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Nordau, Max Simon, 1849-1923

"The Malady of the Century"

To be certain
of that, one must also be certain what objective truth is. But you
are not certain, as you very well know, and so logically you must
admit the possibility that metaphysics can hold a spark of objective
truth. I am of an entirely different opinion on this point. I
believe that the science of the actual content of things, the
foundation of all appearances, the laws of the universe, in short,
everything which you call objective truth, is the property peculiar
to the atoms, of which the world formerly existed. Absolute science,
I say, is inherent matter, like motion and gravitation. Matter does
not learn of them, it possesses them. A cell has not studied
chemistry, but with unfailing accuracy it executes its wonderful
chemical operations. Water knows nothing of physics and mathematics,
but it flows from the spring, just as high as the laws of hydraulic
pressure command."
"Bravo," interrupted Mayboom, "that explains at last something I
never understood; and that is, why a flower pot should fall off a
window straight on the heads of people in the street, with unfailing
accuracy."
"Please, Mayboom, no bad jokes to-day," said Dorfling gently.
The comic song writer sighed and again sank into deep thought, and
the philosopher went on:
"The science of truth, to which every atom adheres, dwells in men.


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