ,

germ cell s c on flicts between tis sue c ell s c on flict s

-
,
1 -
,

1
If ry t i
ev e f th rg i m w i t m i t
ssu e o e o t an s o es s a n en a n ce o

su ccess i g r
n a l t t f
en e a t ri m t t
c on es d w t fi
or n u d en , e c .
, o e no n

at lea st pr b bili ty th t i t w it ri gi
a o a a i i blo ll t es s o n as a v s e ce o a

simila r i
su ccess i mil rly g r l t t m g th i i ibl
n a S a en e a c on e s a on e nv s e

elemen t fr m whi h ti
s o ll c d l p d — R m
ssu e -ce s are ev e o e o a n es »

Exam .
f
o Wei sma nn i sm , p 13.9 .
 THE WORLD AS IM A GINATION
livi n g which it sub served a t fir st I ns tin cts a s .
,

well a s structure s c a n r u n in t o exce ss in this wa y

, .

Th e s exu a l a n d n utritive for i n st a n ce , .

Ju st a s a n in t a ct org a ni s m from Am oeb a to

Eleph a n t trie s experim e n t s so it ma y be th a t the ,

implicit org a ni sm of the germ cell trie s exper i -

—
me n t s which we c a ll va ri a ti on write t wo di s ”
,

t in gu i sh e d bi ol ogi st s 1
Thi s i s a n o t a ble m ove
.

t o wa rd th a t in iti a tive of which we sp oke O b serve .

th a t h a vin g pro duced ch a n ge s in on e direction

, ,

cre a tive in iti a tive frequen tly u se s th e m l a ter i n

a n o ther a s the further a n ce Of livin g requir e s
,
Thu s .

the electric org a n s o f c e rt a in eel s a r e a ltere d mu scl e

o f the N ile mu dfish a ltered gl a n ds o f the skin .

Al tered s eb a ce o u s gl a n ds yield a m i lk gl a n d ; -

’
a ltered a bd o min a l limb s the s pider s s pinn eret s ;

the a ltered ovip os itor o f worker bee s a n d quee n bee - -

a stin g a n d so o n
, Th e extra ordi n a ry in ven tive
.

n e ss s h o wn in s uch c a se s re n der s mech a n i stic bi ol o gy ,

t o th o s e n ot o b se ssed by the o ry dull re a din g ,

.

C on s ider the c a se of the m o dific a ti on of p a rt s Of

j a w-
st r u cture i n t o the m a ll e u s a n d in cu s

device a t the g a te Of the in n er e a r Is it believa ble .

th a t va ria ti on s a imin g a t n othin g c a n get so me

, ,

h ow piled o n the t op Of on e a n o th e r s o a s t o effe ct

this m o dific a ti on which is n ot pro duced but mere ly
, ,

f a vo ured by Na tura l Se lecti on

, Th e in iti a l st a ge
o f the v a ryin g w ould h a ve bee n u sele ss j u st a s i n

the c a se s of the origin o f the m ilk gla n d or stin g or -

, ,

Of the ch a n gin g of s erpe n t s teeth ( with their i m p li

’

c a t e d gla n ds ) i n t o f a n gs If t o remove this la st .

,

Obj ecti on it is den ied th a t the se va ri a tio n s were

,

l on g dra wn ou t s in ce the n ew o rga n s a ppea red

- -
,

1 rf
P o ess o s r G dd
e es a n d J A Th o mson , i n S ex,
. . p . 94 .
 ON S UPERHUM AN S ENTIEN TS AND C EATI ON 5 5 1 R
suddenl y a s muta tio n s then we ret ort th a t such ,

la bell in g i s n ot expl a in in g We c a n a ll rec a ll .

en ough L a tin t o kn o w th a t mut a re mea n s to

C ha n ge An d wh a t we wa n t t o kn ow i s n ot tha t a n ew
.
,

o rg a n i s the re sul t of ch a n gin g sl o w o r s udde n but , ,

the m a n n er in whi ch the sa id cha n gin g c a me a b out .

To sa y th a t a de vic e sh o win g purp os ive c o ordi n a

,
-

ti on Of the kin d we c a ll in ven tive origin a ted sudden ly ,

in mech a n ic a l Na ture i s t o sen d u s empty a wa y

, .

5 Th e
. verrulin g cre a tive in iti a tive of the World
o

System h a s t o a cc ept lower ini tia tives a n d ben d

them a s fa r a s ma y be t o i t s u se s Th e problem
, , .

of de s ign in o rg a n i sm s i s complic a ted a cc ordin gly .

It i s m ore formida ble yet when we con sider tha t O n cr e a t i v e

hum a n sen tien ts in terven e in directin g orga n ic

va ria ti on a n d th a t m a n y o rders of sen tien ts of
,
h um an l ee
v l“

m a n y gr a de s a b o ve the hum a n level ma y a lso

, ,

be co n cern e d with the proce ss A R Wa lla ce . . .

,

D a rwi n s c o exploiter of Na tura l S election wa s in

’
-
,

a , ,
—
f vour I u n dersta n d of thi s la st view h e wa s n o
frien d of the mech a ni st s a n d re a li sed h ow gre a t i s
,

the field for u n p er cei ved higher a gen cie s a t w ork in

Na ture a n d Hi story As Bra dl ey c on cedes freely
.
,

we c a n se t n o b ou n ds t o the exi sten ce a n d p owers

o f s en tie n t bei n g s Th e im a gin a l hyp othe s i s of
”
.

crea ti on ma y be de fective u nl e ss t h e in terven ti on ,

Of such a gen t s i s t a ken in t o a cc oun t a n d tre a ted

a s a t l e a s t pr ob a ble To p a rr o t crie s a b out the
.
-

in c on ceiva bili ty of superhum a n in terf e re n ce s

with Na ture I w ould o pp ose t he fo llowin g sa yin g
,

yet a ga in All Na ture is p sychic a l re a lity a ll

.
,

c a u sa l dyn a mic i s a p sychic a l dyn a mic I n ter .

fe re n ce s o n the p a rt o f s upe ri or p sychic a l a ge n t s

would be o f on e ti ssue with the n a tura l order it self .

 THE WOR L D AS IM AGIN ATION
Po ssible Obj ection s from the side of En ergetic s
h a ve been qu a shed i n a dva n ce .

Exempla r s. Th e likeli h ood ju st sta ted m ove s u s t o mo ot a

va ri a n t on the old belief i n Exempl a r s which vi sible
org a n ic b odi e s were sa id t o c opy with more or le ss
s ucce ss We h a ve got rid Of the time h on oured
.
-

e ssen ce which exi st s onl y for reflecti on But .

”

the belief in c on crete p a rticula r Ima gin a ls which ,

ma y guide the modifyi n g work of superi or sen tien t s ,

is n ot to be summ a rily di smi ssed ( cf pp 3 96 . .

C on sider the huma n b ody It compri se s in .

n umer a ble l o c a l i n iti a tive s it i s c ert a mly n ot a

fa ithful c opy of a n y im a gin a l a rchetype which pre
exi sted i n the World Ide a before the time proce ss
- -

bega n It i s in m a n y re spects in deed ugly a n d

.
, ,

s qu a lid a p a ss in g phen o men on peculi a r to thi s

,

pla n et a sta ge in a serie s of f orms wh o se a n ce stry

i n cluded the t wo l a yered dige stive tube of the
-

c oelen tera te s a n d which i s r o oted so t o spe a k in the

, , ,

a by ss . Th e hum a n org a ni sm wa s evolved pr ox i

m a tely scie n ce tell s u s out of a pithec oid s p e cie s of
, ,

m a mm a l Th e first m a mm a l s a ga in a ppea r t o h a ve
.
, ,

been humble cre a ture s evolved o u t of r e ptil es in the

,

very sh a d ow Of men a cin g sa uri a n s a n d di spla yin g ,

n o o utw a rd s ig n s Of the fut u re i n s t ore for their

de scen d a n t s But their k in ds e n dured a n d grew

.

in v a riety a n d c o mplexity a fter the r e ptile s h a d

cea sed t o rule An d some of them gettin g o n their
.
,

h in d leg s a n d h a vin g their f ore limb s freed for u se

- -

a s a r ms — a gi a n t s ucce ss— bec a me u sers of t ools ,

a n d with th a t the gre a t vict ory o ver c o mpetit or s

wa s won Flyin g crea ture s la ckin g a rm s were

.
, ,

c on demn ed to a humble future They c o uld d o dge .

 THE WORLD AS IM AG IN ATION

v e llou s ,
but n ot perf ect in ven ti on s It wa s evolved
, .

ten t a tively ,
a n d le a ves much still t o be de s ired .

L ike experime n t s ma y h a ve pla yed a p a rt in the

hi st ory of a n im a l s which pro mi sed t o be of u se t o
future m a n kin d such exp e rimen t s i nfluen ci n g the
—

g er m p l
-
a s m a
,
n d whe n
, r a tifi e d by N a tur a l S elec
ti on perme a tin g a K i n d Th e hi st ory of the h or se
,
.
,

fr o m the s h o rt legged fiv e t oed qu a druped of e a rly

-
,
-

Eo cen e time s t o the fin e be a s t d o me stic a ted by

ma n m a y furn i sh a n in st a n ce in p oin t
, Acc ordin g .

t o D r Ma tth e w rec ord in g the te stim on y o f the

,

Americ a n Terti a ry beds twelve sta ge s h a ve bee n

,

rec ogn i sed fro m a s m a n y succe ss ive form a ti on s ,

s h o wi n g the gr a du a l ev o luti on o f the r a ce i n t o i t s

m o dern f orm ; a n d e a ch s ta ge i s ch a ra ct e ri stic of

it s p a rtic ul a r ge ol ogic a l h o riz on Muta ti on s.
”
,
”

directed by the o ver seers c ould be m ooted Thi s

, .

is a sugge sti on a n d little m ore Verific a ti on of it .

i s beyon d pre se n t hum a n c a p a city But a g a i n .

, ,

if there exi st s uperi o r s en tien t s a ble t o OO Oper a te

,
-

with pla n eta ry evoluti on thin gs of th is so rt a r e

,

a t le a s t highly p rbba ble .

P ur p os i v e S ever l ch a ra cters a ppe a rin g simult a n e o u sly in

a
mu ta t i on s .

—
m a n y members o f a specie s gen uin e muta ti on s
o th e r th a n wh a t u n a ided N a ture wa s t o c on struct
-
a re thu s thin ka bl e Muta tion s tra n sform
.
,
”

i n g m ore or le ss s uddenl y p i theca n throp us a la lus

a n d the h o r s e a n ce st or s o f the s ever a l ge o l o gic a l
-

f orm a tion s might h a ve o ccurred An d the su spi

,
.

ci on gro ws th a t a like very gra du a l m o dific a ti on

ma y be in progre ss still th ough me a n s o f tra ci n g
,

it t o it s s ource or source s mu st be la ckin g Thi s .

is on e of those c on ten ti on s which elude verific a ti on

 M ECHAN ISTS IN D IFF ICU LTIE S

and mu st be greeted with c a uti on but which on ce , ,

ha rb oured return a ga in a n d a ga in t o h old our

,

in terest .

6 We will cl ose thi s ch a pter by in di c a tin g a

.

fe w qu a rt ers i n which the b a nk ruptcy Of mech a n i stic

bi ol ogy ca n be descried e a sily by those rou sed fro m
their d ogm a tic slumber To dwell on the se diffi .

c ult i e s i s t o in cr e a s e them .

( )
1 Th e s n i gula r utili sa ti on of the Ca rb on R a dic a ls .
Q ua r t er s in
W h i ch t h e
1 1
3)
Th d
0 o

t t
me ch a n i st i c
ch a ra cter s ben t t o the u ses Of the qu a s1 purpos1v e b i l
, a re
o o ( an
gy P
m; w h l
”
the C t m h h
O

s en ts b i d e e sc r l e
o ga n
r l s a o s . l c a r,e p y c i ca a g {
ly
In de fimt ely a m on g them ( 1) Ut i li ti
e a s1
c o mbm l n g
.

or exi sten ts
f th C b
, sa on

There a re pr o R di l
o e ar on
s elve s ,
de spl t e t h e l r S l m fla r l ty .
a ca s ,

v ide d thu s C c o mp ou n ds
. or a ss oci a ti on s of

a s t o n i sh i n g c o mplexity a n d va riety s ervin g a s ,

rel a tive ly sta ble core s o f a sso cia ti on s or in te gra

ti on s of yet m ore c o mplex sort s S in c e a ll chemic a l .

a ss oci a ti on in clude s tr a n sf o rm a ti on the field s ecure d ,

for cre a ti on i s c orre sp on din gly gre a t .

In
’
di scu ssin g the ( bi ol ogists ) o rga n is m it is ,

a lwa ys n ec e ssa ry t o rec a ll th a t the m a teria l s

Of which a s the phra se g oe s it i s built up a r e them
, , ,

s elve s a live O rga n ic e volution on ly c omplic a te s O g

.
r a n ic

the pre exi stin g sta ge Of lif e When there fore

-
.
,

we a sk wh e the r the orga n i sm is a vit a l wh ole a n d li f

,

e
,

n ot a n a ggreg a te we ought t o me a n thi s Is it

, .

mer ely a su m o f mi nor li v es ? O r is it a lso a life

which ben ds the se m in or live s t o it s u se s

There is no c a ll wha tever for the supp os itio n o f

a regula tive Vita l Force .
”
Force is a term
 THE WORL D G
AS IM A IN ATION

th a t a dds n othin g to our c on crete kn owledge Of

a n ythin g If it h a s a me a n in g in the pre se n t di s
.

c u s s i on it st a n d s for the
, unkn o wn c a u se Of
vit a l ch a n ge ( ju st a s in mech a ni c s Force u sed
frequen tly t o st a n d for the u n kn o wn c a u se of
m otion ) An d such a mea n in g serve s n o purp os e
.

o f o ur s here For if it be urged th a t this

.
, un

k n o wn c a u se i s a t a n y r a te a s p eci a l a ge n cy
, , ,

then we reply ( a ) th a t a n u n kn own speci a l

a ge n cy elucid a te s n o thin g a n d ( b) th a t the m a in ,

fa ct before u s in org a n ic l ife is n ot a n ythin g

a ct i n g a n d a cted on by o ther
”
S peci a l , s peci a l ,

a ge n cie s but a qua s i p ur p os i v e u n ity o f system

,
-
,

i n which a ll S peci a l a ge n cie s a r e sub ordin a ted

a n d be n t t o a n o verrulin g e n d or e n d s .

A p sychic a lly ordered wh ole is i n tell igible

-
. N o thin g
el se .

(2 ) Th e s t o yr ( )
2 Th e the Cell a s t old by E B Wil son
s tory Of . .

o f t h e Ce ll
.

and other s a verit a ble r om a n ce Mech a n i sts .

u sed t o rega rd pr ot opl a s m a n d cell s very much a s

a c oo k d o e s jell y a n d bit s of j elly viz a s thin g s , .

so s imple th a t on e d o e s n ot requir e t o l o ok clo sely

a t them Th e st o ry Of the C e ll h a s bee n a r a re

.

di sill u si on men t for such f olk A dista n t city on a .

hill l ook s very sirnple Whe n you re a ch a n d expl ore .

it y our fe eli n g of a dequ a cy t o i t s pr oblem a b a te s

,
.

S O with the mech a ni st s c onf r on ted with the a m a zin g ,

c o mplic a ti ons Of the Cell As th e y l ook m ore cl osely .

,

they get t o re a lis e th a t the Cell i s like our city when

a ctu a lly re ched
a — t oo c o mplex for their c on v en i
en ce But there is a n a ddi ti on a l c on sidera ti on
.

n eedin g emph a s i s Th e city ta ke n a s a c ollecti on

.
,

o f bu ildin g s ca n be perceived bit by bit with

,
 THE W OR L D AS IM A GINATION
meeti n g the c a ll of cir cum sta n ce s n ot ben din g t o ,

them Th e stuff a n d it s selective a cti on s on differen t

.

a rteri a l mu s cul a r ti s sue s a t the sa me time in o rd e r ,

t o t h e a chievin g o f a c o mplic a ted gr o up of c on S p ir

i n g effect s c o uld on ly be a ttributed t o bl in d va ri a
,

ti on s fix ed by Na tura l Selecti on if men a r e re a dy

, ,

t o decl a re th a t blin d va ri a ti on s w ork a s wi sely a s

th ose di rected t o en ds Blin d va ria tion s s l owly .
,

a ccumul a tin g c ould n ot even begin the devel o p

,

men t of thi s sel e ctively a ctin g s tuff A blin d .

muta ti on of thi s ki n d suddenl y a ppe a rin g , ,

w ould riva l a n y m ira cle of the p opul a r fa ith s .

Aga i n direct a cti on Of the e n vir on men t on the

,

org a n ism o verl ooks the re sp on se of the orga n i sm ,

which retort s with thi s grea t triumph .

( )
7 Th e kidn eys a n d the phen o men a of bre a th
in g Th e a ston i shi n g delic a cy a n d preci s i on of the
.

a cti on i n the s e qu a rter s in the circum s ta n ce s t o ,

be met outru n a s D r J S H a lda n e h a s sh o wn

, , . .
,

mecha n i stic expla n a tio n .

( )
8 Th e evolution Of se xu a l repr oducti on .

Embryol ogy .

These l a rge fields a n d a tten ti on i s directed

a re ,

t o them m a in ly t o sugge st th a t they sh ould be

’
s tudied with the mech a n i st s difficultie s in full
View 1 S exu a l reproducti on which is hera lded in
.
,

1 Di fficulti es , e .
g.
, of t h e ty p e a dv a n c ed by P r f rMK d i k
o esso
‘
en r c

wh h writ
en f h m
e f tl es t hu s O u an oe a gr wth o Ti :ft r ssu e a e

ti d rg
ssu e a n ft r rg f rm d
o an a e o a n a re o e not i d fi it
n a rd r e n e o e as

r g rd tim b t t mp r
e a s ly
e u c on e o a n e ou s , as ifme ki n d of di r ecti ve
so

a gency were a t wor k There a r e even exa mp les of somethi n g li ke

r
.

for ekn ow ledge i n the bui ldi n g u p of the foetus S t o es of glyc ogen .

p
a re su pli ed for t he n u t i ti on of e m yon i c tissu es r I on i s br . r
 HEREDIT Y
the p a rt ia l a n d tempora ry c on juga ti on s th a t
ta ke pla ce even a m on g a m oebae with e xch a n ge of ,

chro ma tin i s a t a l e of ma n y device s a n d in ven ti on s

,
.

Th e s exu a l in stin ct in i t s cru di ty a n d a s met a m or

,

p h o s e d by t h e v e ry c o mple x em oti on l o ve will b e , ,

c on s ide re d in t h e n ext volume .

Heredity in t h e c a se of sexu a lly repr o duced H

, er edi ty .

o rg a n i s m s will n ot di sm a y th o s e wh o a r e f o ll o w in g
,

ou r hyp othe s e s It i s the cons er va ti v e s ide Of t he

.

gr owin g Of the fertil is ed c e ll in t o the c omplete

o rg a n is m We rec a ll th a t the germ pl a s m Of e a ch
.
-

ga mete is a p sychic a l c omplex with p sychic a l dis ,

p ositi on s which ten ds t o repe a t a previ ou s wa y of

,

growin g Of germ pla sm with which it is c on tin u ou s

-
.

Thi s c on s erv a tive s ide Of germ pl a sm m a ke s litera lly -

”
for r e pr o ducti on
-
But there ca n n ever be a
.

”
fa ithful re pr o ducti o n
-
a s c on serv a ti o n a lw a y s
,

c on curs in the time proce ss with cre a ti on a n d

,
-
, ,

n othi n g eve n the germ pl a s m ( which in a purp os ive

,
-

w orld h a s t o be rel a tively st a bl e ) persi sts u n a ltere d , .

Th e germ pla s m i s ch a n ge d by it s o wn hi st o ry a s
-

it re sp on ds cre a tively t o e ver n ove l in tra a n d extra

o rg a n ic c on di ti o n s trie s experimen ts a s Gedde s ”
,

a n d Th o m s on h a ve sa id .

Th e gr owt h Of the fertili se d cell in to the c om

p le te o rg a ni s m i s the n a t on ce a conser va ti v e r e
, ,

i ma gi n i ng pr oce ss i n which c on t e n t s ten d t o bec o m e

,

wha t c on ten t s h a ve bec ome before a n d a cr ea ti v e ,

i ma gi n i n g i n which n ovelty o ccur s .

c olle cted i n t he b od y of r bl d th e f oe tu s, fr o m t h e moth e ’

s oo so

b d f t hi m t l ll i m p rt t f l p
,

th t
a an a un a n ce o th d s e a , a o an or e ev e o

m t f d bl d rp
en o re l i f
oo co d i th wly b r wh i
us c es , s ou n n e ne - o n en n

the ne w di ti
c on f i t it i
on ri h d by milk whi h
o e x s e n ce s nou s e c

t i ly
con a n s o n m ll pply f ir
a s a su o on .
”
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

Th efu sion of two g a metes is a s itu a ti on Of furt her

a n ce a n d thwa rtin g s uch a s we h a ve di s cu ssed ,

befo re . Th e prin ciple of cre a ti on i s ill u stra ted

o n ce m ore Th e tr a n sf orm a ti on s cre a ted brin g a
.

cert a in h a rmo n y t o a n t a g on is in g ten den cie s which

a r e c on fluen t a n d yet in c o mp a tible On e group Of .

ten den cie s th ough m o dified will domin a te D eta il s

, , .

a re a v a il a ble by f o ll o wi n g up clue s s uch a s a r e n o w

furni shed by s cie n ce 1

We a r e in dic a tin g onl y very
.

gen era l fe a ture s Of releva n ce t o meta phys ic s .

A the ory Of fertili sa ti on c a n be mo oted i e a ,

. .

theory Of why the u n i on of sperm cell a n d o vum -

sta rt s the reproductive proce ss I le a ve it to th o se .

wh o h a ve foll owed the se l a st eight ch a pters pa rt i cu ,

la rly Ch a pter IV with in tere st Fu sed a ctivities

.
, .

con sp ire t o a speci a l crea tive a ppuls e .

( 9 ) In s ti n c t .
( )
9 In sti n ct .

In st in ct brin gs u s in to the re a lm of a n im a l a n d
hum a n p sych ol ogy a n d is therefore m ore a ppro , , ,

r i a t el di scu ss ed in the n ext v olume But it h

p y a s .

been c on n ected very cl osely with o rg a n ic life .

Thu s Berg s o n sa ys th a t it o n ly c a rrie s o u t further

the w ork by which lif e o rga ni se s m a tter the
i n stin ct th a t a n im a te s the bee is in distin gui sh a ble
fr o m the fo rce which a n im a te s the cell o r ,

i s on ly a pr olo n g a ti on o f th a t f orc e In extreme .

c a se s like this in stin ct c o in cide s with the wo rk

,

Of o rg a n i sa tio n
2
S ome Ob serva tion s a ccordin gly
.
”
, ,

a re perm i s s ible a t thi s s t a ge .

1
Th e r p rh p p y hi l h r di ty th r th th t
e i s, e a s, a s c ca e e , o e an a

con v e y d e by t h g rm p l m
e t be i d-r d b t
as f t h t I
, y o e con s e e , u o a sa

no thi g h r
n It i i g r d by
e e. srr t i no e b t will b di cu en s c e n c e, u e s

cu sse d fr ly iee d l m
n ou r secon vo u e .

2
C reati E l vei E gli h t r
vo u t on , l t i pp 1 7
n4 —
5 s a ns a on , . .
5 62 THE WORLD AS IMAGIN ATION

a gen t s much a s we do Wh a t expl a n a ti on . of

in stin ct a pplie s in the se c a ses

I n stin cts we mu st rec a ll a re of gre a t va riety ;

, ,

s uch a s Ber gson s c a s e o f the S p hex

’
a n d if s o me , ,

le n d them selve s t o a n expla n a ti on by telep a thy

the a ni m a l divin in g the s itu a ti on it h a s t o fa ce
at a di sta n ce — Others a r e n ot so a men a ble .

Th e pug turn in g r ou n d a n d r ou n d bef ore s ettli n g

do wn on the rug ill u stra te s a n in stin ctive wa y Of
a ct in g , n o l on g e r h o wever a da ptive I n stin ctive
, , .

a cti on s , i n s uita ble a n d uns u i ta ble surr o un din g s

a like s eem t o o ccur l a rgely bec a u se s imil a r a cti on s
,

o ccurred i n the life Of the s pecie s bef ore The mis .

a pplic a ti on s a n d di st orti on s o f in s tin ct s a s we kn o w , ,

a r e n umer o u s .A g ood c a s e o f di storti on i s the

f oll owin g
Ma n y youn g cra b s e g Of St en orhyn c h u s a re
, . .
, ,

i nf e st e d by o ther cru st a ce a n s of t h e fa mily Bo py

ridec which bec ome m a ture a t the time when th e ir
,

h osts sh ould a l so be m a ture But the g on a d s o f .

t h e cra b h a ve been de str oyed by t h e p a ra s ite a n d

a rem a rk a ble ch a n ge h a s bee n br o ught a b out If .

the cra b be a m a l e it exhibit s some of the st r uc

,

tura l fe a ture s of a fem a le it l os e s it s m a sculin e ,

impul se a n d it a ctua lly defen ds i ts pa ra si te a s a

f em a le does h er eggs the p a,r a s ite pr otrudin g on the
out side Of the ta il ju st where a fe m a le cra b c a rrie s
her egg s It u sed t o be rem a rked a s very curi ou s
.

th a t o nl y fe m a le cra b s were a tta cked but Gia rd ,

sh o wed th a t m a n y o f the a pp a re n t fem a le s w e re

p a ra sitised m a les If t he victim be a fe m a l e the re

.
,

i s n o ch a n ge o f i n sti n ct excep t tha t s he cher i s hes the

,

i d f
o eggs which a re a b s e n t
”

p a r a s i te n s tea 1
.

1
G dde es a n d Thoms on , S ex, pp . 8 3—4 .
 INS TIN CT
’
Th e kn owledge a t a di sta n ce o f Be r gs on s

i n stin ctu a l in sight seems certa in ly defective here .

N o w s eein g th a t i n sti n ct
,
pr ol on gs the orga n ic A th
i i ns
e ory o f
n c’
lif e in t o th a t Of the chi ef s en tien t a llied with it ,

wha t i s the c ompreh en s ive kin d of expl a n a ti on

in dic a ted ? It i s th a t t h e c on se rva tive a n d cre a
tive i ma gi n a l lif e of the orga n ism i s prol on g e d thu s .

Th e mere ly c on serva tive S ide c o ver s a ll degree s Of

h a bitu a l or c on sta n t a cti on us efu l us eless or even
, , ,

n oxi ous t o the b ody ; c over s a ll i n herited wa ys of

b e h a vin g which repea t prior wa ys origin a lly a t ,

a n y ra te o f n o vel o r cr e a tive type a n d o f w o rth

,

t o the specie s Th e m o re this merely co n serva tive

.

beh a vi our d omin a t es in a n a n im a l the m ore lia ble ,

is the in stin ct which prol on gs the org a n i sm t o

fu n cti on irrele va n tly or len d it self t o di stortion .

Cre a tive ima gin in g brin g s t h e required pla sticity

i n t o in stin ct a s i s se en ve ry Obviou sly in the c a se s
,

o f hum a n s e n tien t s wh o in o bey in g in stin ct h a ve

, ,

u sua ll y t o i mp rov i s e their beha viour to a gre a t

exte n t .

D e
o s kn o wle dge a t a di st a n ce cha ra cterise
in stin ct or d oe s cre a tive ima gin in g supply a more
,

“
us eful sub stitute ? If the S p hex a t a dist a n ce
, ,
”

wa s a wa re of t oo much of the cricket in clu di n g it s ,

p a n g s it might n ot stin g a t a ll ! Its kn o wledge

,

—
would h a ve t o be limited by wh a t mea n s i s n ot
cl ea r O therwise t h e S phex fa mily would h a ve t o
.

g o o n s h o rt c o mm o n s ; M a da m e S p hex declin i n g
t o fill t h e la rde r a t t h e pric e a sked .

In a p sychic a l un iverse in which the diffe re n t

 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION
a gen ts a r e a ll
pe n etra ted by much el se though ,

a s we sa w by a ll el se a sen tie n t a lwa ys ”

n ot , , ,

a wa r es c on te n t s which a r e c ol oured by co n te n t s o f

s e n tien t live s bey on d it s elf SO th a t in thi s se n se

.
, ,

”
there Obta in s u n iver sa l telepa thy But a n im a l
m
.

a n d hum a n s e n tie n t s cert a do n ot a lwa ys meet

directly ; in fa ct in m ost c a se s ex a min a bl e by u s
,

they a r e clea rly rel a ted medi a tely a n d wh a t c ome s ,

t o on e fr o m a n other h a s been a ltered by the

medi a p a ssed through on the j o urn ey Th e l over .

i s n ot d irectly a wa re o f the experie n c e s of the

bel oved th ough he sees her soul medi a tely in the
,

ra pture vi sible a s we sa y on her f a ce I a m n ot

, , .

directly a wa re o f the per son wh o tel e gra ph s t o me

fro m I n dia th ough I c a n im a gin e a g oo d de a l a b out
,

him Con sider n ow the in stin ct ( c on serva tive a cti on )

.

o f the s t oa t wh o n ip s a r a bbit ve ry cleverly j u s t a t

the right pl a ce behin d the e a r Th e st o a t m odifie s .

( cre a tively ) thi s i n herited wa y Of a ctin g t o suit the

circum st a n ce s of t h e p a rtic ul a r n e w ra bbit hu n ted .

But c a n we sa y th a t thi s a cti on depen ds on kn o w

of the r a bbit s a rteri a l a n d
’
ledge a t a di sta n ce
ven ou s system If a dummy ra bbit l ookin g a n d ,

s mellin g ex a ctly like a re a l ra bbit could be m a de ,

t o ru n bef ore the s t oa t w oul d it n ot be n ipped in

,

the sa me pl a ce a s a re o thers Is it n ot the ordin a ry

vi sible o uter f orm of the ra bbit which c a ll s the
i n stin ctive a cti on i n t o pla y

There m a n y c a se s rec orded in the a nn a l s of

a re
”
telep a thy of rel a ti on s between hum a n sen tie n t s
, ,

wh os e b odi es were s ep a r a ted by hun dred s of mile s

a n d wh o s e c o mmu ni c a ti on wa s n ot m e di a ted in
a n y wa y k n ow n t o s cie n ce But even i n the se .

c a se s we do n ot kn o w a n d theref ore mu st n ot sa y
, ,
 CHAP TER IX

FRI S T S TE P S T OWA RD A SO LU N TIO OF T HE R D D LE

I

OF E VL I

A fi n alist c on ce pti f th
on o e w rld dmit
o a s of n o exce pti on s,

a nd has to ex pl i a n ev e rythi g n a cco rdi g t it

n o s own pri ipl nc es .
”

Pr f R B o . I OT .

1 . G OD ,
write s Hegel in l a n gu a ge e a s ily ,

m isun der st o o d by pl a in men un a wa re of wh a t he ,

”
mea n s by the w ord G od g ove rn s the w orld ; ,

—
the a ctu a l workin g of His g overn men t the c a rry
—
in g ou t Of His pl a n i s the h istory of the world 1
.
”

An d a g a in , Th a t the his tory of the w orld

,
is
the pr oc e ss of develo pmen t a n d the re a lisa ti on of
S p irit— this i s the true Theo di caea the justific a ti on ,

Of Go d in his t ory O nl y thi s in sight c a n rec on cil e

.

S pirit with the history Of the world viz th a t — .

,

wh a t h a s h a ppen ed a n d i s h a ppen in g every da y i s ,

n ot with out God but i s e ssen ti a ll y His Work ,

’ 2
.
”

Wh a t wa s in ten ded by etern a l wi sdo m i s a ctu a lly ,

a cc o mplis hed in the d om a in of e xi ste n t a ctive ,

S pirit a s well a s in tha t of me re Na ture

,
3
Go d .
”

a n d N a ture a r e n ot a t str i fe for thi s view w o uld ,

imply th a t God is fi n ite N ow H e gel s God— t h e .

’

I D EA— i s n ot o f c ours e a muta ble person with a

, ,

hi st ory a n d H egel s phil osophic a l Chri sti a n ity would

,
’

1
P hi losop hy of Hi story Sibree ’
s t r a n sla ti o n , p 38
p p
. .
,
3
2
Ibi d , . 4 77 . . Ibi d ,
. . 16 .
 G
HE EL ON THE GREAT P LAN
lea ve the pl a in ma n c oul d he u n dersta n d it c old
, , .

But Hegel s a ttitude here a gree s verb a lly a t le a st

’

with tha t of Chri sti a n mystic s a n d mo st the ol ogia n s

i n m a in ta in in g th a t G od i s m a n ife s ted in the hi st o ry
o f the w orld a n d th a t Hi s pla n of ev olutio n reve a led
,

therein ca n be justified .

Go d word with m a n y me a n in gs We
is a .

a r e quite cle a r a s t o wh a t it s igni fie s for u s 1

We .

a r e m ore o r le ss cle a r a s t o wh a t it s ign ified for

Hegel We a re sure th a t it a rou se s very di fferen t

.

ide a s In di fferen t Hin du s P a rsees Chri stia n s a n d , , ,

Ma h ome da n s a cc ordin g t o the in tellectua l levels of

th ose m a kin g u se of it we fin d th a t some of the se
idea s a re a rre stin g a n d very m a n y excee di n gly
,

p oor There i s a sort of c on ven tio n which decrees

.

th a t every on e wh o u se s the word God — Hegel ,

Mi ll S purge on a child in the n ursery a n d a c on

, , ,

verted Fuegi a n for in st a n ce— i s c a ll in g ou r a tt en

,

ti on t o the s a me ide a Which is quite a b surd . .

But n ot t o wa ste time o ver thi s m a tter let u s

, ,

s uppo s e th a t a ll the s e f olk ( our s elve s excluded )

me a n t h e sa me ide a th a t they believe in the sa me
God a s so vereign of the w orld ; All c on ten d th e n , ,
’
tha t G od s pl a n ca n be ju stified They h old .

th a t a ll s right with the world s in ce God a s

’
, ,

Brown in g decl a res i s in His he a ven , .

Thi s might seem a right r oya l meth od of dea lin g Th pl e

“
an

with the problem of evil But there a re th os e wh o p bj ffi .

ro , of
“ Vl
de n y tha t the pla n c a n be ju stified in a e I

wa y sa t is fa ct ory t o the fin ite b e in g s wh o m it c on

cern s An d a fter a ll thi s is the m a tter Of chief
.
, ,

import a n ce t o o urselve s Wha t sh a ll it pr ofit u s .

1
Cha p VI 3 . . .
 THE WOR L D AS IM AGIN ATION
th a t the Ab solute in s ome u n in telligible m a nn er
, ,
“
is perfect or th a t God i s in Hi s he a ven if we a n d
,
”
,

o ther fin ite s e n tie n t s live in a n u n sa ti s fa ct o ry w orld

a n d h a ve n o c on sol a tory pr o spect s w o rth c on s iderin g ?

Th e problem of evil therefore mu st be solved , ,

in a m a n n er which con templ a te s n ot onl y the ,

All highe s t
-
Hegeli a n or other God but a lso ,

the in tere st s of in dividu a ls such a s you a n d even ,

the m a n y humble a n im a l sen tien ts tha t a r e t oo

o fte n ign ored Wh a tever epithet s ma y be sh owered
.

on G o d in Hi s he a ve n it i s e ss en ti a l th a t the
, pla n
does n ot lea ve the s e in di vidu a ls out side it s scope .

Evil , as we sh a ll bel on gs t o the time pr oce ss

s ee , -
.

To s olve its pr oblem we mu s t u n dersta n d a de

q u a t e ly thi s pr o ce s s a n d the di recti o n whither it
le a d s Th e problem h a s been c on sidered by m a n y
.

think ers in soluble a n d by others lik e S ch open ha uer

, , ,

t o in di c a te th a t Ul tim a te Re a lity is n ot s uch a s

ought to comma n d ou r tr us t An d their c on t e n .

ti on s a r e n ot t o be di sp osed of a ir ily by p oet s wh o

s e e in Na ture the livin g g a rmen t of God or by ”
,

a pologi st s wh o fin d it the mirr or of the Almighty ”

1
.

For the s ta in s on the g a rmen t a r e m a n y a n d

the mirr or reflect s a b omin a ti on s whi ch onl y
fa ith ca n ign ore A gre a t world religion of the
.
-

Ea st Buddhis m in si st s th a t the time pr o ce ss i s

, ,
-

s a tur a ted with p a in There is to da y even in .

-
,

Eur ope a n d Americ a a l a rge b o dy of o p in i on which

,

d oubt s whether c on sciou s lif e re a p s va lue s such a s

c ompen sa te for it s ill s How a r e we t o still thi s .

u nr e st which da rken s th ought As sure dl y n ot by

preten din g th a t a ll i s well Very much i s o bvi ou sly .

1
Sir O Lodge
.
, M a n a nd the Un i v erse p 2 3 1 , . .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
a p a ssin g fe a ture of the time proce ss Th e s olu -
.

ti on of the problem of evil doe s n ot lie in a n a s se r

tion th a t evil doe s n ot exist Whil e w ords a r e .

bein g pil ed on words evil a n swers the fa n a tic by ,

do in g the onl y thin g th a t c ould be d on e t o m a n if e st

—
it s re a lity i t a ppe a rs within sen tien t expe rien ce .

2 . Con fin in g
urs elve s to the lots Of a n im a l
o

an d hum a n s e n tie n t s let us a sk fir st h ow the ,

a n i m a ls f a re a n d Ob serve s ome thin g s which G o d s

’

etern a l wis dom i s a ctu a lly a cc o mplis hin g in

the h istory Of the w orld Ta ke n ote in ciden ta ll y .
, ,

tha t we a r e n ot in Hegel s pre di c a men t s in ce for ’

G od
”
us me a n s a n ex a lted but fini te P ower , ,

which doe s n ot sh oul der the en t ire burden of cre a

ti on a P ower very wi se very be n eficen t a n d very , ,

s tr on g but limited by c on di ti on s which it di d n ot

,

m a ke 1
. There ma y be s imil a r Po wer s in n umer a ble
a lli ed with o ther World S y stem s n o n e t o be re -
,

g a rded a s the source s of a ll the phenomen a which

their S y stems in clude .

There is ha ppy side to a ni m a l lif e which n o on e

a

will overlo ok But the a b omi n a ti on s c on n ected

.

with it a r e legi on The struggle t o ea t a n d t o

.

dodge e a ters which h a s forced the a n ima l t o bec ome

, ,

in the m a in so m ob ile h a s f orced a lso the crea

, ,

ti on Of i t s m ost forbiddin g f orm s a n d qu a litie s .

O n ce it is a rule th a t a n im a ls sh ould over multiply -

and c o mpete for s ub s i sten ce the pro ducti on of ,

evils u n t old i s in ciden t a l t o the bu sin e ss An d .

s ucce ss i n the fra y is prim a rily a m a sterin g Of

c ircum sta n ce s n ot a n in evita ble pro gre ss in which
,

l overs Of be a uty da wn in g in telligen ce or phys ic a l

,

1
Cha p VI 3 God . .
, .
 ANIM A L S U FF ERING AN D THE P LAN 57 1

excell en ce might t a ke j oy Thu s b a cteri a l a n d .

proto zo a n cre a ture s in n umera ble inf e st superi or

form s ra idin g t h e vert e bra te s freely a n d se n din g
s c o re s of s pecie s t o a ssa il Ma n As to n i shin g multi .

plic a ti on a n d a s a ston ishin g device s t o secure their

,

footin g a r e met with Their equipmen t in rega rd

, .
,

o f the s uperi o r f orm s i s a n ela bora ti on Of p a in

,

brin gin g mi s chief This evolution a ry ri o t ign o re s

.

ethic s ; the preda to ry specie s fl ourish a s if in

deri si on of m ora l m a x im s An im a ls a t fir st in .
,

dis t in gui sh a ble fr o m vegeta ble s devour them a n d ,

e n j o y a fa r richer life An ima ls th a t e a t other .

a n im a ls a r e n e a rly a lwa ys superi or n ot o nl y in ,

s tre n gth a n d gr a ce a n d a gili ty but i n in telli ge n ce

”
1
.

Violen ce succeeds well with the tiger wolf a n d , ,

s t oa t ,whil e the sheep a n tel ope a n d ra bbit a r e , ,

Th e ra bbit s hist ory is

’
s l a ughtered i n h orde s .

w o rth study by th ose wh o believe in m ora l cre a

ti on on thi s level But there i s n o l a ck of pictures
.

in the ga ll e ry Humb oldt s a cc oun t of the mi serie s ’

.

o f the wild h o r se s in the O rin o c o b a s in is rivetin g

de scribin g in deed a terre stri a l hell The odore

, ,
.

R oosevelt wr itin g of h is m a rch

, Through the
Bra zili a n wildern e s s tells u s in the stra ightforwa rd
,
”

m a n n er for which a ll re spect him th a t ,

In the se f ore sts the m ul titude Of in sect s tha t

bite stin g devour a n d prey on other cre a ture s
, , , ,

Ofte n with a cc ompa n imen ts of a trociou s su fferin g ,

p a sse s belief Th e very pa thetic myth s of ben e

.

fic en t Na ture c ould n ot deceive eve n the le a st

wis e bein g if he on ce sa w for him self the ir on cru elty
o f life in the tr o pic s O f c ourse Na ture — in .
,

1
Ca rv eth Read , The M eta physi cs o
f N a ture, 2 nd cd .
,
 THE W ORLD AS IM A GINATION
c ommon p a rl a n ce a wholly in a ccur a te term by the ,

wa y e speci a lly when u sed t o expre ss a s in gle en tity

,

—i s e n tirely ruthle ss n o le ss so a s reg a r ds type s

,

th a n a s rega rd s in di vidu a ls a n d en tirely in differen t ,

t o g oo d or evil a n d w o rks ou t her e n ds or n o en d s

,

with utter di sreg a rd of p a in a n d woe .

”

A d a m ni n g i n dictmen t Of the pla n i s it n ot , ,

if this pla n i s t o c o ver a ll the field An d yet ,

de spite the l on g m a rtyrdom Of a n im a l s wh a t do ,

we see Th a t a s Berg s o n p o in t s ou t t wo of the

, ,
“
f our m a in directi on s of a n im a l lif e h a ve led to
bli n d a lleys while in the c a se of the other two
, ,

the e ffort h a s been gen era lly out Of prop orti on t o

Th ose wh o a ccl a i m r a ptur o u sly the
”
the re sult 1
.

pl a n mu st be m ore e a sil y m o ved t o en thu si a sm

th a n we For the truth i s th a t de spite the p a in s
.
,

in flicted so l a vis hly in a ll qu a rters de spite the ruth ,

le ss sa va gery th a t m a rk s a ni m a l evoluti on succe ss , ,

full a n d complete h a s n ot been a tt a ined

,
.

Th e pl a n n ot o n ly di sa ppo in t s u s ; it h a s
a dded e n ormitie s t o it s f a ilur e s There a r e the .

i n stin ct s of the butcher b i rd which imp a les sm a ll -

mice beetle s etc on th orn s for it s la rder ; of

, , .
,

p a rrot s which te a r kidn eys o u t of the livin g sheep ,

o f wa sp s which la y egg s in c a terpill a r s a n d s pider s ,

p a ra lys in g them with a ra re preci si on t o pr ovide

me a t for the l a rvae Th e di a b oli sm sh own here i s
.

surp a ss ed o nl y by the crime s of the w o r s t vivi

s ect or s ; a n d the g a ll ery o f a ll e ged divin e a ccom

p lis h m e n t c on t a in s m a n y c o mp a n i on picture s .

Th e buck S l o wly w orn down by wild d og s or the ,

m oose by wolve s the buffa l o which h a s t o st a n d

,

1
Crea ti ve Evolu ti on , Engli sh t r a n sla ti on , p . 136 .
 THE WORLD AS IMAGINATION

TH E M R
A T YR D OM OF MAN
H a rdy t ell s u s th a t Te ss Of t h e D Urber v ill e s
3 .
’

f oun d b i rth fo r her a n d h er l ike a n o rde a l of degra d

i n g per s on a l c o mpul s i on wh o se gra tuit ou sn e ss ,

n o thi n g i n the re sult s eem s t o j u stify A cert a i n

”
.

l a ke p o et with a likin g for primro se s a n d l oc a l

-
,

kn o lls would ha ve s een Te ss tra ilin g cele stia l gl ory

, .

r ‘

I h e regr e tt a ble thin g o f c o ur s e i s th a t Te s s c a nn o t

, ,

feel the gl o ry while Wo rdsworth a g a i n c a n n o t se e

, , ,

the u n di vin e slough of drudgery s qu a l or a n d , ,

m on oton y thr ough which Te ss a n d the m a j ority

Of mort a l s a r e dr ive n betwixt birth a n d de a th .

Ca n di de in Volta ire s sa tire on phil osophic a l op tim

,
’

is m i s a lwa ys in pur suit of Cu n eg on de a n d p os se ss

, , ,

in g h i s ide a l a t l a s t he fin d s her u n sa t i s fa c
,

t ory Th e worker s of the a byss a r e n ot a lwa ys sure

.

th a t Cu n eg on de is sa tis fa ct ory even before t h e ch a se .

He n ce the preva le n t re so rt t o dri n k a n d drug s a

S pecie s o f rev olt a g a in st a w orld th a t c o n dem n s t o o

m a n y o f it s victim s t o grey a n d b a n a l live s .

Th e tra gedy o f Te ss s ymb oli se s the worka da y

o rde a l o f the m a j o rity o f m a n kin d ; th a t o rdea l
reflectio n on which pro mpted the revolt o f the
Th e h a r d wa y Buddh a True the w orld is full o f c a ta str ophe s
f
o f h u ma n l i e .
.

which ma y seem f oreig n t o a guidin g

,

pla n .
”

Hi st o ry Hegel him self tells u s i s t h e sla ughter

, ,

ben ch a t which the h a ppin e ss o f p e o ple s the wi sd o m ,

of st a te s a n d the v irtu e Of i n dividu a l s h a ve be e n

”
victimi s ed 1
but the sa lien t di sa sters a re l o c a l
,

a n d c o m e a n d go It i s the w orka da y orde a l with

.
,

i t s t e di ou s itera ti on s p e tti n e ss e s a n d s qu a l or th a t
, ,

i s t oo much with u s It h a s i t s c o mp en sa ti on s o f
.

m a n y sort s but t h e f o u n ders o f re ligi on a re right

,

1
P hi losophy f Hi stor y
o , Si bree
’
s t r a n sla ti o n , p . 22 .
 THE M ARTYR D OM OF MAN

in den yin g th a t they s uffice Terre stria l lif e re .

,

ga rded a s a n en d in it self i s a t a n y ra te n ot uni , , ,

v e sa lly prized
r .
—
An d the cry go e s u p why is the
pl a n so disa pp o in ti n g a s it h a s proved to be in
hi st o ry

Th e pla n a ga in h a s n ot succeeded full y with

, ,

t h e c on structi on Of the hum a n body— the vile

b ody of Buddh i st s a n d An glic a n s a like On .

Volta ire s prin ciple tha t the cra pa u de is the

’

idea l of the cra p a ud we a r e a ccu sto m e d t o o ver ,

”

ra te the b ody a n d on the stren gth of it s c olour s a n d

, ,

lin e s de ftly impr oved a n d h a rm on i sed t o en shr in e ,

it in the temple of Art NO d oubt the ide a li sed .

b o dy ca n even be worshipped a t n eed figurin g ,

thu s in t h e l on g li st Of religi ou s object s p a st a n d

pre sen t It i s well t o ide a li se wh en the pro ce ss
.

brin g s a pa ssin g sa ti sfa cti on a n d pe a ce S till do Th pl . e an

u ma n
wh a tever the idea li sed b o dy ma y flggfl
h le
n o t f orget th a t ,

be b odie s a s they b el on g t o u s a r e fa r fr o m b e in g
, , ,

i n sta n ce s o f a perfe ct divin e workm a n ship Mo st .

i n the n ude a r e ugly a n d the fi n e st Offe n d aes thetic

ide a ls Wh a t c a n you e xp e ct
. Helen o f Tro y is
”
bu ilt rou n d a dige stive tub e t h e p a st o f the
mea n c oelen tera tes is with u s st ill ! The s e b odie s t oo , ,

l a ck a s ufficien cy of mea n s Of self rep a ir a r e s eldo m -

,

l on g a t their be st a n d a r e u n e qu a l t o the stre sse s

,

which hi sto ry a sk s o f them a n d which the

pl a n s eem s t o h a ve o verl ooked Th e m orta lity .

Of occup a ti on s 1
i s in structive in thi s re spect ,

a n d pre s e n t s a pr oblem which a t a n y ra t e will , ,

pr ove very difficult t o mee t Birth a n d dea th .

,

s qu a lid a t b es t a r e w o r s e Ofte n th a n t h e h o rr or s Of
,

1
Cf . Dr J T Ar lidge , The Hygi en e, Di sea s es
. . a nd M orta li ty
o
f Occu pa ti on s .
5 76 THE WORLD AS IMAGIN ATION
R oosevelt s Bra zili a n fore st s B a cteri a l a n d prot o
’
.

z oa n pest s a re in sufficien tly gu a rded a g a in st Fea r .

,

Preyer tell s u s i s the fir st primitive em otion in the

,

o rd e r o f a ppe a r a n ce in the child ; thi s a n d An ger

b oth precede a n y S h o w o f a ff e cti on tellin g in dic a

ti on s in deed o f the h a rd r oa d which the st ock h a s
, ,

h a d t o tre a d But de spite thi s c omm a n din g p osi

.
,

ti on Of Fea r it will be f ou n d th a t the b ody s a cti on s

,
’

which it pr o mpt s h a ve been in sufficien tly org a n is ed

, .

Th e foll o win g excerpt fro m M o sso i s cited fr om

Ja me s

Th e gra ver the peri l becomes the m ore do the

rea cti on s which a r e p os itively h a r mf ul t o the a n im a l
preva il in n umber a n d in effi ca cy We a lre a dy .

s a w th a t the trembli n g a n d the p a l sy m a de it in

c a p a ble Of flight o r defen c e ; we h a ve a lso c on

v i n c e d o ur se lve s th a t i n the m o s t deci sive m o m en t s

o f d a n ger we a r e le ss a ble t o se e ( o r t o thi n k ) th a n

wh e n we a r e tra n quil In fa ce of such fa ct s we .

mu st a dmit th a t the phen omen a of fe a r c a n n o t a ll

be a cc ou n ted for by selecti on Thei r extr eme
’
.

degrees a re morbi d p hen omen a whi ch s how a n i mp er

f ecti on in the orga n i s m We might a lmo st sa y th a t
.

N ture h a d n o t been a ble t o fra me a sub sta n ce

a

which sh ould be excita ble en ough t o c o mp ose the

bra in a n d spi n a l m a rr o w a n d yet which sh ould ,

n ot be so excited by excepti on a l stimul a ti on

a s t o o ver s tep in i t s r e a cti on s th os e phy s i o l ogic a l

b ou n ds which a r e u s eful t o the c on serva ti on o f the

”
o rg a n i sm
1
.

M u n ta in eers a r e w e ll a wa re Of thi s d a n ger of

o

n erv o us f a il ur e when ej fici en cy i s mos t wa n ted It .

1
W . Ja mes P ri nci p les
, o f P sychology, 11. 4 83 .
578 THE WORL D AS IM AGINATION
us th a t m a ssive ple a sure ca n seldo m or n ever
a tt a in the in te n s ity o f m a s s ive p a i n bec a u se the ,

o rg a n i s m c a n be br ought d o wn t o a lmo st a n y p o in t

of in a n ition or exha u sti on but i n e fficien t w orki n g

,

c a n n ot be r a i sed very high a b ove the a vera ge .

S imila rly a n y specia l orga n or plexus of n erves ca n

u n derg o a n y a m oun t Of vio len t disrupti on or wa stin g
awa y givin g ri se t o extremely a cute p a in s ; but
,

o rg a n s a r e very s eld o m s o hig hl y n urtur e d a n d so

l on g deprived of the ir a ppropri a te stimul a ti on a s

t o give ri se to very a cute ple a sure s 1
S ch open .
”

ha uer poin t s out how p oor is the lis t of ple a sure s

in D a n te s P a ra di s e comp a red with the p a in s of
’

the Infern o D a n te wa n ted to depict the h ome Of

.

Be a trice in gl owi n g col ours but he la cked the ,

m a teri a ls so a bu n da n t when terr ors were bein g

de scribed O rg a n ic p a i n a g a in viewed a s a p r o
.
, ,

t ec t i v e device i s l a rgely s tupid

, Pa in th a t .
,

vigi la n t se n tin el of the a dvoc a te s Of fin a l c a u se s ,

rem a in s dumb or onl y wa rn s u s when the evil i s

,

Of l on g st a n din g or i rreme di a ble Na y m ore it .

, ,

Ofte n misle a ds u s a s t o the ex a ct se a t of the di se a se .

Ex a mples o f f a ls e l oc a li sa tio n s a b o u n d
”
2
Th e .

—
em o ti on s a n d p a ss i on s the m omen ta ry wa ve s a n d
the la t in g we l o o
s s l f u r a ffective live s — teem with
m on str ou s gr owth s Th e s exu a l em oti on i s a g oo d
.

in st a n ce in p oin t the drive here bei n g it i s th ought ,

by m a n y bi ologi st s co nn ected with the exce ssive

,

pro ducti on Of sexu a l ele men t s in l ower a n ce stra l

o rg a n is m s
2
. A fierce urge h a rrie s a n d w o rs e n s
hum a n so ci a l life l a rge ly bec a u se a n origin a l im
t u n ce u s e f ul per i t b ti n a tely a n d irr a
p e ,s o s ,s s o s

1
P hysi ologica l Aestheti cs , p . 107 .

2
Ri b ot , P sychology o f the Emoti on s , p . 89 .

2
Cf . G dd e es a n d h m on ex 0—
T o s , S , pp 5 1 . .
 THE M ARTY RD OM OF MAN

t i on a lly i
with n o purp osive va lue t o the Specie s
. e . .

S o str on g is thi s urge th a t a s Freud a n d o ther s , ,

h a ve sh own repre ssi on of it on the spur of the

, ,

higher m ora lity ma y h a ve mj url ou s e ff ect s on,

”

b o dy a n d min d a n othe r most n ota ble in st a n ce of

t h e ch a r a cter of the pla n a n d on e exceedi n gly ,
”

in c on ven ien t for curren t the ol ogy .

Th e much c on dem n ed sa va gery of m a n y c om £ 3thgfl dt

11
1
l l
s er
mu n it ies i s a dir e ct o utc o me of the pre ssure of the i g f g n o sa v a e
m ’m ’ s s'
older struggle for exi ste n ce a n d a leg a cy a ll t oo

e a sily c a lled in t o u se Let u s remember B a in s .

’

words a b out symp a thy a n d a pply them If we .

were on a ll occ a s i on s t ouched with the u n h a ppi

n es s o f other s immedi a tely a n d rem otely s prin gin g

fro m our c on duct if symp a thy were perfect a n d un

,

—
f ilin g we c ould ha r dl y ever o mit d o in g wh a t wa s
a

right . Aye : if our a cti on s were guided by i n t elli

gen ce like th a t of Pla t o s phil os opher kin g s ! But ’
-

the struggle which mu st be t a ken a s p a rt of the

,

pla n has ten ded to supp res s wi de symp a thi es a n d

,
”
, ,

cons equen tly to thi s exten t to mi screa te ma n ki n d

,
Men ,
.

sa w their riva ls t o o much fr o m the o ut s ide a s mere ,

obs ta cles t o their gettin g wh a t they w a n ted Hi n c .

i lloe la cr i mce There re sul t a b o min a ti on s Of fright

fuln e ss s uch a s the f oll o win g Th e c a n n ib a l .

tribe s which a r e n ot the l owe st but repre sen t the

,

highes t devel opmen t a m on g the pe ople s of the

Co n g o va lley Often stick the li vin g victim full Of
,

b a mb oo skewer s t o pre empt porti on s of the me a t -

Th i s i s a n in st a n ce onl y Of
”
1
b e f ore s la ughter .

n umberle ss a tr ocitie s which figure i n the l on g hi st o ry

Of ma n a s m ilita ry tyra n t b oss pers ecut or , ,

”

1
Ells w rth o r Origi
Fa is , n of Puni shment, Intern Journa l
b r 19 14
.

f
o Ethi cs , Octo e .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGIN ATION
l ve own er a n im a l torturer a n d expl oiter of help
s a -
, ,

le ss we a kn e ss Th e religi on of val our a ccl a imed

.
,
”

to da y i s a n ech o of th is be stia lity Y ou c a n n ot

-
, .

expect a n ge ls t o emerge suddenl y fro m a w orld

order such a s ours a n d you o ught t o c on demn the ,

sa id o rder a t le a s t a s bitterly a s you d o the Oppre s sor s

which it h a s gen era ted Even the p a re n t a l em oti on s .

a r e n ot s ecurely e n thr on e d There h a d t o be a .

children s ch a rter for m o dern En gl a n d

’
so ,

n umer ous were the p a re n t s deb a sed by th e ir o wn

or a n ce stra l struggle s Th e p a st surge s up per si st .

en tly like a n Open ed hell Eve n the n orm a lly kin d .

m other ten din g her chil dre n h a s felt a cra vin g

, ,

which sh e reg a rd s with horror t o stick p in s in to ,

In p a rts
”
them or even t o c ut their throa t s
,
1
.

Of Afric a the n a tive s revel i n t o rturin g a w ou n ded

a n i m a l ; b oys a s every on e k n o w s, t a ke re a di ly ,

t o cruelty An d a s D r S t a nl ey H a ll write s
.
, Who ,

th a t i s h on e st a n d h a s true s elf kn owledge will n o t -

c onf e ss t o rec o gn is in g in h is own soul the germ s

a n d p oss ibili tie s of a b o ut every crime Vice in sa ni ty , , ,

s uper s titio n a n d f olly i n co n duct ever he a rd o f

B a rb a ric a n d a n ima l tra it s a n d in stin cts j ostle

a n d mi x with e a ch o ther i n le a derle ss m o b s Of

impre ssi on Rea son m a ke s in every a ge err ors

.

a lm os t a s c ol os sa l a s super stiti on with which it i s

o ft e n ve in ed 2
O f such stuff is much of the
.
”

”
min d sa id t o be thru st upon u s by the pl a n .

M an re a so n er i
as s equ a lly f a ulty— mea n in g by
rea s on the proce sse s which c on spire t o in f er
en ce NO o n e of a n y weight t a kes m ore th a n ten
.

per cen t of re a son ers seri ou sly if they step beyon d

.
,

1
Cri me a nd Insa n i ty, Dr Mercier , p . 35 .

2
Adolescence, VOL ii p 68
. . .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

ill u stra ti on s Of S ha m so luti on s which a t be st c over

onl y p a rt Of the field , a n d which a r e u n ten a ble eve n

there .

H e gel wa rn s u s a g a in st a superfici a l Vi e w of
—
hi story the sl a ughter ben ch Th a t which i s
-
.
”

u nf oldin g it self i s the I D EA or S p iri t which m o ves

t o s elf c o mprehe n si on a n d freedo m
-
u s in g the ,

s elfi sh p a ss i on s o f m e n a n d in cide n t a lly m a rtyrin g

the elect It do e s n ot c on sider the well bein g of

.
-

the in dividu a l s thu s u sed NOW we will n ot pre ss .

the p oin t here a s t o h ow S pir it ca n m a ke a n y move

o f thi s ki n d s eein g th a t t i me succe ss i on
,
in the -
,

Hegeli a n system i s unr e a l We h a ve dea lt with

, .

tha t . We will a sk ( 1) in wh a t m a n n e r c a n the

gen era l view of S p i rit t a ke n by Hegel be defe n ded
, ,

t o the do dgin g of the in n umera ble a b omin a ti on s

which Obt a in in t h e deta i l of fin ite live s There i s
n o e s c a pe fr o m thi s det a il which mu s t be a cc o u n ted

for mu st be expl a in ed sa t isf a ct orily to the critic

,
.

A wh ole wh ose p a rt s a r e evil c a nn ot it self be

, ,

perfect a s D r S chill er h a s urged a pp o s itely

,
IS .

n o t the m oveme n t of the M o l o ch I D EA with its -

,

i dl e a i m b ought a t the c ost Of n egli gible cre a

,

ture s wh o a r e n ot supp osed t o c ou n t ? An d i s

n o t t hi s ide a l Of ph i lo s o phy a n ech o Of th os e b a rb a ric

da ys whe n the kin g wa s held t o be the onl y p ower

of gen uin e worth a n d h i s sla ve s the c ommu n ity
, , ,

so much f o dder for b a ttle

( )
2 T h e s elfi s h p a ss i on s u s ed c a nn ot po s s ibly
a ll be m a d e t o c o n s pire t o t h e gl ory o f S p i rit Gille .

de Retz who vi ol a ted a n d sl e w hu n dr ed s Of ch ildr en

,

i n h i s c a stle t h e Pe r si a n kin g wh o c ollected l oa ds

,

Of eye s a s Ta merl a n e di d skull s the bl a ck tyr a n t s ,

wh o tortured for Ju j u worship a n d dro ve s Of like

-
,
 S TEPS TO WARD A S OLUTION
folk ha ve don e n othin g of a n y va lue for the di vi n e
,

u se s They a r e out side this a b surd scheme Of the

.

study a n d yet e a ch victim of devilr y n egligible a s

, ,

st a te ph il osopher s m a
-
y thin k him w a s c on sciou s , ,

a n d in th a t re spect the peer of the I D EA it self

, ,
.

This The o di cy doe s n ot even a pply t o mo st of

th e di fficultie s which we a dduced ju st n ow .

A si mila r l ch Ab solute is defen ded by R oyce R

M o o oyce

G od wh o here in me a im s a t wh a t I n o w t e mp or
a r il mi t l y p e s e i the eter n a l w orld
y ss n o, o n o ss s s n

t h e g o a l a fter which I strive but c ome s to p osse ss ,

it even thr ough a n d bec a u s e of my sorro w

in the Ab solute I a m fulfilled Here a g a in there ”
.
, ,

i s a re a l ti me pr oce ss implied
-
But th a t God .

s h ould po sse ss the g oa l t o wa rd which Gill e de

Retz a n d bl a ck t orturer s str ove i s a th ought th a t
s eem s n o t quite e n cour a gin g An d when stirred .
,

by high e n dea vour I de sire t o work prima ril y for

,

myself a n d other fin ite bein g s for wh o m the h a rve st

s h a ll be a ssured n ot for t h e Ab solut e on the wa tch
, , ,

like a c a pita li st t o expl o it my sla vi sh life Th e

, .

hi story of the p a st i s n ot sufficien tly in spirin g t o

lure u s t o sa cr ific e — for the Ab solute .

Wh a t ju n gle s of evil lie out side th is na rr ow type

of soluti on

S P
TE S T OWA RD A S LU O TION OF T HE R ID D LE OF

EVI L
4 . Evil or ill
term of grea t width of is a

a pplic a ti on It in clude s p a in s specia ll y a sso cia ted

.
,

with the sta te of the b ody a n d c a lled sometime s , ,

”
a cc ordin gly phys ic a l ; it h a s t o in clude rudi
,
 THE WoRLDi AS IMAGINATION
m e n ta ry p a in ful p sychic a l lif e eve n in depth s such
a s a r e pe o pled by the N u c le a r s a n d o ther s u b a n im a l -

s e n tie n t a gen t s ; o n the o ther h a n d it is a l a bel ,

which might be a ppli ed e g t o te a chin g rum o ur ,

. .
, , ,

religi on the we a ther drink a la w a n ethic a l in

, , , ,

j u n cti on a cu st o m a s pecie s a ma n t own n a tion s

, , , , , ,

or the e n tir e wo rld pr oce ss Ma n y h a ve c on

-
.

si de r e d the w orld pr o ce s s a s a n evil th a t ought n o t

-

to be o thers h a ve a sked whether God if a re a lity , ,

might n o t be evil Ag a in there is a specia l aesthe tic

.
,

evil Of uglin e ss ; there a r e m ora l evi ls of wh olly

priva te h a rb ourin g a n d ma n y others We surmis e .

a t o n ce th a t a term u sed thu s widely ma y be, ,

tre a cher ou s is c a p a ble o f bein g b a n di ed a b o ut

a t h a ph a z a rd by cl o ud m a ker s An d we a r e right-
. .

Ha vi n g n o ticed thi s width of a pplic a ti on we S h a ll ,

be prep a red for a c orre sp on din gly wide s oluti on .

With th is prefa t ory wa rn in g let us get t o bu s in e ss .

Th e clue i s a lre a dy in our h a n ds .

In m ovin g tow a rd a soluti on we a re e n a bled ,

t o sa y so methi n g u n he s ita tin gly a t on ce There .

c a n be n o evi l in the Co smic Im a gin a ti on c on

s i dere d a p a rt from cre a tive epi so de s This o ce a n .

Of the in fini te the a ctivity of re st

, the sta tic ,

c on serva tive b a ckgr oun d Of the time pr oce ss i s -

,

dev oid of confli ct is c on sequen tly wh a t in I n di a n

, , ,

phra seology we might c a ll k n owledge ( i m a gin a l )

,
’ ’ ’
a n d blis s ; the j oy e tern a l the ev ep yet a cuct myo t a g
’
f
,

wh ose delight is a s pe rfect a s i t s perfect ima g in a l

life.

Evi l , in fin e ,
belo n g s a n d c a n belo n g o n ly t o , ,

the time proce ss It i mplie s un re st multiplicity

-
.
, ,

cha n ge co nfl ict thwa rtin g with the a tte n da n t

, , ,
 THE WORLD AS IMAGIN ATION
resen tmen t The mons ter in dic a ted ought n ot t o
.

be there is a symp a thetic rev olt of sen tien t s wh o

feel their pro spect s men a ced Evil is a la bel for .

th a t which i s or brin g s p a in but it c o vers a ls o ,

ma r rin gs fr u str a t in gs thwa rtin g s of devel opme n t

, ,

which a r e Ofte n much wider th a n the implied p a inf ul

feelin g There i s evil in t wo very imp ort a n t c on
£ 133 ?g i
1 rs t .

t r a st e d fields ( )
1 th a t Of the thw a rtin g which t a ke s

p l a ce a mid the m ul tiplicity o f a W o rld S y s tem a n d -

,

( )
2 th a t o f the di s c o rda n t W orld S y s tem it s elf -

reg a rded a s a wh ole An evi l Of the first sort o f

.
,

l oc a l s igni fic a n ce onl y is illu stra ted by a cl a sh o f

,

s en tie n t a ge n t s li ke t wo w o lve s which o ppo s e a n d

,

thwa rt on e a n other by my experien ce of a burn

, ,

di sa pp o in tme n t or dise a se , The se trivi a l det a ils

.

melt in t o the ye a st of c osmic ch a n ge They m a rk .

qu a si purp os ive a n d purp os ive a ctivitie s on the

-
,

s m a ll s c a le th a t cr o ss a n d cl a s h with o n e a n other
,
.

An evil of c osmic imp ort a n ce w ould a ri se were a n y ,

very p o werful s en tien t or gr oup s Of s en tien t s t o

’

pr ove c a p a ble of opp osin g a n d thwa rtin g the

i mm a n en t purp os e which guide s the im a gin a l
World S ystem it self Evil h owever on a c osmic
-
.
, ,

s c a le exi st s a t this m ome n t s eein g th a t ou r ,

en tir e World S ystem ever s in ce the Met a physic a l

-
,

Fa ll h a s been a prey to i n tern a l confl i ct a n d thwa r ti n g

, .

Cre a ti on p a in bein g the m a rk Of such con flict h a s

, ,

been well de scribed a s gr oa n in g a n d tra va ilin g .

It i s litera lly i n evil pha se But it m a ke s thr ough .

,

u n re st th a t den ie s a h a lt t o wa rd s ome h a rm on i ou s
,

c on summ a ti on in which evil a s we experien ce it , ,

c a n h a ve n o pl a ce Evi l s eem s t o h a u n t Ac os mi sm
.
,

i e the n ot yet s urm ou n ted ri ot o f a n a rchy a n d

. .

ch a n ce which succeeded the cre a tive a ppulse It .

will va n i sh when the perfect i e the c ompletely , . .

 THE S TAN DIN G OF E VIL
m a de cosmo s which requ ires ,
no further cha n gin g ,

h a s c o me .

We h a ve la men ted the fa te s of fin ite se n tien t s Th e r esp on si

groun d sma ll in the mill s of cre a ti on We h a ve .

pictured the m t oo much a s Vict im s on wh om s ome

extra n e ous n ec e ssity h a s been thrust But a refer .

e n ce to Cha pter I V will remedy th is a ttitude

. .

Why did the World Ide a fa ll a p a rt in t o th a t

-

wa rrin g multiplicity which is the presupp ositi on of

evil a n d a ll it s p a in ? It fell a p a rt beca use of the
or i gi n of fi n i te s en ti en t a gen ts thems elves s e n tien t s
e

in t o which a gre a t c on sci ou s a ppuls e di vi ded i tself

( Ch a p. I V 2 . T h
, e victimi s er a n d the victim s

a r e the s a m e re a lity i n i t s tr a n sf orm a tive or cre a

tive life This is a tremen dou s truth Th e evils

. .
,

t o which sen tien t s a re heirs a re the price p a id for

,

their a ppe a ra n ce on the field of cre a ti on with i t s

in defin ite p ossibilities of growth Ex a ctly But . .

the truth li e s even beyon d thi s in the directi on

s t a ted a bove Th e a ppu ls e h a s di vided it self
.

a m on g the se n tie n t s i s i ts elf in the a dven ture s of

t h e gre a t but a lso terrible r o m a n ce
,
An d su b
, .

o r di n a te expl a n a ti on s Of evil mu s t a ll t a ke a cc ou n t

o f this c o mm a n din g f a ct A cre a tive epi sode is

.

a n experime n t a n d you c a nn o t expect experime n t s

,

in a n i ma gi n a l w orld to be with out surpris es .

S ch open h a uer h a d the glim me when he wr ote S h p h c o en a u er

1
1
tha t the fu n da me n ta l evil wa s the forsa ki n g Of its 3 33353321 2

u n ity by the Will ”

whe n ce plura l in dividu a ls
, ,

s truggle and misery But he o verlooked th a t

.

u n ity ma y be for sa ken in th is m a nn er in the c a ses

of i n defin itely n umerou s World System s be side s -
 THE WORLD AS IM A INATION G
o urs , a nd
th a t the cre a tive evoluti on s c omme n ced
a re , perh a p s in the l on g ru n emin e n tly t o be
, ,

de sired The s e evoluti on s o ccur bec a u s e they

.

emb o dy imm a n en t purp ose s prin gin g n ot fr o m ,

”
bli n d Will but fr o m ima gin a l a ctivity th a t
,

builds better th a n we wot Th e f a ct s fa v ourin g .

,

S ch open h a uer s pessimism turn on thi s Th e self

’

, .

di ffere n tia ti on Of the Wo rld Ide a in t o e lem e n t s o f -

Overt n eg a ti o n a n d c onfl ict i s e nf o rc e d by the

a ris in g within it o f multiple s e n tien t a gen t s a s

de s cribed in Ch a pter I V Hen ce the s truggle which .

c on diti on s in org a n ic ev oluti on Th e c on tin u a ti on Of .

s truggle i n t o o rg a ni c Na ture a n d bey on d brin g s

with it the va ri ou s a b o min a ti on s of which we h a d

t o m a ke me n ti o n Now S ch open h a uer rega rds
.

thes e evils a s u n m a skin g the ch a ra cter Of a ra di c a lly

evi l world But it is true t o s a y th a t they a r e
.

in ciden ts in l a rge p a rt n either fore seen n or fore

,

s ee a ble which mu st be a ccepted a s p a rt o f a gre a t

,

a dve n ture .

Im a g in a ti on crea te s sc a tterin g a t on ce r ose s a n d

,

th orn s An d here we re a ch a n i mp orta n t sub ordin a te

.

truth It i s n ot im a gin in g i n the f orm of the u n

.

di vided W orld Ide a which i s re s p on s ible for the

-

a pp a llin g det a il s of Na ture red in t ooth a n d

cl a w O rga ni c evoluti on is la rge ly the field Of
.
”

an im a gin in g tha t h a s run a mok We ha ve t o .

recur t o the c on cepti on of lOca l cre a tive in iti a tive s

a n d we s h a ll a t o n ce perceive why Th e in iti a l .

c on flict h a s di vide d the World Ide a a g a in st it self -

,

th ough i t s c on tin uity i s fa r fro m be in g wh olly l os t .

Wh a t en sues ? It s members recipro c a lly in ter ,

a ctin g s how in the s e in tera ctio n s the im a gin a l

,

in itia tive of the ir s o urce An d thi s in iti a tive i s

.
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
retra cin g their step s t o the p a st O f such is the .

Nietz schea n a n d milit a ri st S uch a ttitudes when .

,

n ot err or s due t o ig n or a n ce a r e s piritu a l cr i me s ,

th e y c a ll up on the n ow rel a tively free in dividu a l t o

fix the evil of the old order which h a s t o p a ss a wa y .

We c a n detect in a gen era l wa y the c on di ti on s

, ,

by which God wa s a n d i s limited God i s n ot a .

st a tic immut a ble en tity but gro ws ; i s the c on

, ,

s ci o u s life o f thi s W orld S y stem in s o fa r a s it c a n

-

be c a lled a wh ole But thi s gre a t life doe s n ot

.

s ub ordin a te f ul ly or perh a ps
,
a s yet eve n in clude
, , ,

a ll the cre a tive power s which h a ve a pl a ce i n the

s a id System It is c on diti on ed by the history

.

a n d the exi stin g ch a ra cter Of the S y stem which ,

like my own b o dy c ompri ses min or s en tien t a gen t s

, ,

a n d li ke th a t b o dy i s n ot ju s t cl a y for the p otter

, ,

t o be m oul ded a t will It i s idle t o specul a te a s

.

t o wh a t pr e cis e excellen ce s a n d wh a t degree s o f

them ch a ra cterise thi s ex a lted but still evolvin g ,

a n d fin ite , p ower But we a r e cle a r th a t Go d i s

.

in a p os iti on t o be me n s Gre a t Ally ; a n d th a t for

’

m a n y is Of supreme momen t 1
.

Go d en j oys the gre a te st l oc a l in iti a tive Of a ll

s e n tien t s in the W o rld S y stem
— But the cre a tive .

pr oce ss o f thi s en tire S ystem h a s been di stru sted by

m a n y n a y co n demn ed by some a s in cura bly evil
, , .

Th e th o ught of Go d strugglin g v a in ly i n the me s he s

Of such a n et w ould be o ppres s ive It is un c a lled for . .

Th e crea tive proces s on the gra n d sc a le h a s t o

’
compri se G od s a n d other cre a tive in itia tive s It .

gen era te s much which judged by sta n da rds of ,

1
Ch a p VI . . 3, God .
 THE STANDIN G OF E I VL
pe rfection is in t olera ble Agreed But wha t of
, . .

tha t ? Th e dyn a mic of cre a ti on a s we sa w l on g ,

a go ,
tra n sform s a gi v en situ a ti on the pla sticity of ,

whi ch is lim ited Th e story of Cre a ti on is n ot th a t

.

of a m a gic a l pr o ducti on o f perfe cti on ou t of the

v oid It i s on e of the s low overcomi n g of the fu n da C ti i th

m
.
rea on s e

men ta l evi l of the M eta p hysi ca l Fa ll a n evil which ii gi f m

‘ r '

i s t o be a lt er e d a n d a ltered a s fa r on the wa y t o
,

perfe cti on a s c on diti on s a llo w On thes e lin e s we .

ca n u n der st a n d why Na ture m a be a t n ce u n

y o

s a ti sfa ct ory a n d ye t the be st p o ss ibl e Na ture Of

it s sort Given t h e fu n da men t a l evil n othin g
.
,

better perh a p s could h a ve been a cc omplis hed th a n

, ,

wha t a ctu a lly h a s bee n don e DO you a sk why the .

“
fun da men ta l evi l it self occurred ? O ur re ply
”

h a s been given in a dva n ce but ma y be put i n a :

n e w wa
y Th e very
. evil i mplied by the ,
ge n e s i s W hi h i
n t c s o

o f a plur a lity Of s e n tie n t s will bec ome a g ood

,

in the D ivin e Eve n t c on summ a tin g the world gfi giggggg

‘ h t ‘ '

proce ss There i s n o wa y sa ve through in iti a l

.
,
f G d o oo

c on flict s t o perfe cti on If thi s be s o it rem a in s

,
.
,

for the cre a tive pr oce ss t o turn the confli cts them
s elv es t o the be st p o s s ibl e a cc o u n t An d thi s so fa r .
,

a s my p o or judgme n t a v a ils me is wh a t c o me s ,

t o p a ss .

Thu s the o verc om in g Of the fun da men ta l e vil

i s a lso the cre a tive ev oluti on of a World S ys tem -
.

“
But t h e n umber of l oose a gen t s with l oc a l
in iti a tive s i s in defin it e ly gre a t ; a n d the o verrulin g
o f them in order t o the be st p oss ible t ot a l cre a tive
,

a chieve me n t is the tit a n ic t a sk

,
Th e S ystem . .
,

w orkin g a s a m ore or le ss br oken wh ole i s c on di ,

t i on ed in evit a bly by the h a ppen in g s which t a ke

pla ce in the deta il of it s members ju st a s 1 de spite , ,
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

a ll my high purpo ses a m con di tion ed by wh a t,

goe s on a m on g the min or se n tien t s of my ign ora n t

b o dy Wh a t won der th a t little or n othin g in the
.

w orld of experien ce seem s g o od en ough t o l a st a n d ,

th a t it i s s eld o m a ctu a l a chievemen t in N a ture ,

but ra ther possi bi li ti es sugge sted by such a chieve

men t which m a ke a ppea l t o the idea listic ph ilo
,

so pher a n d the my stic S plen did in a spects a s i s

.

Na ture in others it i s squ a lid h orr ible a n d me a n

, , , .

It is n ot yet a perfect poem of the C osmic Im a gin a

ti on It ret a in s still a t a n y r a te on th is physic a l
.
,

level of re a lity the ch a ra cter o f a b a ccha n tic god

, .

But its sugge sti on s c a rry u s fa r a n d we believe on ,

go o d grou n ds th a t the future wil l surp a ss even o u r

fa ire st dr e a m s a n d th a t thin gs in fin e a re movin g
, , ,

slowly t o wa rd a D ivin e Even t .

We seem a ble to a cc oun t then in a gen era l wa y , ,

for the stupiditie s fa ilure s uglin e sse s a n d sheer

, ,
“
a bom in a ti on s th a t ma r Na t u re wh i c h i s the g a rmen t
,

of God o nl y in the sen se th a t it robe s the fin ite

con sci ou s Po wer a llied with our p a rticula r World
S ystem Na ture a s we sa w h a s fa llen a wa y from
.
, ,
”
the a ctivity of re st i s a c o rrupti on of etern ity
, ,

a n d ge n e ra te s thin g s m on str ou s o di o u s a n d terrible , ,

in it s f a ll Th e c o rrupti on of ima gin in g in cide n t a l

.

to thi s fa ll in tr o duce s the da rk s ide Of crea tion .

An d mi scre a ti on in evit a ble a t the outset i s c on

, ,

t in u e d a s we o bserve da ily i n the purp os ive life Of

, ,

ma n him self Th e da rk in iti a tive o f ma n i s n ot t o

.

be dis mis sed va guely a s evil in tellectu a lity it

i s j u st m iscre a tin g i ma gi n a l in iti a tive Ima gin a ti on .

“ ”
is the pla stic power tha t S h a pe s a da ptive a cti on s ,

a n d o rig in a te s eve n o u r in ter n a l c on ceptu a l pos ses

s io n s or in strume n t s them selve s .

 THE WORLD AS IMAGIN ATION
and n ever quite s ecure a g a in st wa n t a n d e n emie s ,

wa s thru st t o the fore We kn ow how imperfectly

.

thi s h a rd scho ol h a s d on e it s work we kn ow wh a t

a b omin a tio n s m a rk i ts rec ord s Wh a t we h a ve .

to n ote a l so is th a t it h a s c on verted a p ortio n

, , ,

a t le a st o f a n cie n t c on flicts in t o de s ir a ble re s ult

, .

D is
.
ppe a ra n ce of a rmed c on flict in the e a rly sta ges
a

of hum a n ev oluti on woul d h a ve me a n t sta gn a

ti on or degen era ti on V ict oriou s b a rb a ri a n s thr ove
.

exceedin gly a like in physique a n d po sse ssi on s a n d ,

reflected their j oy in their pra i se s o f wa rri ors a n d

Wa r Grea t n umbers Of physic a lly inf erior c on
.

q u e r or s a n d c o n quered were s wept a w a y to the

g a in of the future An d a s S pen cer tell s the
.
, ,

dem a n ds o f wa r fur thered primitive in du strie s

a n d the f orm a ti on o f l a rge so cietie s with the di vi

s i on Of l a b o ur thereby re n dered pr a ctic a ble Ha bit s .

Of di scipli n e a n d sub ordi n a ti on were fo stered a —

n a s ce n t s e n s e Of duty t o the cl a n tribe or c o m , ,

mu n ity On the o ther h a n d the a ggre ssive ch a ra cter

.
,

O f the w a rri o r mu st pr o ve a n ti s oci a l Th e citize n

-
.
,

m a de c a ll ou s by the killi n g a n d wou n din g Of en emie s ,

”
i n evit a bly brin g s h i s c a ll o u sn e s s h o me with him .

Thi s we a ken in g of s ympa thy dem or a li sed Add .

th a t the n e e d o f gu a rdin g a g a i n st repri sa l s drew

he a vily on t h e re s ource s of the c ommu n ity Thi s .

l a st f a ct o r of ec on omic burden h owever h a s ri sen , ,

i n t o d o m in a tin g sig n ific a n ce on ly in o u r time .

Wa r the rem o te p a st wa s o n the wh ole de sir

in , ,

a ble th o ugh it c a rried within it s elf t h e s eed s o f a n

,

i n evita ble declin e fro m u se fuln e ss If we supp ose

. .

a s uperhum a n a ble t o reg a rd it di s p a ss i on a t e ly a s

,

a n i n s trume n t Of evo luti o n he w ould h a ve decided

,
 WAR
in its fa vour Ha d he been a ben eficen t cre a tive
.

p ower a ble to in terven e in the c our s e of His t ory

, ,

he would h a ve m a de u se of it Th e mischief c o uld .

be ma de t o yield a dva n ta ges .

Let kip the cen turies a n d c on sider the pr oblem W

us s it ar as

a s it c onf r on t s u s t o da
y D efen si ve wa r s h a ve
-
.

th e ir peculi a r sa n cti on self c on serva ti on They fggj ff h

,
-
.
‘
s ee,

rem a in n eedful sh ould cultura l etc va lue s w orth i l ev

, .
, ,

pre servin g be thre a te n ed or even the mere de sire

, ,

of livin g freely rul e the he a rt D egen era te s a l on e .

s a cr ifice the s piritu a l g a ins o f cen turie s t o s e n ti

me n t a n d such we a klin g s a re be st c a st t o the hea p

, .

Self sa crifice ma y be on e of the worst vice s Th e

-
.

offen s i v e wa r wa ged in a m o ra l c a u s e a n d i n a n oble

,

s pirit a g a in st b a rb a ri a n s or mi s chiev ou s pe o ple s ,

wh o h a mpe r progre s s c a n n ot be impugn ed

,
It i s .

c ostly excellen t thin g s a re Ofte n c ostly But the .

Offen sive wa r betwee n superi o r c o mmuni tie s is

bec o min g pre p oster ou s Th e seed s of s elf c on de m
.
-

n a ti on which wa r a lwa ys c a rried i n it self a r e

, ,

s pr o utin g in thi s a r e a S kywa rd Like so m a n y .

o ther pe st s Wa r te n d s t o m o ve t o wa rd th a t s heer
,

evil which pr o mpt s a n d evoke s fin a lly a n ew

im a gin a l solution —a n e nf orced h a rm on i si n g
p o litic a l a rra n ge me n t which will a b oli sh it When
the mutu a l miserie s pr o duc e d a re sufficien tly sh a tter
in g a n d a r e felt t o be in evit a bly so the s oluti on ,

will be s ought for a n d f oun d The self s uffic ien cy .

-

o f S t a te s w ill be m o d ified ; they will repla ce bra wlin g

with m ora l rela ti on s .

O ld truth b out Wa r ha ve been ma de fa lse by the

s a

tra n sform a ti on s of t h e time pro ce ss Thu s primitive

-
.

b a rba r ia ns impro ved their phys ique secured va lu ,

59 6 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

a ble erfs women we a lth a n d showed in du stri a l

s , , ,

a n d s oci a l pr o gress a t a quite t olera ble c o st The i r .

evoluti on wa s furthered To d a y the victori ou s .

n a ti on o n the wh ole
,
i s a l oser It h a s t o live in , .

h a te p oi son ed surr ou n din g s

-
It h a s l o wered i t s .

vita lity for gen era tion s deb a s in g heredi ty a like ,

in the s phere s of b o dy a n d min d D ea th

re a p s it s h a rve st a lwa ys a m on g the be st men sa y s ,

Fi el d Ma rsh a l v on der G oltz ) ; h a s wa sted bl ocks

of c a pit a l m a de it s members supp ort a n i n cre a sed
,

h orde Of un productive c on sumers a n d in curred ,

a gra ve ri sk of i n tern a l dem ora lisa tion 1

There .

h a ve bee n c ompen sa tio n s in the specta cle of m a gn i

fice n t her o i sm a n d in the a wa ke ni n g Of the s ymp a
thetic feeli n g s of the civili a n p opul a ti on But the .

o ccup a ti on s a n d eve n the s p o rt s of pe a ce pr o vide

every requi red field for the cult of the lif e Virile
a n d the her oi sm s in cide n t theret o An d the p ro .

vi si on Of victim s t o r ou se the symp a thie s Of civili a n s

for victim s which cert a in g o od f o lk s e em t o de s ire
, ,

i s s c a rcely s a n e Y ou do n ot blin d a son in o rder.

“
to impr ove a brother who i s t o m a ke sa cri fice s
for him Y ou prefer a s itu a ti on i n which there i s
n o victim a n d n o n eed of cha r i ty a t a ll Y o u h a ve .

t o rec a ll t oo th a t the wa r symp a thie s ev oked a re

, ,
-

n a rr o w a n d viti a ted n orm a lly by i n te n s e m a lev o

len ce d irected t owa rd the Opp os in g ho sts Th e .

dem ora li sa ti on in deed o f the civili a n a cce n tu a ted

, , ,

1
Th eq t d i mil th t w i lik th d r
fr q e u e n tly uo e s e a ar s e a un e

t r m w hi h l r t h
s o , i d r gr t
c l i m t
c ea s e a r un e ea c on v u s on s, us c er

t i ly
a n t b ppli d wi th t r r Th Thi rty Y r W
no e a e ou ese v e . e ea s
’
ar

ch g d G rm y i t
an e wild r e d br gh t i i t t r i
an n o a e n ess a n ou n s a n a

d m r li ti
e o awi th t p r ll l d
sa on p ri i h ou a a e ; an ou r ex e e n ce s n t e

F th rl d
a er ly d t f t r h b li f i th p rifyi g
an s ca ce ten o os e t e e e n e u n

ff t f th l t w —M r h l G ltz i th
“

e ec s o e d as ar a s a v on er o n e

N a ti on i n Arms .
 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION
’
pla n et t ry h a s ga in ed a t le a st in p i cturesquen ess
s s o

a t t h e c os t o f p a s t s truggle s f a ilin g which Un iver sa l ,

His tory w ould h a ve been fla t a n d thi s a chieve ,

m en t h a s been w orth it ma y be m a n y p a ss in g
, ,

cur se s te a rs a n d gr oa n s Im a gin a l a rti stry h a s

, , .

a im s Of which we da fl i e s l ost in ou r petty in tere s t s

y , ,

a r e quite u n a ble t o t a ke a cc ou n t ; it i s m a k in g
rea lity on the gre a t sc a le a n d n ot c a terin g for o ur
'

m o me n t a ry plea sure s a n d p a in s We a r e b oun d .

t o m oot c on sider a ti on s of thi s sort But perh a p s .

, ,

we a r e pre sumptu ou s in supp osin g th a t our di spute s

c on cern the c osm os m ore th a n the c omb a t s of
differen tly col oured ra t s .

Be thi s a s it ma y there i s n o c a ll for u s t o st a ge

,

volu n t a rily a specta cle of s elf imm ol a ti on We n eed -

.

n ot w or s e n deliber a tely the o rde a l s o f s e n tie n t life .

An d Wa r s o fa r a s o u r o utl ook exten ds seems to

, ,

be bec omin g sheerly ba d .

6 . World S ystem e sc a pe s from the p ri meva l

Th e -

n i ghtma re by tra n smutin g sl owly itself a n d the

s e n tie n t s a ll ied with it c on servin g on the wh ole , ,

re a l va lue s a n d s c a ven gin g evil by suppre ssi on or

,
’
s ub ordin a ti on o f it in n o vel r e sult s C e st l a ven ir .
’

s eul qui a é t é le gr a n d o bjet de D ieu d a n s la cr é a ti on

’ 1
e t c e st p our c e t a ve n ir s eul
q u e le p r esen t exi ste

—if by D ieu here you me a n n ot o u r fin ite Po wer ,

o f th a t n a me but the Co smic Im a gin a ti on Th e

,
.

“
fun da men t a l evil with the a tten da n t p a in wa s
in e vita ble a n d we a re t o expect t o fin d it very
gr a du a lly overc ome ev oluti on i n a ll it s gr a n d va riety
,

e mergin g in the pr oce ss P a in u sed .in thi s

crea tive work ma y be built in t o n oveltie s of l a stin g
D Ha u tevi lle
1 ’
.
 THE T A R NS F ORM ATION OF E VIL
va lue or when thi s is n ot rea lly a chieva ble l e ft
, , ,

behin d a ltogether Let u s c on sider some directi on s

. ,

o ther th a n mere orga n ic evoluti on a n d Wa r in ,

which p a in h a s been m a de u seful a n d a n cill a ry ”

t o developmen t o f s olid worth ; wo rth such a s might

en dure in some form or other when the cr ea ti v e
time proce ss h a s cl osed in a purely con serv a ti ve D ivin e
-

Even t .

We sha ll fin d this enn obl in g of p a in u n mi sta ka bly

a chieved in m a n y qu a rter s We h a ve n ow c on
.

cluded our Ob serva ti on s a b out Na ture a n d a r e o n ,

the b orderla n d of a survey Of a n im a l a n d huma n

s e n tie n t life s uch a s is t o o ccupy u s in the n ext

e ssa ys o f thi s series Th is secti on will serve t o

.

complete our di scu ssio n of the first step s

to wa rd the s olution of the problem of evil further ,

ra mific a ti on s o f which will be de a lt with elsewhere .

Th e enn oblin g of evil i s a gre a t re a lity but it ,

mu st n ot blin d u s t o the tru th th a t a ll evil s a r e n ot

su s ceptibl e o f thi s tre a tme n t Mill sc ourges the
.

c ompla cen t o ptimi sm which repre sen ts the evil s of

lif e a s de s ira ble thin gs bec a u se they c a ll forth
,

qu a li ties a da pted to c omb a t with evil s It i s onl y .

bec a u se the di fficulties exi st th a t the qu a litie s ,

which c o mb a t with them a re of a n y va lue As .

pra ctic a l bein gs it i s ou r bu sin e ss t o free hum a n

lif e fro m a s m a n y a s p o ssible of i ts di fficulties a n d ,

n ot t o keep a s t o ck of them a s hu n ter s pre s erve

g a me for the exerci se Of pursu in g it 1

M a n y of .
”

the di fficultie s in deed which c onf r on t ma n a n d

, ,

a n im a l in evoluti on h a ve c a lled fo rth qua lities

, ,

n o t on ly o f n o va lue sa ve for p a ss in g n eed s but ,

1
P oli ti ca l Economy, B kV
oo . cha p . ii . 6 .
 THE W ORLD AS IMAGINATION
utterly a b omin a ble O ptimi m i the
s . n s en s e th a t
,

wh a tever i s i s right i s fl a gr a n tly fa l se Meli ori s m

, ,
.

in the s e n se th a t fin ite l ife h a s v a lue a n d th a t ,

it will h a ve i n cre a sin g va lue rin g s true but such , ,

l ife h a s t o shed m a n y evil ev oked qu a litie s which-

would t a in t even the h a ll s of mem ory Very r a sh .

Optimi stic sta temen t s h a ve been m a de a b out evil .

Th e fir st le sso n of Hi story i s the g oo d of evil

( E m er s o n ) ,the s w i fte s t hor s e th a t be a r s u s to
pe rfection is sufferin g ( Eckh a rt ) a r e pr o n o u n ce
,

men t s in p oi n t Ma n y of the evil s in hi st ory such

.
,

a s the per secutio n o f the Al bige n se s the c ollecti on ,

of eye s by Per si a n tyr a nn y the ever recurrin g ,

-

fa min es which h a ve tormen ted the In dia n ry o t ,

the a bomin a tio n s of religi ou s pra ctice in Ph oen ici a

a n d C a rth a ge a n d a m on g the Aztecs the m a rtyr ,

dom Of leper s in Ch in a a n d In di a etc etc h a ve n o , . .

,

kin d Of compen sa t ory g oo d to S h ow An d Eckh a rt s .

’

l a uded su fferin g i s t oo Often a source Of degra da

tio n a s well a s a hera ld of better thin g s A m a n .
,

h a rried by lo n g c on flict s with exce ssive s exu a l

p a ssio n is much m ore lik ely to de scen d th a n ri se
,

in the s c a le of exi sten ce An u nf ortu n a te struggli n g

.

a g a in st a lu st Of cruelty is much f a rther fr o m p er fe c

ti on th a n a Pl a to wh o h a s n ever been tr oubled with

it a t a ll D i smi ssin g Emer son s a n d Eckh a rt s ra sh
.
’ ’

s t a teme n t s we a r e e n titled t o a ssert o nl y the fr e

,

q u en t utility O f ev il a n d h a ppi,l y we a r e i n a p o s iti o n

t o sa y th a t cre a ti on h a s m a de g oo d exten sively

in this re spect .

U ses of pa in . Plea sure or h a pp in es s the m a rk Of free or furthered

,

p sychic a l a cti v ity te n ds t o the con serva ti on a ga i n st

,

cha n ge Of the experie n ce which it c ol our s An d .

this con serva tion or sta tic a ttitude ha s to give

602 THE WORLD AS IM AGINATION

us in plen ty We ought n ot to overl o ok h owever

.
, ,

the l a rge field in which u nr e st a n d p a in ha ve proved

a b solutely s ter i le for pr ogre ss Evil s a re n ot them
.

s elve s big with the pr o mi se Of g oo d In c ommu n itie s

.

i n which t h e im a gin a l s oluti on a n d th ose Viri le

en ough t o a pply it a r e l a ckin g evils a ccumula te ,

idl y Emers on s g oo d of evil i s cert a inl y n o t di s

.
’

c over a ble thr ough out the a nn a l s of S t a tes We fin d .

there just wh a t we fin d in a n im a l org a ni c evoluti on ,

viz s phere s Of m ore or le ss c o mplete fa ilure a n d

.
,

S phere s where a cc o mpli shme n t while stri kin g h a s

, ,

fa ll en sh ort of a n ide a l sta n da rd Th e meli ori st .

,

a s di stin gui s hed fr o m the o ptim i s t view of cre a tio n ,

h a s t o exclude logi ca lly n ecessa ry progre ss fr om

its ren derin g of hi st ory .

Pa in s ma y c on tribute to the e nr ichmen t of ch a r

a cter the va riety a n d depth g a in ed m a rkin g a
tra n sform a tion Of prim a ri l y evil experie n ce in n e w
con text s There is a gre a t field here for the m a kin g
.

Of n ovelty S ymp a thy a g a in which i s va lued n ot

.
, ,

o n ly fo r wh a t it d o e s but for wh a t it i s brin g s f olk ,

t ogether through their very p a in s It sugges ts th a t .

i n sula ted pers on a lity ma y n ot a lwa ys en dure a n d th a t ,

the in sul a ti on i s even n ow bre a kin g do wn Guided .

by a dequ a te kn o wledge symp a thy i s the fou n da

,

ti on Of the higher m ora lity a n d the m a rk of the

true superm a n — the merely wis e a n d p owerful ma n
and the mere sa in t bein g m on sters Th e ide a l .

future st a te of sen tien t s h owever i s on e of freedom

, ,

fr o m p a in s with which symp a thy could be required .

Th e m ost e n durin g a s a lso perh a p s the l a st a cquired

, , , ,

form of symp a thy i s the power t o rej oice a lwa y s

a n d u n grudgin gly with the h a ppy M o st o f u s c a n .

feel for the victim of a n a cciden t ; we should be

 VL
E I AN D THE INDIVID U AL
l wer
s o to h ow delight
S if so me on e ha d s ucceeded
to a ye a r .

Wh a t a b out t h e evil s a n d their c ompri sed p a in s o i l th t n ev s a

“
th a t a re n ot built in to n ovel cre a ti on s Of w orth in 2353 225q
which they a re a t on ce pre served a n d a b oli shed fi f
gsl g g j e
s

m n

Th e y do n ot bel on g t o the c on serva ti on of va lue s ,

a n d n ot bei n g c a ught up in t o gl ory therein do they ,

die sheerly ou t of re a lity Th e hide ou s a n d degra d

in g p a n g s Of s ome di se a se s the s en s a ti on s of a ma n
,

devoured a live by a n ts or t ortured by lu n a tic s

,

o f the I n qui siti on in the Mid dl e Age s a re n ot it , ,

would s eem Of la stin g va lue t o a W orld S ystem

,
-

which is t o become divin e But a r e they utterly .

u n redeemed evil s in respect of the in dividu a l

victim s It i s idl e of c ourse t o t a lk of c omplete
, ,

c ompen sa ti on s in such c a ses Y ou do n ot truly .

c ompen sa te a n y on e by givin g him a shillin g a fter

kn ockin g him down the oblitera ti on of the origin a l
evi l i s n ot secured At the sa me time we a r e b ou n d
.

t o c on fr on t the pr obl e m a s t o h ow fa r evil s such a s ,

those men ti on ed a b ove a r e overc om e so fa r a s

, ,

they c a n be o ve rc ome in the c a se of the in di vidu a l

,
.

An d thi s wil l h a ve t o be on e Of the t opic s Of gre a te st

imp ort a n ce in o ur n ext e ssa y on the in dividu a l
S O fa r we h a ve bee n c on s iderin g onl y fir st step s
i n the soluti on of the pr oble m o f evil We h a ve .

bee n c on cern ed prim a rily with i t s cosmi c sta n di n g

a s a n a spect o f a w orld epi so de -
We h a ve further .
, ,

t o de a l wi th it a s a n a spect of the hi st orie s Of in di

v i du a ls within th a t epi so de .

We c a nn ot ign ore tha t ta sk in di vidu a l . The ,

M e li or i s m
a s va lued by o ther in di vidu a ls i s sometime s di s ,

cu sse d a s if he were a n egligible item in c osmic

6 04 THE WORLD GINATION
AS I M A

s tory But in re spect of bein g c on sci ous he is

.
, ,

the peer o f the C osmic Im a gin a ti on it self An d .

the va lue o f lif e mu st be sh o wn in h i s de stin y in ,

wh a t h e i s here a n d n o w a n d i n wha t he i s to become .

Meli ori sm if it O ffers n o prospects t o the in di

,

vidu a l h a s a lre a dy de sp a ired of it s t a sk a n d bec ome

,

pessimi stic i e c on ten t t o sa y th a t c on sci ou s l ife

, . .
,

i n th a t va st a re a filled by fi n ite s en tie n t s h a s n o ,

'

l a stin g va lue .

Th e
fin a l st a temen t Of meli ori sm a cc ordin gly , ,

c on cern s the in di vidu a l a retrospect a n d a pr o spect ; ,

a n d the c on tin u a ti on Of this serie s o f e ssa y s wil l

t a ke th a t form .

We c a n h owever c on clude thi s b o ok in a mo st

, ,

h opeful sp irit thu s Thi s ch a n gin g World S ystem

.
-
,

reg a rded a s a wh ole i s cle a rly n ot the field of mere

,

c on fli ct a n d the implic a ted p a i n of thwa rted devel op

me n t a n d dec a y It a r ose fr om a purp osive cre a
.

tive a ppul se a n d it i s the very in ten s ity of the

,

a ctivity a t w o rk in it th a t h a s thr o wn Off the a n

t a gon i sm s which m a rk it s hi story It h a s been a .

s t ory in which so fa r a s a n im a l a n d hum a n sen

,

t i en t s a r e c on cern ed p a in h a s pl a yed a le a din g , ,

Often a pp a llin g p a rt But there i s a n en c oura gin g

, .

reflecti on sugge sted by thi s very preva len ce of

p a in S in ce the crea tive a ppulse wa s n ot blin d
.
,

but the birth of a r om a n ce of the All c on sciou s -

C osmic Im a g in a ti on then surely there will be n o ,

fi n a l i ssue th a t n eed be fe a red ? Na ture did n ot

f a ll a wa y fr om the primeva l h a rm on y the c orrup ,

ti on of etern ity did n ot beg in t o n o ultim a te ,

s p i ritu a l pr o fit Th e very exten t Of the p a i nf uln e ss

.

of lif e is a n e a rn e st of the triumph th a t i s to come .

60 6 THE W ORLD AS IM AGIN ATION
as p e ct s Of r whi h i t i
eali ti es a s sel -suffici en t f e nti ti es c ex s n
d by th m l
an A tt mp t t r g rd B
e se v es ty ( p 2 33 ) n a e o e a ea u

r f th w rld ill tr t thi ki d f f ll y

. .

asth e sou ce o e o us a es s n o a ac

Cf pp 187 2 0 3 r ti d r ti
.

A ti it
c v y A ti i ty - on c v a s con se v a vean c ea v e.

rigi f p i h tw
. . .

Ad pt ti
a a d i
on , as use t f th n a ccoun s o e o n o s ec es , as o
m i g
ea n n il y d ft
s ea s i tl y f d Cf p 54 3
an O en c on v en en c on use

( 1) A i q i r y i t t h d i mp rt f
, , . . . .

A th ti
es e c di ti
n n u n o e con on s an o o

( 2 ) A Tr K t i q i ry
.

At d t l A th ti
’
Fi ne r S anscen en a es e c, an s n u
whi h r d r p i bl i bl ph m
.

i t th
n o di ti e c on on s c en e oss e sen s e en o en a
asi t it d in u p e d ti m n s a ce a n e

di ti t r l ti ly md p d t tr
.

A Ag t i
n en s a s nc e a ve e en en cen e or sour ce

t r l g t f whi h Mill p k
,

f h g
o c an A e na u a i a en o c s ea s, s
pr d r f h g i th t p t f W rld Sy t m
.
,

a o u ce o c an e n a as ec o ou r o -
s e

whi h i ll d phy i l N t r F th rigi f t r l

c s ca e s ca a u e. or e o n o na u a

ga t w
e n s, h i h
”
t i t f pp 458 6 3
c a re sen en , c . .
- .

Ag nos ti Ag c, ti i m Th nos c s
g t i H l y ll hi m i e a n os c, as ux e ca s s

wh r f t m k rti t wh t m y li
.
,

th m e an o e use s o a e a sse on s a s o a a e

b y d ph m
e on h en o p ri q i t wi th
en a su c a s our e x e en ce a c ua n s us
r r
.

Th e
g t i a i t h i
n os f t h t
c, m ”
m y b
n t t d
s sen se o e e a e c on as e

wi th th g ti my ti f rly Chri ti tim wh

,

e n os c s cs o ea s an es , o

l im d
c a e
g i k wl dg g i g b y d rdi ry
a en u n e no e e, o n e on o na ex

p i er en ce , f th di i o F th ph e f Ag ti i m
v ne or e as es O n os c s

pp
.
,

f c 6 1 6 -

w ll b i g
. . .

Alt i m A
ru s thi l i d l n f d e ti t thca ea o ev o on o e e - e n

t mp r ry f th r
.
,

e o a l ti g or O id das n li gh t O d o e s n e-s e a n en en e

b q r p b
.
,

g e i mo s i g lly me n l d i d e d i di ua l o a an n ee n s e n sa e

Cf p 53 5 T rm r f ri g
, , .

A b li
n a o c, A b li m na o s t th e s e er n us o e

p ri rity f rt i typ f rg i m d
. . . .

su e o o ce a n f es o o an s s, a n ev e n o a sex ,

i th m tt r f t ri g E rgy
“
C t b li m
”
n e a e C t b li
o s o n ne a a o c, a a o s
p ri rity i th p w r f br ki g d w mpl
.
,

d t
e n o e a su e o n e o e o ea n o n co ex

mp
co d ou n d p di g E rgy t pr fit Th
s an ex en n ne o o us
m r t b li t h pl t i th w m
.

im l
an a s a re o e ca a o c an a n s, n en an o en .

A l ti K t Th Tr d t l A lyti h fir p r
’
na y c, an s ( t e t ta n scen en a na c e s a

Tr d l wi th th d t ri
.

f th
o e d t l L gi a n scen en a d o c ea s e oc ne a n

i di ti
v n ca f th on t g ri S
o C t g ri e d l ca e o pp es . ee a e o es, a n a so .

92 9 -

d Sy th ti J dg m t ( K t ) A j dg m t th t
.

A l ti
na y c an n e c u en s an u en a

ffirm pr di t t i d i th m i g f i t bj t
.

a s a e ca e co n a n e n e ea n n o s su ec

m r ly
,

or e e ly it i a na lyti if i t ddse s w p s a na c a s a ne re

bj t y th ti M tt r r i t i
,

di t t
ca e th o e su ec s n e c. a e es s s s

M tt r i pt th t h lw y
,

analyt i i t hi c n s sen se a e s a c on ce a as a a s

t k d phil
as e p h y i y th ti oso s s n e c

A th r p m rphi m ( i t h r g rd f t h i ti h yp th i ) t h
.

n o o o s n e e a o e s c o es s e

pr ti f i i g G d ft r wr thf l
,

ac ce o h m
con c e v n m d l o a e a u an o e as a u
j l rr w p r lity t
,

i di ti
e a ou s , v n c v e, a s a na o e so n a e c

A ti m ( K t ) A p i r f pr p i ti
.
,

n no y an h t ll ami g o o os o n s , e ac o a see n

li d whi h rt tr di t ry pr di t f th m
.

va c a sse c on a c o e ca es o e sa e

bj t E g th w rld h d b gi i g— th w rld h d
,

su ec e o a a e nn n e o a

b gi i g K t tr t d f f r ll g d gr t ti
. . .

t
no a e nn n . an ea e o ou a e e ea an
 G LOSS ARY
no mi B t
es ti mi u pp r i ll bj t f th ght
an no es a ea n a o ec s o ou

wh t r r g H g l I rythi g w pit t
.

a ev e u es e e n ev e n e ca n o n o

t r di ti pp it ttri b t Hi di l ti i b d
, .

c on a c on s or o os e a u es s a ec c s as e

ll g d bi q i ty f t r di ti
.

on thi s a e e u u o con a c on s

r
.

App ear ance M yb d i tw a ( )

1 Th
e use t f m n o sen ses : a o a o e or

p i h w tr t d with R li ty Th th h g
.

l ess s ec ou s s o con as e ea us e c an

i bl fl t r t d by Pl t wi th th Id
.

i g n sen s w e ux as c on as e a o e eas

t di t ry il p t r t d by
.

Th us con ra m ti c o o on , e v s a ce a re c on as e

Br dl y with th Ab l t ( 2 ) A m i g yt hi g th t
,

a e e so u e s ea n n an n a

p r r r r b
.

app i
ea r s i n ou r e x i t h l g g i e y d i
en ce o rt n e a e e on s e on

S h App r r p
.

uc g l
ea a n ces , d d e ti m co ou sou n s ace , an e,

r l b t m y b r g rd d m d f R li ty
. .
, ,

a re no t u n ea u a e e a e as o es o ea
whi h i g i ly r l d i th w y Th f t th t
,

c s en u n e ev ea e n e se a s e ac a

t hi gr p rd r i whi h it h w
.

s d th een an e s a ce -ot e n c s o s, a re n o

l d t h m fr m pl i th r l
,

lf fi
’

se su d t
cz en t o es n o e xc u e e o a a ce n e ea

U i r Cf pp 2 88 9 d pp 32 8 9 R lity i t lf i
n v e se - an - ea se n a
w rd pp r
. . . . .
,

o ca n t fi it
a ti t
ea ev en o n e sen en s

App r pti Th r i lw y mpli f yi g f

, .

e ce on . e e d t i
s a a s an a n o sense - a a n

th epr f p r p ti
o ce ss oI pr i fi
e ce th g h t h on e ce v e a r e, ou e

d li gh t h wi g g i t t h
.

d t m m y b
se n se - a u ly a e on a re s o n a a ns e

d rk a I p r i wi th t h i d f my p t Thi mplif yi g
e ce v e e a o as s a n

ri hly p r l w y f m ti g p ri
.
.
,

thi s c e so n a i a o ee n sen se -ex e e n ce , s

r f rr d t wh w
e e e o th t rm en pp r pti e u seApp e e a e ce on
”
er

h w w rk f r ti i m gi i g th
.

cep t i on l th
s o s a so e o o c ea ve a n n ; e

co mpl bj t pp r i d b i g m r ll ti f
ex o ec a e ce v e e n no e e co ec on o

l r ti
“
b t
”
d t
sen se - a a a n d di ti t l id s nc oose ea s, u a n ov e c ea on

whi h p ri d r i d d i p i ti
,

i n c sen se -e x e en ce an ev v e s os on s

l
coa e s ce

th Cr ti ( Cf P rt III Ch p IV ) Th dri i i ti
.

App l u se, e ea v e. a a e ve n a

ti g r ti W rld Sy t m
. . . .

n c ea l ti fv e ev o u f th
on o our o - s e o r on e o e

i n nu m r bl th r e a e o e s.

A ssoc ai ti i m Thon s i w t h t gi rt i
e d t
v e d a v en ce a n sen se - a a , an

rt i l w f r i l d i ti f th p r t di ti t
.
,

ce a n a s o ev v a an a sso c a on o e se a a e, s nc

tr bl t th m ll th r t f p y hi l li f
“
id e as a cea e o e a e es o ou r s c ca e

b d ri d fr m t h M t l h mi try
,

ca n e e ve t d t o ese a n e ce en s en a c e s

h r t ri rt i rg Mill th mbi i g
.

c a ac e i ti
ses c e a n as soc a on s , u es e co n n

r p li k t h m l d i whi h
,
“
id easg t i g m l
en e a n co e xe s u n e e se v es a n n c

t h y di pp r
e Th f
sa ti ea f thi i w h b e t t un c on o s v e as e en , n o o

riddl b t t f rth r di i
.

l
so v e a e u o u e s cu s s on

Ath i m Hyp th i t h t th Gr d f ph r g rd d
, .

es o es s m a e oun o en o ena , e a e

wh l i t mp ti bl wi t h b li f i
.

as a o e, i I
s no co n sc ou s s co a e e e n a

M y b i d li ti m t ri li ti
.

fi i g dn te g d o or o s t a e ea s c, a e a s c, e c.

i w w hi h r r li ty i t pl r li ty f
.

At mi m
o s Th l
e v e c e so v es ea n o a u a o

ry m ll i t f t i r it
.

a to m s or v e s d
a un s o e x e n s on an e s s a n ce
”

t mi m r
.

P hi l
syc ca l a o it i t s ll ti f l
e so v es n o a co ec on o e e

m t ry p y hi l
en a i s c ca un ts
t r l g t whi h mpri
.

Att rac ti - mpl on co A ex tw

na u a a en c co se s o or

m y b rdi t g t dr w t g t h r by m l f rt h r
.

an su o na e a en s a n o e e u t ua u e

a n ce. O Att r i f pp 50 3 5 16 17 t
n ac t o n , o . .
,
-
, e c .
608 W ORLD AS IM AGINATION THE

Aw i g
ar n I w r t t wh I f l b r
a a e a con en en ee a u n or see a
l r rt II Ch p II 2
.

c o ou O w i g. ti f n P a ar n as ac v e, c . a . a . .
,

A ti i ty
” ”
C i
o n sc ou sn ess , d 12 an c v
m pl i b ti f l if I
.
,

B eau ty A y t t t t
n c on e n or c on en -co ex s ea u u
r t i i t wi th j y ti fi d wi thi th li mi t f th
. ,

can es n a o sa s e n e s o e

mpl ( P rt II Ch p II
”
co ex . a . a . .

C t b li C t b li m S A b li m
a a o c, a a o s ee na o s
th K P r j dgi g p t r g rd d
. .

C t g i
a e or es, ti e an an u e or u n c on ce s e a e

p r Cf pp 9 2
.

as a m g th p oni i di t i f e ai r or c on on s o ex e en ce

f d wi th th t g ri f Ari t tl
. . .

10 1 N t t b o o e con u se e ca e o es o s o e or

Mill ( p
.

f hi m lf ri pti f
.

C ausa su i or A h l ti d
c a u se o se sc o as c es c on o

y t m f S pi z wh h w r
, .

G d m d
o f i th a e u se o n e s s e o no a , o, o ev e

w r lt i
,

d oes n otm t h t G d i Hi ea n ti m a i o s s o n esu n a e -su cce s s on

( Of p p k f th Ab l t r lt
.

H g l l e e a so s ea s o e so u e as esu
”

l gi l r g rd
. .
,

b ti u n a ly o ca e a on

rdi g t Mill i th
.

C ausa ti Aon ca u se , a c co t d t n o s e a n ec e en or

rr whi h it ! th
. , ,

th e c on cu f t d t en ce o t! i a n ec e en s , on c e ev e n s

i nv a ri bly d a di ti lly an q t (L gi Bk u n c on on a co n se u en o c, III

U di ti l h r m
. . .

h
c v t di ti
n co n l on a e e ea n s n o c on on a on

rr th r di ffi l t
. .

th e o ccu f t d t
e n ce O t hi o o e a n ece en s n s cu

pr bl m f pp 3 4 3 76 4 67 73 C b r Willi m
.

”
o e c - - a u se , o se v e s a

lt r t k w gd mp t y p d t l
. . .
, ,
“
Jm a i es , s an a a o a n un no n o an e e es a

m rki g th pl h p d f
,

a n f t t
e W h
a ce o
gh t a o e -
or s a u e
”
e a v e s ou

pply th t t
.

t o su e s a ue

Of pp 3 77 85 di r t t t h f t th t
.

Ch an ce Ch - a n ce ec s u s o e ac a

th r h pp i g i t h d t il f w rld h g i th r
. . . .

e e a re a en n s n e e a o o -c an es n e e

expr i g wid p rp ess n d ri bl fr m ri gi d l w b t

a e u ose n or e va e o a s, u
ill t r ti g
us p t ity i m gi l i h r t r
a n a s on a n e a na n c a ac e

C rt i p ri b r g rd d k w
.

C g i ti
o n on h e a n ex e en ce s av e ee n e a e as no
t r ti g t h with m r f li g d
.

i g thi g
n d n s, a n a s c on as n us e e ee n an

c on ati h b l b ll d g i ti
on , av e B t e en g i ti a e e co n ve
”
u co n on

rl p ll mi r di ti ti f thi ki d E f li g
.

ov e a s a no s nc on s o s n . v en ee n s
” “
and th ti tti t d
e c on a g i d d
ve a t h g i ti u e a re co n se an e co n on

t t hi g p rt fr m t h p ri
,

f th m i
o e s no a th m l n a a o e se e x e en ces e se v e s

r t f l t ri i g p t f
.

C ti
on a A
on m f th na e or e u n es u or s v n as ec s o c on

li f p
.

i
s c ou s g li t i i m l
e, e i ti t Fvo A t i i t y d on , u s e, ns nc or c v an

Will f pp 19 7 2 03 It i i mp rt t t t gg r t p t
. . .

c - s o an no o e xa e a e as ec s

p ri i t i d p d t
. . .
,

f
o ex g e g i ti d
e n ce , e ti co n on a n co n a on , n o n e en en

rdi t p w r C i lif i lw y ti b t t
. .

c o -o na e o e s on s c ou s e s a a s ac v e, u no

t ri i g bt l big r m
.

s lv n u n es s o s a c es a r e e n ov e co e

p i l f lty i l t d fr m
.

“
C once pt C i i g i on c e v n s no s ec a a cu so a e o

th r pt i b tit t f t r t d by i m gi i g
.

o e sTh e c o n ce s a su s u e- a c c ea e a n n

whi h i t h t d i
.

t o m m thi g lea n f so e n e se or c t en , s a n s n ou r

j dgi g C pt lw y r r
,

u n f o n ce li t i t h s t h a re a a s o ea es o e an

Wh h i mpli d r liti d t i t
.

th m l e s e v es . en t ese e ea es o no ex s ,

th y m y b
e mm d d t a i e d w co th h th
an e o e x st , an e, en , av e e

C mm d C
o pt ( P rt I Ch p II
an - once whi h i f gr t a a c s o ea

i mp r t
. . .

o a n ce .
6 10 THE W OR LD AS IMAG INATION
sexua l r p
desi e : th e ac com a n yi n g te n si on bei ng h e e st on gly r r
ma ed rk .

Bergson s a ccoun t of h ow consciousness detencls ,

’
Detensi on
p fr r r r p
.

or asses om te n si on i n to th e n a tu a l o de a n d s a ce, i s
n oted a n d c i ti cised , r 4 53 -8 pp
w
. .

Determini sm Th e v i e t h a t a ll ch a nges , in cludi ng t h ose classed

p r
.

as h en omen a of th e hu ma n wi ll, a re n ec essa y ev ents i n

th e w rk
o i n g of igi d la s r w
pp
.

Dial ecti c, th e Hegeli a n ( f

C 1 0 1-3 1 2 0 -5 45 9 -6 0

r pr p
. . .
, , ,

Th e so ca lled un i v e sal i n ci le of mov e me n t , a n a ll eged

”
-

rr b p w r f r r
i e si sti le o e m a n i est t h ou gh ou t a ll d oma i n s of e a li t y
r fl pp
.

Con t a di c t i o n — t h e c o n i c t o f o o s i t e s — s a ys Hegel , i s
b
a ov e a ll th a t w wr
hi ch m ov e s th e o ld Th e i ma gi na l pr in
b f r
.

c i ple o f mov e m en t i s t h e su sti tute for di a lecti c o fe ed

by u s
b f r fr r
.

Diff erenti ati on Th e ecomi n g di fe en t of a t h ing om othe

pr p fr r
.

thi n gs , a n d of i t s a t s o r a s ec t s, a ls o , o m o n e a n ot h e

f fr r r w
.

A sel -di f e en ti a ti n g sys te m is a n o de e d h ole , th e

p
a s ec ts or pr w b
a t s of r r r
hi ch ec ome mo e a n d mo e di ff e en t
fr r
o m o n e a n ot h e S ee Integrati on
p fr p pr r
. .

Disposi tions D e osi ts om a st ex e i en ce said to be ev i v ed,

r f pr p
.

t o e n te i nto , a n d modi y, n ew e x e i en ce Th ese di s osi

b w fr pr
.

t i o n s, len din g i n ti ma t ely i th t h e es h se n se -ex e i en ce ,

sh o w p w
a p la s ti ci ty of a d a t a ti o n r b r
hi ch i s v e i ta ly c ea ti v e
r pr
.

We m a y sa y th a t th e e i s a setti n g i mp rovi sed in t he ocess

of a pp r p r w rk
e ce t i on ; c e a t i v e i ma gi ni n g i s a t r o e v en he e

p
( 157 r
S ee Appe cepti on
V w wr f pr p
. .

Dualism i e th a t th e o ld i s a ma n i es ta t i on of t wo i n ci les ,
pr r p r
.

u su a ll y st a te d a s S i i t a n d Ma tte , or S iri t a n d En e gy
w f w pr
.

Eclecti cism Th e sele ctin g ( hi ch ma y ollo a e i od of con

r w p p
.

st u cti on hi ch h as e xh a u sted genui n e hiloso hi ca l i ni ti a

f r fr
t i v e ) of ea tu es r r
om sev e a l di ffe en t t h ou gh t -s yste ms a nd

buildi n g a n ew w rw
h ole t h e e i th b pr
Th e a u se of t hi s a c ti ce

r r
.

i s Syn cretism : a n u n c i ti ca l mi xi n g , o r tossi n g togeth e ,

r
o f do ct i n es dev oi d of t r ue con n exi on

pr k w
.

“
Ej ect A c on sci ou s ex e i en ce li e hi s own hi ch ma n ej ects
pr pp
.

o r la un ch es i ma gi n a ll y in to e cei v ed thi n g s ( 59
j rr p w r
.

E ects ma y or m a y n ot co es on d it h ea li ty
pp
.

Electron A n a me gi v en to th e su ose d ulti ma te u ni t of

r b r r
.

or mi ni ma l i n di vi si le ( Cf
” ”
ele ct i ci t y, e lec t i c c h a ge

pp
. .

323
pr k w b r w
.

Empiri cal Em i i ca l n o ledge h a s e en con t a sted i th

k w w r fr pr
.

a n a p ri or i n o ledge hi ch i s n o t de i v e d om e x e i en ce
w w r pr f
.

In K a n t s v i e , h o ev e , ex e i e n ce i tsel is con di ti on ed by
’

a pr i ori f r a ct o s pr
It i s i m o t a n t t o n ot e th a t , on the li nes
p r p pr
.

o f t h e i ma gi n a l h y ot h esi s , we must es e ct e x e i en ce a n d

lea n r fr pr
om ex e i en ce ,w hi ch , i n de ed , c on ta i ns a g i v en

pr ov i ded by t h e Cosmi c Ima gi ni n g i t sel f r On t he othe

pp r
.

“
h a n d, thi s g i v e n
”
i s a e c ei v e d
”
b y u s , e ac h i n hi s
 GLOSSARY
ow w y n d ba ppl m t d i d fi i t ly by
an ca n l
e su e en e n e n e nov e
r ti thi ki g f
,

c ea ve w n n o ou r o n

A f t pr p ri pp r
.

Em i i l f t
p r ca ac t i ac es en n ex e en ce , an a ea a n ce

f whi h th r i b h r i
.

o c h w i g
e e s , or w f as een , a ar n as t e e s no o
l r
,

t hi d th t
s c o ou i an a n o se

U d h r t m th t tr th (
.

Em i i i m R di l
p r cs a ca se e e o ea n a u as c on
t d wi h m r t r h l i m ) m t r t i l t r rt
.
,

t ra s e t e e ut -c a us es n as eso on
r b w
, ,

i
ex er ence o
p f t h li t i hi h t t em t ea m d es a ou t c s a e en s a re a e.

E n er y
g A ry i mp rt t im gi l r tive o pt d
an a na c ea on or c on ce u se

( Cf pp 4 3 8 3 13 2 0 4 19 2 5 4 57 4 87 90
.

i n i sc e n ce - - - -

b dfi d p ity f w rk
. .
.
, , , , ,

5 34 H as een e ne as ca ac or o or as

ry hi g whi h b pr d d fr m w rk whi h
ev e t n c ca n e o u ce o o or c ca n
b tr e f rm d i t it ( O tw ld) T k t ri ly it
ans o e n o s a a en oo se ous
l d t b d m t ph y i
.
,

ea s o a e a s cs.

Epi ph m
eno C i
en on pr i m tim r g rd d
on sc ou s o ce ss s so e es e a e as
m r mp i m f p h y i l pr wi th t y
.

a e e a cco an en t o s ca ocess , ou an

cau sa l i fl i n w u en ce o n i h f h
ts o n su cce ss on s or o n t ose o t e

phy i l pr s ca I i i rt
o ce ss p t f h ph y i l t e x st s a s a n ne a s ec o t e s ca

ph m i pi p h m
.

”
en o en a , s an e en o e n on

Th ry f k wl dg whi h i i mpli d by
.

Epi t m l
s e o ogy. eo o y no e e c s e an

O t l gy
n o o M p hy i whi h i q i r i or et a th g rl
s cs c n u es n to e en e a

h r
c r f R li y d h
a a cte o di g f i t m r i mp r t t
ea t an t e st a n n o s o e o an
pp r
,
”
a ea a n ces

ll g d p
.

Eth er, h A t e filli g m di m

n a e e ti g ll s a ce- n e u co n n ec n a
t r l ph
.
,

na u a m ll y h ld t en o b ti
en a , d
u su a e o e c on nu ous an

su pp d t p ose rt i i mpl d if rm q li ti
o osse ss ce a n s e an un o ua es
whi h c tcan d s er v ef th g a i f th
n ee to a c cou n t or e e n es s o e
p r i d i bl rd r A i m gi l r i ( r ti )
e ce v e sen s e o e n a na c e a t on o r c ea ons

d w d i pr wi h r di t ry pr p rt i ( pp 3 2 0
.

en o i
e n ac t ce t c on t a c o o e es

E d m i m Vi w h t th d f r bl ti ght t
.

u ae on s e t a e en o eas on a e ac o n ou o
b th w ll b i g f lf h r t i mply
.

e e e d - e n Thi d o o n ese an ot e s s o es n o

p r i t f h m r b tr ti
.

th h d i i id l f
e e on s t c ea o a u su o t e e e a s ac on
pl r ea su e h ppi or a n ess
”

r f r
.

E l ti
vo u A
on g l y d t m tva t m
ue i g t h dus e i e oo o en ea n n e e va
f h h i gh r d ri h r fr m th l w r d p r r
.
,

i
t on o t e e an c e o e o e an oo e
Cf pp 4 11 15 Wh i m t by E l ti Cr ti
.

- at s ea n vo u on ea ve
d t l gth i P r III
. .
,

E l ti vo u i di on s scusse a en n a t
( 1) th Ab l E p ri
.

E p i
x er ence m y m a ea n i th e so u te x e en c e as n e

wri i g f m id li t ( 2 ) h i w rd d tw rd
t n s o so e ea s s ; t e n a an ou a
pr i
esen t , whi h I m w r f l r n c d t ka a a e o co ou s , so u n s , s oc s ,
t dr m t h h m ti li ti o ot
t d
“

s on es, ea s, ac e, e o on s , vo ons , e c. ; an

m r o e rr wly ( 3 ) h
na i bl p r p t l fi ld
o lyt It
e s ens e e ce ua e on

rm
.

w i thias n th th s sen se ti li t d th at e s ensa on a s s u se e te

wh th y d ri d en e p y hi l lif f m e ve ti our s c ca e ro se n s a on s

( whi h l f b hi d th m m h w di ti t i d l b r t d
“ ”
c e t e n e so e o s nc eas e a o a e

a n on by l w f i ti a ) S s o i f hi
a ssoc a r on e n sa t on s o t s so t a re

b tr ti f ly i f ri p y h l gy
.

a s ac ons o l a na s s o no v a ue to se ous s c o o

or m t ph y i e a Th p r pt l fi ld i s cs i m i
e e ce ua e s a co n t nuu n

whi h m r ly
.

c ti sen sa d t on s e e sta n ou .
6 12 WORLD AS IMAGINATION
THE

N t h ry f o p y hi l lif m t rl k ( 1) th t ry
eo o ou r s c ca e us ov e oo a ve

m h f th uc t t f
o m t r
e c on e n i lif i ob i ly our a u e c on sc ou s e s o v ou s

t d ri
no d di r tly fr m
e ve r d p ri — lti ec o c u e ex e en ce n ov e es

b d d ( 2 ) th t p ri
a ou n ; an i m i gi a lly ex e en c e , as t co es or na

pr t gr t pr bl m rt i l y t t b l d th
,

esen s a ea o e , ce a n no o e so v e on e

li f t mi ti
n es o a o ti li ms c s e n sa on a s

F ll th M t p h y i l Th d t f t h W rld Id Gr d
.

e a s ca -
a e e e sce n o e o ea or an

I M G N L i t ti m ( Cf pp 4 5 8 9
.
,

A I A in o d fli t e -su c ce ss on a n con c . . .
-
,

4 60
F li g
ee n s A m bi g t rmn a m ti m m i g ( 1 ) th
u ou s t t e so e es ea n n e co n en s

p ri f li g
.

fo ex e Mill en ce , t t f
’
s i
“
ee n s or s a es o c ons c ousn ess
”
;
(2 ) m ti m so pl r d p i
e es ly Th r
e a su es th r an a ns on . e e a re o e
u ses Th t t i th ly g i d
e c on e x s e on u e

i w th t r g rd t h w rld pr i g
. .

Fi li m
na s Th e v e a e a s e o as ex e ss n a

pl m r ly r li d i th id w rld B rg ri ti i
.

an e e ea se n e sa o e son c c ses

b li f i pl rd i d mpl ly i d d m r ly
.

e e n a an o a ne co ete n a v a n ce , a n e e

t d i t h w rld rd r
e xecu e n e o -
o e

fl wi g f t i tim
.

Fl ux Th e o n i o e v en s n e -su ccess on

F r pt th b dy f whi h i t f f li g f
. .

o ce. A c on c e e o o c c on s s s o o ur ee n s o

m l r ff t
u scu a It i i m gi l r ti
e or dd s an t t d a na c ea on a n oes n o s an

p r Of pp 4 1 3 3 08
.

f or y i d
an d t t i t
n y ie N t
en en en n a u e -

Vit l F r f pp 555 6
. . .
, .

F or a o ce c -

G d A w rd f m y m i g ( p 5 67 hi f th t r
. . .

o o o Th
an ea n n s e c e a c once n

d P rf ti
. .

( 1) t h
u s a re : m t t l f ll R li ty e su - o a o a ea an e ec on
”

i d
c on ce v e p l Thi i th
as h l i Th i m ri ti i d
erson a s s e sc o a s t c e s c c se

pp 4 9 6 1 ( 2 ) Ab l t p rp r l E p ri
.
,

-
so u e (3 ) A su e e son a x e e n ce .

fi it b t ry lt d p w r th lif
. .

n e, u ve i
e xa f e t t l o e e c on s c ous e o a o a

p rti l r W rld Sy t m ( Cf pp 509 pr

,

a cu a o -
(4 ) A ys e n su e

lt d wi d m b d p w r
. . .

h m u g t i an a en o fi e xa e s o en e ce n ce , a n o e

Th Gr d f ph i t h t whi h i l d
.
,

G roun d e m ou n o th en o en a s a c nc u es e

ph m d i wi d r th th W rld Gr
.

en o en a a n th m Th s e d an e us e o - oun

f S h p h r i Will f H g l th I f B h r
.

o c o en aue s o e e e D EA, o uc n e
M tt r f S p r th U k w bl f thi
,
”
a e o en ce y th e n no a e, o s e ssa e

( Cf P rt I Ch p I
,

C mi Im gi ti
os c Im gi l Ia na on or a na D EA a a

O t h Gr d f App r ) L i b itz
. . . . .

m
”
n e ou n Ph o ea a n ces or en o en a e n
pl i i g ph m w pl r li t i th t h pp d
,

i n ex a n n en o en a , as a u a s n a e su os e

t Gr
no ad b t Gr d th i fi i t ly m y m
ou n u d
ou n E h s, e n n e an on a s ac

t h ph f whi h ( wh wr
.

t i
con a n s m e en o i ) i t i
en a o c en c on s c ous s a a e

Pr i i p l Of p 3 50
.

G roun d dC an f
onsequen ce, nc e o

f p y hi l t di g t r p t i t lf
. . . .

H bit A
a c our s e o ti s c ca ac on en n o e ea se or

m rk d by f r r r
.

a te y A m f
c on s a n c t i m i d t i o o cons e v a on a c ea ve

h g (p
.

c an e

H d i m Th thi l i w whi h l b l right if th y

.

e on s e e ti ca v e c a e s ac on s e

b r th high t p ibl d gr f pl r bl li i g f
.

su se v e e es o ss e e ee o ea su a e v n o
r l
ou se v es a n d th r o e s

H t r p thi L w f C Cf pp 3 6 1 3
.

e e o a ti
c a s o ausa on -

Cf P r t I Ch p II Mill p i t
. . .

H p th i
y o es s . . 1 2 3 4 5 6
a . a t . .
, , , , , . o n s ou

t h t h yp th
a li mi t d by i m gi i g b t h h
o ese s a r e mi d e a n n u e as sse

mpl t t r th b t t h m
,

th e co e e u a ou e .
6 14 WORLD AS IM AG INATION
THE

I fi it th
n n e, Of P rt II Ch p III
e 7 a a

f th W rld Id Gr d
. . . . . .

I iti l Si t ti
n a th
ua Th on,t t e e s a e o e o - ea or an

Im gi l b f r th M t ph y i l F ll
.

a na e o e e e a s ca a

h ld t b pr
.

Inna e t id Id eas t t th
ea s mi d i d
e o e ese n o e n n e
p d tly f p ri
.

en en o ex e e n ce

m mb r p i ( ith r i
.

I ti t
ns nc A ti mm c t on , f
co on o e e s o a s ec es e e n
p rt q it i d p d t f t hi g ) whi h r mbl th
.

a or u e n e en en o ea c n c ese es e

p r it f d b t whi h i mp i d by l r
,

u su o en s , u c s a cco an e no c ea
p rp i r pr t ti f th id d
,

so m t i m by e es n o, u os v e e esen a on o e sa en s

b r f r r
.

m
’
Th y e g i d
oun i t i t t fl y y b s t h dnsb y i t nc o a e u e e s

p r t d h w m i t ti t r h gi p i t
a e n s, an s o so e n en on o ea c a v en o n
w p whi h p r ly ri k t t f d i t
.

Th i ti t f
e ns nc o a as c a a ses c c e s o ee s

l ra v ae i i d p d t f t s n hi g
e d m y l
en en b d id f
o ea c n an a a so e ev o o

p p whi h l d t p t d
,

i
con sc ou s B t i ti t ur ose u ns n c s, c ea o re ea e

wi ll r ly b tt d d ft r whi l wi th m
.

ac ti on s , su e e a en e a e a e so e

r pr t ti f th d t b ght A bird p iri g d

e e se n a on o e en s o e sou a n an

t li k ly t b q i t wi t h
.

n es ti g f thn d tim i
or e s econ t e s no e o e u e ou

su s pi i f th r lt f it ti H m i ti t m rg
c on o e esu s o s ac on u an ns nc s e e

r pidl y i t p p i i w f
.

’
a n o d t ( Cf f B g
ur o s v e con uc or e r son s v e o

i ti t pp 5 60
. .

ns nc

Sp r t r m f th t r ti f M tt r
.
,
’
I t g ti
n e ra on . en c e s e or e con cen a on o a e

i t r l ti ly di r t wh l
n o e a ve d b wh l d ri g E l
sc e e o es a n su - o es u n vo u
ti on ( Cf p Thi I t gr ti i mp i d by s n e a on s a c co an e

Di ff r ti ti th b mi g di ff r t f t h wh l fr m
. . .

e en a on , or e e co n e en o e o es o

o th r w h l e d f th i r p rt
o es , a n p t fr m o th re a s or a s ec s o on e a n o e

Th hi t ry f gg wi t h b i rt h f hi k f rih
.

e s o o an e o a c c en u n s es a n
i ll tr ti
us a on .

I t ll t li m S m ti m
n e ec ua s (l ) l b l f o t dp i t whi h
e es a a e or s an o n s c

mph i f r p r
.

e a s se
p i i t a i i r or g t h i t l
ac o s n ex e en ce , e e n e

ip m t i f m l m t dr w fr m
. .

l t i d by
”
ec u s se , sa so e o n or e e en s a n o

sense ( 2 ) Th tti t d whi h r e t th i mp rt

a u e c ov e -a ccen s e o

f r ti U i r t ti g ll
.

a n ce o l th gh t i a th on a ou n e n v e se , es n a

all g d r li ty by
e e i t ll t l
ea ri t ri whi h m y b n e e c ua c e a c a e

I t iti
n u I t i ti i m A
on, n u t r th f i t i ti
on s f Mill i u o n u on or s o ne

rt i d by di t w i g I w r th l r f thi
.

a sce a ne r ec a ar n as a a e e c o ou o s
t bl t r t wi th t r th ( t r th l i m ) r
,

a It e co n as s h d by u s or u -c a s e ac e

fr m th r tr th All g d tr th f i t i ti
.

i f n eren ce o o e u s e e u s o n u on
ft rt d h w r by p p l r writ r r ligi i t
.

a re o en a sse e o ev e o u a e s, e on s s ,

wh i h i g r f l ify th
, ,

m th m t i i
a e m y ti
a t
c a n s, s cs , e c c no e , or a s e

d li r f di r t p ri fli t with
.
,

e v e a n ce s o d ec ex e en ce , an c on c on e

th r i ti g k wl dg
,

a no d e an ev en e x s I t i ti f thi n no e e n u on s o s
rt h br ght th t rm i t di r p t Th p i t f i m
.

so av e ou e e n o s e u e e o n o

p rt i t k w wh t tr th b di r tly w
.

o a n ce s o no d a u s a re or c a n e ec a a re

I w r l r p i f t r f rdi rily
,

as a a e a co ou th mm a n , or e co on ea u es o o na
p r i d thi g ( S Ill mi i m P rt I I tr d ti
,
”
e ce v e n s ee u n s a n o uc on ,

d Hyp th i t h pr d r d ir bl
. .
,

5 I t i ti n u fon a n o es s ,
”
or e oce u e es a e

h ki g ll g d i t i ti ) S h p h r d B rg
,

i n c ec n a e e n u on s c o en aue an e so n

t t h w i gh t t
.

“ i ll
a ac i t i ti
e oy gi n uy on s as conv e n occa s ona
 GLOSS ARY
im p rt t g r l tr th d th y ri ght B t w m t
o an en e a u s, a n e a re u e us
r w
.

g o vey i ly i d d ar n ee
t r th f wri t r Wh w ll h ld
.

“ h
Th i t i ti
e n u ve u s o e s su c as e e a re e

t p o p li r rt i ty i th t th y q i t with
osse ss a e cu a ce a n n a e ac ua n us
a p i i i
r ord g m t h m t
ea s, ei l , di r t ly ppr h a d d ed a ca ec a e en e an

t d ri bl fr m p ri
. .
,

no e va e o f i t
se ns e -ex e en ce , a s a re , or n s a n ce , our

b li f b t th h bit f fr g th d i g f r t ll
e e s a ou e a s o o s or e o n s o a e -c o ec

t ors. Hr w e e ry d b t bl gr d W r p t
e a re on v e e a a e ou n e e ea
r l t r th q i r ry
.

th t a ll g d a i t i ti
e e f g n u on s o en e a u s re u e ve

r f l mi ti S lf d pti i thi d m i h b
ca e u e xa na on e - ece on n s o a n as ee n

ry fr q t
.

ve e u en
A j dgm t f p r p ti whi h
.

J dgm t
u en u g Ien d o e ce on , e s ee re c

m r ly mph i p t withi r li ty
. . .
,

e e e l t as ses or se ec s an as ec n ea as

t m i f Mill t r th
’
di ly p
rect resen t o f i t i ti
e, s on e o s u s o n u on

whi h c t b f l
ca n n o B t j dg m t e t th
a se g r t d u u en s , n o us ua a n ee
m k ly t r t h l i m b t r lity d m y b tr
. ,

a e on u -c a s a ou ea an a e u e or
fl pit
,

a se M i t d i Mi an ti m
ex s e i i n ocen e es s a c a se n o n

pt f thi ki g
. .

J dgm t u ten s , no th it
c on c e s, a re e un s o n n

t g ri l hyp th ti l
.

Th m
e i g f J dg m t
ea n n s o u en s , ca e o ca o e ca

f r
, ,

fli m ti
a r a g ti t
v e, ne a t b di d
v e, e c t i t i ly ca n n o e s cu ss e sa s ac o

p rt fr m p y h l gi l id r ti i m pli
.
,

a a o s c o o ti g t hca con s e a on s ca n e

exp i t wh er en s fr t m k th m ( S F C S S hill r
o c on on or a e e ee c e

F m l L gi pp 134 5 1 Th F rm
.
. . .
,

or a o c, f J - Th e o s o e

rb l pr i f th J dgm t i th Pr p iti B t
.
,

ve a ex ess o n o e u en s e o os on . u
B i b r th t rm J dgm t t k
,

as a n o se v e s , e t f the u en a es a ccou n o e

bj
su i l m t f fi m i
ect ve e e th en i mpli ti o f th
a r a t on , e ca on o e

i di i d l mi d f h ffi m i t h pr w hi h i m ”
n v ua n o t e a r er n e oc e s s , c

pli ti ca l t on ,
”
dd er ly firm th i w th t
us a su e c on s e v e a a

p y h l gi l tr tm t f J dgm t t b i g r d by
,

s c o o ca ea en o u en ca n n o e no e

L gi o c.

Ki dn s, n a u at r l Cl wh m mb r di ff r fr m m mb r
asses ose e e s e o e e s
f th r l i r p t f r di lly di ti t tt ri b t
.

o o e c a sse s n es ec d o a ca s nc a u es a n
th i d fi i t ly m y
e n e n b rdi t ttri b t i mpli d C l r
e an su o na e a u es e o ou s
m mb r f
.

and d li
sou n dm s, on s a n h l en , a r e e e s o su c c a sses

r ig th ri ty th S t t
.

L w
a ( 1) A mm d f co an o a so v e e n au o e a e,

f r d t d by p i h m t Thi l g l tr t
.
,

en o ce a n ee un s en s e a sen se co n as s

with ( 2 ) if rmi ty f d i N t r
.

a un o w ti t
oun n a u e or o u r o n se n en

li f e. B t th r u L w whi h w di t t r li ty w ll
e e a re a s c e c ta e o ea as e

as th b r d th r ( Cf pp 389 92 d l wh r )
ose o se v e e e. - an e se e e

f pr f
. . .

L gi F Mi ll ( 1) th
o c. or i id
e h m
sc en ce o oo o r ev en ce ,
”
a u an
d i e v ce f h ki g thor c rr t ec f i f r
n d d ti
e co ec n ess o n e e n ces , e uc ve
and i d ti n b t h i g l
uc v e, rt i th r ti i t t f
u av n a so a ce a n eo e c n eres o
it sw o S hill r w ld r pl
n c eb tr t f rm l l gi by ou e ac e a s ac o a o c

p y h l gi i l gi whi h m k pp l t p y h l gy
.

”
s c o o c, e. a o c c a es a ea o s c o o

f ly W m y gg thi d fi iti f L gi br h f
.

ree e a su es t s e n on o o c, a anc o

p y h l gy t ti g f th pr whi h i i i f r
.

s c o o rea n o e oc ess es c ss ue n n e en ce ,
and h i g p i l r g rd t th
av n s ec a ig i f pr f
e a (2 ) F o e ex en c es o oo or

b ll with mi thi ki g—th t f th

.

H g l L gi d l
e e o c ea s , a ov e a cos c n n a o e

( f pp 8 6 whi h h r g rd r ti l
,

I DEA c . . c e e a s as a ona .
”
6 16 THE W ORLD AS IM AGINATION
Hen ce Logi c i s e q i l t t O t l gy th i
u v a en o n o o e sc en ce of Ul ti ma te
f
,

Rea li ty i ts el
pp
.

Looseness of thi ngs Cf, Con tin ui ty a n d Looseness, . .

3 3 3 -6
r p
.

Love, Cosmi c Of Pa t II Cha II 2 5

pp w r
. . . . . .

Mass Cf .
’
3 05 -10 A co -efli cie n t
. . hi ch we i nt oduce i nto
.

ca lcul a ti on s ( P oin c a r e)
w U r
.

Ma teri alism Th e v i e th a t lti ma t e Reality i s Ma tte in

pp
.

mov emen t ( Of 36
w b
. . .

Matter A con cep t , i e i ma gin a l i nv en tion , hi ch su stit utes,

k r
. . .

i n our thi n in g, a n e n ti t y e xte n de d esi s ta n ce — for th e

sen si le b r
e a li t
y hi ch we a ctua lly e cei v e w Ma tte , sa ys pr r
r b wr
.

Mill, i s th e ele men t of esi sta n ce i n the sen si le o ld ”

r p r
.

But n othi n g mer ely esi sts a n d fills s a ce An d esi sta n ce i s

b q p r
.

n ot a n a solu te u a li t y, bu t i m li es t h e ela ti on s of a ge n ts

w hi ch ou ld n ot be w esi st a n t , if e xi stin g by t h emselv es r

pp
.

( Cf 305
wr w
. .

Mean ( 1) A o d or i ma ge mea n s h a t i t s ta n ds for or repre

k p
.

sen t s i n ou r t hi n i n g ( 2 ) Any gi v e n he no me n on i s sa id t o
rp w w f
.

mea n a n oth e h en ome n on i th hi ch i t i s ound closely

c on n e cte d : e g Wa r m ea n s a st e o f c a i t a l w p
pp
. . .

Measure, Div i ni ty of Of 445 -6

r k r r
. . . .

Mech ani sm, c a t ego y of Th e wa y of thi n i n g of eali ty i n te ms

pp
.

of mech a ni cs Cf 3 7 -8 a n d 2 94 -3 04
V w fi w w r
. . . .

Meli orism ie th a t ni t e lif e h a s a v a lue hi ch , h eth e

f r b w
.

sa t i s a ct o y to u s n ow or n ot , i s ei n g en h a n ced All i ll
w p r r f
.

be ell O ti mi sm a sse ts ou n dl y t h a t li e s v a lu e ev en
’

r p r p r
.

h e e a n d n ow c om en sa t es for i t s ills , bu t , i n es ect of g ea t

br
nu m e s of s en ti en t s , t hi s i s a n o v i ou sly a lse st a te men t b f
r f f
.

Pe ssi mi sm a v e s th a t li e h a s n o su fi ci en t v a lu e , a n d th a t
su ch v a lu e a s i t h a s t e n ds to eco me le ss a n d less b
r r p r
.

Meta ph ysics A i sto tle s Fi st Philoso h y He e i t mea n s a n

’

q r l ti ma te Rea li t y — r r U
. .

i n ui y i n to th e ch a a ct e of o f th e

U r n i v e se Is e x e i men t al Of 1-2 pr
We are a ll pp
p pp
. . . . .

meta hysi ci a n s, e v en t h e a gn osti c s ( 61

f r r p V p
.

Min d-stu f , t h eo y of Of Pa t I Ch a I 3 An a ttem t

k f r
. . . . . .

t o ma e mi n d th e ou n da ti on of t hin gs a nd then to t ea t
it a s if i t e e a ma t t e wr c on si sti n g of i ts
”
r b
p rp
.

Moments ( i n th e Hegeli a n di alecti c ) As ect s of th e t i ly

r r
.

a t i cul a ted mov e me n t of Th ough t, n ot t o be t ea te d a s

pr
s e a a te a cts , bu t a s ful ses i n a n o v e i di n g ea li ty Eg p rr r
r
. . .

Th e Idea , a n d th e Idea a s Na tu e , a re momen ts i n t he

b
A solu te Idea ( cf Di alecti c) , n ot existe n ts i n thei own r
r
.

i gh t
r p V b
.

Monad, Monadolog y Cf Pa t I Ch a I 2 , L ei ni tz a nd th e
p r
. . . . .

Hy oth esi s of th e Mon ads ”

A mon a d i s a cen t e of consci ou s
f r f
.

li e ( actu a l or vi tu a l ) existi ng i n sel -con ta i ned sin gleness

w p
i th ou t de en den ce on othe mon a ds, a nd conta i ni ng a n r
fi
i n ni ty of ei n g i thin i t sel b w f .
6 18 THE W ORLD AS IMAG IN ATION
p
h y o th esi s Na tur e i s in de e nden t of you or my v e si ons of i t , p r r
pr
bu t n ot of th e e x e i en ce of th e C I , of hi ch i t is a t In w pr
pr f r r
. . .

t hi s ex e i en ce i t i s onl y con t en t su ch a s a a n cy or ev e i e is
i n ou s ; a n r o e ct bj
o nly i n t h a t i t i s n oti ced, n ot i n th a t i t

fr
co n on t s t h e C I a s a r a di ca lly opp os ed . o ther
.
”
.

Ontolog y Cf Metaph ysi cs

fr fr p
. . .

Ontologi cal Ar gument In e s Go d om t h e con ce t of Hi m

pp p pp
.

we a re su osed to ossess ( Cf 54 . . .

Opti mi sm Of Meli orism

°

. . .

Panth ei sm w
A v i e te a chi n g th e i mma n ence, ov e idi n g a ll di s rr
Wr p
.

ti nc ti on s, of God i n th e o ld -S ystem To em h asise thus

r k
.

i mma n en ce , to t h e exclusi on of t a n scen den ce , i s t o loo a t

rea li t y w
i t h on e e ye
pp w p
.

Past, t h e v a ni shed ( 2 52 Th a t hi ch h a s assed i n to the

r p rb
.

con s erva ti v e g a s of t h e C I The Pa st see ms a lte a le

p wr rp w
. . .

Pella ti ons ( A o d use d t o d en ote e uls i on s i th out

rp k p
.

su gge sti n g why t h e e ul si on s t a e la ce

r
.

Th e mi n gli n g i n on e a n oth e 3
’
Penetr ati on, Interpen etr ati on
b p p U r
.

ei n g o f sychi ca l co n te n t s o r a g en t s i n a syc hi ca l n i v e se

p r
.

A si m le c a se i s t h a t of t wo a to ms s a i d to g av i ta te t o
‘‘ ”

r r
g th e ; t h ei mu tu a l i n u en ce oi n ts t o th ei
e esen ce i n fl p r pr
o n e a n ot h e a t a n y
“
r
di sta n ce su ch as we mea sur e by sym ols
”
b
p r
.

Cosmi c S a ce i s th e sea t of c e aseless u n es t du e to such

p r
en et a ti on s , i th w w
hi ch , also , t h e c a u sa l dyn a mi c i s oun d b
up ( Of Pa t II Cha r pV
r p rf wr
. . . . .

T h hl -mad e A o ld i s on e exi stin g

Perfect o o u g y e e ct

f r k
. .

i n such a shi on t h a t n o e ffo t of i ma gi ni ng c oul d ma e i t

bet te r
r
.

Pessi mi sm Cf Meli o i sm
. . .

Ph enomenon, Ph enomena Cf Appearance An yt hi ng th a t

wr w pr
. . .

we di sti ngui sh a nd n oti ce i n t h e i n a d or ou t a rd ese n t

is a p
h en omen on
”
Thu s we t a l of th e h en omen a of lig h t , k p
r r
.

e a soni ng , e m oti on s, gla ci e s , soci a l ev olu ti on , et c For

p
.

Ph en omenali sm, see 62

w p f br k w
. .

Philosoph y A h ole wa y of c on tem la ti n g t h e a i c of no

b U r p r
.

ledge a ou t t he ni v e se , o e n to th ose a t on ce cul tu ed a nd

r
u n mast e ed by t a di t i on a l eli e s ( Cf r l ) b f p
r U r fi
. . . .

Plurali sm esolv es t h e ni v e se i n to ma n y o r i n n i tely ma n y

i ndepen den t ulti ma tes It h as v a i ou s o ms r fr

G p b p
. .

Polyth eism Th e cul t of ma n y ods A o ssi le dev elo men t

r pp
. .

o f t h e futu e ( Cf 4 51
p p k w
. . .

Positivist Th e Comte a n wh o exal ts osi ti v e em iri ca l no

pr
.

ledge a n d i t s u tili sa ti on for soci al n eeds a n d de ec a tes

p
s ecul a ti v e meta h ysi cs p
He ca n be classed , for our pur
p w pp
.

oses , i th th e a gn osti cs ( 61 His sta tement t ha t

r p k w b U
.

t h e e ca nnot be osi ti v e n o ledge a out ltima te Rea li ty

f
i s i tsel met a h ysi cs p
It su oses Re a li ty to be such t h a t i t pp
c a n no t be n o n by u s k w .
 G LOSS ARY
Pragmatism Th e a gma ti c a tti tude , pr obse v es D S chi ll e r r r
r wr r
w
.

“
i n a lette to t he i te , is ess en t i a lly tha t hi ch i s n ot
sa ti sfied i th ‘
p w ’
b f
i dea s , s e cula ti ons , syste ms , eli e s , bu t

i nsis ts on br
i ngi ng them t o the test of t hi n gs t h ey
k r
lea d to , if ta e n as t ue a n d a cted on , v i z th ei r ‘
con se

r pr
.

But t h e tes ti ng i s mo e i m o t a nt tha n th e con

’
u
q n ce s
e

b w r
.

Hen ce th e di sti n ction et een t ut h -c la ims

’
seq u en ces

r r fr rr r
.

a nd v a li da ted t u t hs di sc i mi n a ted om e o s i s v i ta l
r fr r pr
.

As ev e y cla i m h a s to be u t h e te st ed th e a gma t i c

a tti tude i s essen ti all

y r
exp eri men ta l E v w
e y t h o u gh t h e n

pr r q r
.
,

a ct ua lly t h ou gh t , i s a n e x e i men t , ev e y i n u i y i s a

q uestion r
In t hi s sense of t he t e m t h e Wor ld a s
pr r f r
.

Ima gi na tion a g ma t i c ; i t s t u th -cla i ms a r e o f e ed

”
is
p pr
si m ly a s ex e i men ts w
For ou r v i er o f T u th of Truth

w r p r r
. .

a nd else h e e Philoso hi ca l t u t h ests on i ma gi n i ng i n so

r w
.

fa r a s t his a g ees i th i ma gi ni n g o n the c osmi c sc a le

b r p p
.

Dogma tism i s a su d , sin ce mu ch o f thi s hiloso h i ca l

p rf r pr
i ma gini n g h a s, e o ce, to be ex e i men t a l
”

b z w
.

Pro-establish ed Harmony Lei ni t s monads , hi ch do not a ct

’

r w r
.

o n on e a n oth e , sh o a h a mon h
y o f c a n gi n
g of di v i n e
r
o da i ni n g r b r
It ema i n s o scu e h ow th e God -mon a d i nflu
br
.

enc es t h ese su o di n a te mo n a ds

r k r
.

Prima y quali ti es Loc e con t a st ed the a lleged pri ma ry

q r bj r
.

ects ( c edi te d t o t h e m o n t h e e v i den ce

”
ua li ti es o f n a tu a l o

of pr
our e x e i en ces of to u ch , ex te n si o n , r w esis t a n ce ) i th
r q
seconda ry or d e i v ed r wr
u a li t i e s, c olou s , ta stes , a mth , e t c ,

w r pr
.

hi ch h a v e n o e a li ty ou t si de ou r e x e i e n c e of th em It i s
pr r q w b
.

t he se i ma y u a li ti es hi ch a r e ui lt i n to t h e i ma gi na l
r
c ea ti on , r w
Ma t te , hi ch we u se i n thi n ki ng about things i n
”

r r
a mech a n i ca l ega d

p r r
.

Psychi cal, Psych i cs An ythi n g is sychi ca l i n c h a a cte if

f k
.

i t is un da men ta lly a i n to t h e c on te n ts o f ou r own con sci ous

pr
e x e i en ce so -ca ll ed r p r
To sa y N a t u e i s sychi ca l i n ch a
r r b b pr
.

a c te is to sa y t ha t i t es em les t he se co n te n ts i n ei n g a t
pr r
o f e x e i e n c e —i n thi s c a se of cos mi c a n ge

r
.

Psych ologi c ( S chille ) S ee Judg men t, Psych olog y, a nd

.

Logic
pr p
.

Psych olog y Th e sci en ce of oce sses of e x eri e n ci n g n oted as

r rr p r r f
.

t he y oc cu , i es e cti v e of th e i t u th or a lsi ty, good n ess or

b a dn ess Th e sci en ce of su ch pr o ce sses , i n so fa r a s the y

r rr fr pr b r
.

c on c e n co e ct i n e en ce a n d o e a t i ons su sidi a y to
fr
such i n e en ce, w pr
ould ov i de t he hu ma nis t logic of the

ftru u e
p t f r lity whi h i t r t wh w k
.

Q uan ti t y Th t a as ec o ea c n e es s us en e as
w t ri i h j h w h rp i
.

h wm h
o uc a e h t th
s n t e a r or o s a s t e oo
h
ac e Cf pp 33 6 7 -

ti t d whi h d id t h t r th f l i ty
. . .

R ti
a ona sli m ( l ) Th e at u e c ec es e u or a s

f di p t d t t m t r ligi d m t phy i l
.

o s u e s a et hi l en s , e ou s , e ca an e a s ca
i l d d
nc u t h li
e , f tri t r
on i g r ti i ti
e n es o d s c ea so n n , a oc na ve an
62 0 THE W ORL D AS IM AGINATION
indu cti v e Thi s led hi sto i ca lly t o th e F en ch a n d e ma n r r Gr
r
.

Enli gh ten men t of th e ei gh te en th c en tu y, a n d e nta iled a

debacle of t a diti on al eli e r
( 2 ) The me ta hysi ca l st a ndb f p
p w fi U r w N rw
.

oi n t hi ch i den ti es th e ni v e se i th REAS O , oth e i se

k w
n o n a s Pa n logis m
p r r p
.

Reali sm Met a h ysi cal Rea li sm a sse t s th e ea li ty i n de enden t

r pr w wr
.

of ou selv e s o f t h e e cei v e d t hi n gs of hi ch we a re a a e
r w r r
.

( It i s n ot n ec e s sa il y h o s t i le t o I d ea li s m hi ch me ely a sse t s

U r k r r pr
,

t h a t th e n i v e se i s a in i n ch a a c te to our e x e i en ce )
fr rb p
.

On e o m of i t a sc i es t hi s i n de e n den ce , n ot only t o thi n gs

pr e cei v ed, bu t t o t hi n gs pr
e se n t t o ou r i n wr
a d e x e i en ce, pr
eig m a th e ma t i c a l
’

e n ti t i es
”
Such Rea lism ma y ta e ma ny k
f rm
. .

o s

R li ty P r f J S M K 19 14 r di t t hi w rd
.

ea o i i Mi d J ‘
en z e n n an c e s s o
with ( 1 ) Th t whi h h pl i t h
. . . .
. , ,

m i g
s e v en ea n n s a c as a a ce n e

U i r (2 ) D fi i t i t rd r f rdi ry
.

”
n v e se i th e n e e x s e n ce n e o e o o na

w ki g p ri di ti g i h d fr m d
.

h m u an a n ex e m t en ce a s s n u s e o r ea s, e c

r r pp d
.

( )
3 T t h u li d i t y 2 2
or v a ll y 4 ( 4 ) P i ti ea = os ve as o ose

d gr i w hi h
.
,

t o ne a
g t i ( 5 ) I ve i t n an n e n se se n s e as e ee n c

p p r r fr
.

an yt hi g in l
o ccu i m d —i t
es a di t m ac e n so e o e s s a n ce o

r fbi g
ze o o g t
e ni g r l p i ( 6) Th t whi h i
or n e a on , e a ea a n a c s
l h r pp d t th p t ti l l t t
. . .

t
a c ua d w
e e an no as o ose o e o en a or a en
”

b t ti l i d p d t r l i t h t will
.
,

( 7 ) Th e su s an a or n e en en ea n a s e n se a

h ld o i r lly u n v e sa with t q li fi ti or ou ua ca on
”

d gr Br dl y Ab l t E p ri whi h
.

’
R li t
ea y, fe ee s o a e s so u e x e en c e , c

withi it lf i id t b mpl t ly
.

i l dnc u ll di ti
es a co n on s n se s sa o e co e e

r l Th m r lf ffi i t i y fi it pp r
,

ea e o e se th -
su c en s an n e a ea a n ce , e

i t i d t rmi d fr m b y d i t lf t h hi gh r i t h
.

l ess s e e ne o e on se e e s e

d gr f i t r li ty j dg d by th t d rd f mpl t
,

e ee o s ea as u e e s an a o co e e

r li ty th Ab l t E p ri
ea e so u e x e en ce

tr t d r p t g ri i m g
.
,

R ecept R m o a n es c on h as e e ce s or en e c a es , su c as

p pt i whi h th
.

im l
an d w a s an l wi th e a so o sse ss , a c on c e n c e

mm
co f tr on g r li d d tt d d t
ea u e s a re h e ne a se an a en e o a s su c
p li th r d b tw pri m ry p ri
.

Th R e e ce t es o n d e oa e e en a ex e en ce a n

th pt pr p r It i th w m k f i t
e c on c e o e b tit t s e u se e a e o a s a su s u e
f t whi h t
.

ac c cou n s .

R l ti
ea on s.Cf pp 3 3 7 42 -

f K wl dg A p hr ft g ly d l i g
. . .

R l ti it
ea v y o no e e a se o en v a ue u se ea v n

rt i wh th r th r l ti i ty m t i th t f k w
. ,

it u n ce a n e e e e a v ea n s a o no

l dg t
e k w r d wh t i k w th t f thi g k w
e o a no e an a s no n , or a o n s no n
t o on e a n o th r b th All k wl dg d ll th r lity
e or o no e e, a n a e ea
whi h i t r m t mpri r l ti T k w th
, .

c c on ce n s , us co se e a ons o no e

f lly w ld b t w r
.

C mi Im gi ti
os c a na on i fi it d u ou e o a a e an n n u e

fo mpri d
co r l ti se T b m p ll d t k w
e a h on s o e co e e o no suc

r l ti f rg t h h p f
.

e a i i on s t h st n n o sen se o av e o o o e o e o

tt i i g
a a n n lid m t p h y i a va K wi g t h m i p r t f th e a s cs no n e s a o e

m t ph y i l q
.

e a t s ca u es
Cf pp 2 89 90 D fi dh r t wh t
.

R ligi
e on . d ti - e ne e e as ev o on o a

i b li d t b t h m t p rf t r lit y r
. . .

”
s e ev e o e p i d
e os e ec ea ex e e n ce .
 62 2 W ORLD As IMAGINATION THE

tt ri b t
a wi th t h wi g i th m ( 2 ) t h t whi h b th
u es ou s o n n e a c o
pp rt d h w i ttri b t
su o s, an th s ft di
o s d n, a u es , as e o en scu sse
S bt u f Mi d mi gh t b
s a n ce o id t d S pi n G d i e sa o o n oz a s
’
o s

pp rti g S b t th m d f whi h E t i
.

th lle a -
su o n u s a n ce e o es o c x en s on
d Th gh t r p rt Th t rm l d it lf t
,

an l it i ou ev e a n a e e en s se o
k w
.
,

va
g t hi i
ue g d g h t t n b nd i t h an ti S b ou o e u se ca u on u
i f r th r d fr q q i l t t M tt r
.

t s a n ce s tly ( 3 )
u e u se e u en as e u v a en o a e
b
, ,

ge t h t f t he su h m i t t t
s a n ces o e c e s
”
e c e c

P ri i pl Of pp 3 4 3 4
. . , . .

S ffi i t R
u c en f
eason , nc e o . . .
- .

Sy t m A
s e rd r d wh l wh l rti l t d
’

n o e e t mb dy o e ; a o e a cu a e so a s o e o
W r G r
.

a p l '

g t h
a n , e. l d S y t m A m ie l S y t m i o - s e
”
e na s e s a
wh l th t t f whi h d th pl mb di d i whi h
. .

o e e c on e n s o c an e an e o e n c

a re pl ti d l f ll p f ri h r ti
as c an ea v e l ti u s co e or a c c ea v e ev o u on

pl ti r g rd r lt
.

T l l gi l A t l l gi l
”
e eo o ca e eo o ca ex ana on e a s a esu as
r li i g p rp A t l l gi l ity i h i
.

”
ea d s n a n en or u o se e eo o ca un s su c n

i rt f th p rp pr d i i t Th t l l gi l
.

”
v ue o e u o se ex esse n e e eo o ca
rg m t f h l ti Th i m i f r G d f m th m rk
.

a u en or sc o as c e s n e s o ro e a s

f d i g i t h w rld
o es n H n it i l e ll d th D i g
o e n ce s a so c a e e es n

Of pp 56 9
.

Ag m t r u en -

Th b li f i G d i th r th W rld Gr
. . . .

Th i mes e e e nd o e e as e o - ou n or a s

lt d fi i t g t th r i
.
,

a n e xa e n e a en e e n

Th j ti fi ti r l d i th f t f
.

Th di y
eo c f G d e us ca on o o as ev ea e n e ac s o

N t r d Hi t ry Of p 5 66
.

a u e an s o

Thi g i i t lf
. . . .

n - n - se Cf N m ou en on
d t Th t whi h li by d p ri
. . .

K t
’
T ranscen en a c es e on our e x e e n ce , as an s

d hi Thi g i i t lf pp d t li
.

G d o an s n -
n- se a r e su ose o e

K ti r g rd) r f r t th di ti
.

T d t l (i
r anscen en a n a an an e a e e s o e con on s

f
o t l p ri
a c ua E g th ex tr e d t l j dgm t
ence e a n sc e n en a u en
f th r b i g p ri f
. . .

i s a con di ti on o t ll e e e n ex e en ce or us a a
l r l ti i whi h h g
.

T ranseun t li t A causa y i ca u sa e a on n c c an es n o ne

t rm pr d th r Th ri ddl i — H w d
.

e h g io uce c an es n ano e e e s o oes

b t ? H w l d i t ? S P t ti
.

t hi m s co e a ou av e e so v e ee en e ra on,
and t h di i f C
e ti scu ss on o ausa on

Tr th Tr th i r w r r p r
.

u g u i t h l i t y
s , or a I t i g d i t
ee s ea s a as ec or

i di r t f r li ty I h di r t gr p wh I w r
. , .
,

n ec o g i ea av e a e nu n e ec as en a a e
p t h f d i r lity pr t t p r p ti
.
,
“
a a c o re n i ea as e se n o e ce on ; a n n
di r t w h ec Ii t g en pt b r lity t l rg
n v en e a c on ce a out ea a a e,

r
. .
,

th t f th C mi Im gi ti
a o e Hyp th os th c
g t a na on o ese s , ose ea

i tr m t f t r th di ry pr d t f im gi i g
.

ns u en s o u - scov e ar e o uc s o a n n
tr i f t h y gr
, .

Th y e a re wi th t h ue m d f i m gi i g
e a ee ose o es o a n n
i t h r r li ty t w hi h t h y r f r
n o e ea o c e e e

U i f rmi t f N t r If
.

n o P t l t
y o f th a u e, l di ti os u a e o e c a usa con on s

A B C rri g i i D th y will lw y d
.

c on cu n B t ssu e n e a a s o so. u
r twi Th j dgm t i t b t
, , , ,

th y m y e t a no con cu ce e u en s, a es
h yp th ti l
.
.

o e ca

V ry imp rt t Of pp 3 92 8 S l Im
.

U i
n v ersa s l e o an - ee a so

A y r li ty h r d by p rti l r i t
. . . . .

gi
a l na s n ea i s a e a cu a n s a n ces s a

Ui r l
.

n v e sa .
 GL OSS ARY
U k w bl th
n no aSp e, r Ab l t Of pp 63 6
e. en ce
’
s so u e -

Will A id l fi ld r li i g it lf ( f pp 2 00
. . . .

n ea e ea s n se c

W ld-Gr d S G d
. . .

or oun ee roun
W rld S t m th G rmi l A m f th i gl t t l
. .

o - ys e e e na na e or e s n e o a
W rld Id i t d i th C I b f r th
, .

m
th gh t
ou or it o - ea as ex s e n e e o e e
M t phy i l F ll S S t m
. .

e a s ca a . ee ys e

P RIN TE D IN G RE AT BR IT AIN B Y N E ILL AN D LT D .

, E DIN BUR G H