The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-09
THE RANGE OF REASON.
Boundary Lies Between Subjective
validity and Theological Value.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir.
R~adioactivity and related phenomena
have compelled us to modify our opin-
ions as to the validity of the doctrines or
the conservation Of energy and matter.
Instability, impermanence and decay
seem to be the universal law OF nature :
, matter in its simplest d~isassociated
forms inevitably relates itself to and
may he purely a manifestation Of what
is called energy.
The word Substance" signifies That
which supports the phenomenon. and we
have no knowledge concerning its meta
physical existence or reality. No truly
conservative cycle OF energy mango
exists every transfer OF energy from
one form TO another involves dissipation.
the entropy function tends. to "A maxi
mum aud the sum total OF availaole
energy to a minimum. Relatively. then.
the simplest forms are the most stable.
even though impermanent. and that
which is immortal must of necessity pos
sess qualities transcending the condl-
tons for active or passive existence.
Spirit or the soul. IL II exists. must be
isut-opic, devoid Of structure and AT zero
potential both with respect TO its W
parts and objective relations. which IS
equivalent to non-existence IN so FAR as
the term IL synonymous with subjective
- 'FpJN'AlNV 'ltllk' hNp
Inorganic matter IL, then. the most
stable organized matter manlfesting it.
self i'm living forms is through the very
nature OF it's molecular structure un-
stable. and relatiNe immortality, X we
may so Use the word. Is found solely In
the simpler forms of cell life, such as the
ampba, which propagates by flssure n
in a sense exhibits personal immortality
within the conditions of It's existence.
I'll. NO. 80 ..At kaaA. NQnlf nn TIM
continued death and reconstruction of
he cells constituting his physical body.
ana pSychically he IL the integrated and
collective manifestation Of traits inher-
ted and modified by environment. This
migrated activity IL. then, personality,
and conditions itself on inetabolic activ-
itv In the cellular structure in a similar
sense. then. the life OF a city or aggrega-
ton Of social units Is the collective ex-
, preston of the individual cellular ap-
r-egations. called human beings. which
constitute it's structure.
In Ike fashion. also. the larger units.
such az states and nations. exhibit varied
character and personality but are these
things immortal" No more than are
the human beings on whose birth. activ-
ity and death the life OF the larger unit
or state depends.
The fact tina the human race as n
whole accepts the doctrine or imfnortai-
~ explains Itself on natural grounds.
Il, is impossible for us while living to
realiae that our span OF life il limited
n. tendency. therefore. Is to project our
selves into some sort Of ~post-mortem
. continuity. This tendency Is coiserva-
i've. constructive. and IN d sense a
protective devi,e such az are the special
senses.
The doctrine OF personal immortality
- inetdphNsIcdlly IN the category OF
vain imaEiu,ucs and eXaggerates mans
Importance both TO himself and In his
relation - the universe. II man would
Ne immortal let him confeurate fourth
/ iime0sioual objects through their cubic
: shadows IN three dlmensioudl space lot
Inn. therefore, refrain from dogmatlziug
/ a'iirmatlVely aS TO the Infinite duration
81 that which is limited 60 three de.
gtees q freedom in It's manifestations
and firmly grasp the dictum that jud.-
ment. the result Of human reasonins, pos
s-sses no theological value FOR reality
but solely subjective validity.
In the meantime le. us be humble
md cease specializing about things or
doctrines not In our category.
ALBERT GA'l,rIN.
AyW Wong March