The real advance of modem atomism, as seen in
the speculations of Kant or of Boscovich, is in the
substitution of forces for hard points. Matter is
looked upon as constituted by centres of forces, in a
complex set of relations, dependent one upon another,
and yet resisting each other's influence. The appear- ^
ance of extension and solidity is pronounced to rest
upon the reciprocal attractions and repulsions of these
active centres. But, after all, when forces have been
substituted for extended atoms, the ultimate difficulty
still remains. Why are these forces so located^ axwl
these atoms so arranged in the woTld*? Kxl^ \Jcva w^



k



184 EPICUREANISM.
possible answer to this question, other than a re-asser-
tion that such is the given fact, is to refer to an
underlying power which divides its energies in these
diverse seats of force, and creates the show of a series
of molecules in reciprocal relations throughout the
universe.
