120
The Law is for All
Universe. As a is evidently “infinite & unknown”, its equal and 
opposite A must be so no less. Again, from any proposition “S is 
P,” reason deduces “S is not p”; thus the apparent finitude and 
knowability of S is deceptive, since it is in direct relation with p.
No matter what n may be, x0, the number of the inductive 
numbers, is unaltered by adding or subtracting it. There are just 
as many odd numbers as there are numbers altogether. Our 
knowledge is confined to statements of the relations between cer­
tain sets of our own sensory impressions; and we are convinced 
by our limitations that “a factor infinite &c unknown” must be 
concealed within the sphere of which we see but one minute part 
of the surface. As to reason itself, what is more certain than that 
its laws are only the conscious expression of the limits imposed 
upon us by our animal nature, and that to attribute universal 
validity, or even significance, to them is a logical folly, the raving 
of our megalomania? Experiment proves nothing; it is surely 
obvious that we are obliged to correlate all observations with the 
physical and mental structure whose truth we are trying to test. 
Indeed, we can assume an “unreasonable” axiom, and translate 
the whole of our knowledge into its terms, without fear of stum­
bling over any obstacle. Reason is no more than a set of rules 
developed by the race; it takes no account of anything beyond 
sensory impressions and their reactions to various parts of our 
being. There is no possible escape from the vicious circle that we 
can register only the behaviour of our own instrument. We con­
clude from the fact that it behaves at all, that there must be “a 
factor infinite & unknown” at work upon it. This being the case, 
we may be sure that our apparatus is inherently incapable of 
discovering the truth about anything, even in part.
Let me illustrate. I see a drop of water. Distrusting my eyes, 
I put it under the microscope. Still in doubt, I photograph 
and enlarge the slide. I compare my results with those of others. 
I check them by cultivating the germs in water, and injecting them 
into paupers. But I have learnt nothing at all about the “infinite & 
unknown”, merely producing all sorts of different impressions 
according to the conditions in which one observes it!