ABSTRACT
In the course of the inquiry in the last three chapters there has gradually emerged a theory of my own concerning the nature of the physical existent. This is, however, incidental rather than intentional; for my intention in this book has been the elucidation and investigation of the fundamental issues and problems of the philosophy of nature. But fundamental issues and problems cannot be formulated a priori and investigated antecedently to the examination of theories; on the contrary, the elucidation of problems and the formulation of theories are two aspects of the same enterprise. Thus the elucidation of the problems and issues must occur in the context of the examination of theories, and the theories will necessarily be in a certain context of thought.
