If  we  considered  any  science  to  include,  as  a  part  of
itself,  all  that  is  necessary  to  its  proof  or  elucidation,
then  each  science  w^ould  comprise  every  science.  All
things  are  blended,  interlinked,  seriated,  and  reciprocal


PROLOGUE.  11

in  the  scheme  of  nature.  Nothing  can  be  absolutely
isolated.  Every  atom  relates  to  all  atoms.  Any  fact
belongs  and  relates  to  every  other  fact.  For  example,
a  vein  of  the  body  belongs  to  and  depends  upon  the  ag-
gregate circulation  of  the  blood.  To  explain  a  vein,  the
whole  of  anatomy,  &c.,  must  be  studied.
Hence,  if  other  sciences  must  appeal  to  Humanics
for  proofs  and  landmarks,  Humanics  in  turn  must,  for
the  same  purpose,  resort  to  them  all.
How  then  are  we  to  know  what  properly  belongs  to
Humanics,  and  what  is  merely  collateral  ?

Simply  by  keeping  in  view  our  design^  which  is  to
know  man  as  distinguishable  from  all  the  rest  of  ani-
mate and  inanimate  nature.
Every  fact,  every  relation  which  enables  us  to  do
this,  must  be  considered ;  but  the  differentia  and  gen-
eralizations, as  applicable  to  man's  nature,  are  alone
the  property  of  Humanics.
"With  this  delineation  of  the  scope  of  our  subject,
and  with  this  index  to  the  object  of  our  work,  it  will  be
impossible  to  confound  Humanics  with  Philosophy.
On  the  contrary,  it  seems  to  me  that  the  distinction
drawn,  in  another  part  of  this  prologue,  between  Special
and  Universal  Philosophy,  renders  it  useless  to  argue
any  further  to  show  that  the  special  philosophy  of  Hu-
manics does  not  disturb  the  functions  or  diminish  the
sphere  of  Universal  Philosophy.  Hence,  without  fur-
ther discussion,  I  refer  to  what  I  have  already  said
above,  merely  adding :


12  HUMANICS.
