Article April 1, 1933 Issue

Metaphysics Illustrated by Mathematics

JAMES C. MC CAUSTLAND

One who is beginning the study of Christian Science may not readily accept the fact that inharmony or evil has only a supposititious existence. He may even think it such an affront to what is usually called "common sense" that he may be tempted to cease further investigation. Perhaps some difficulty must first be seen to yield through the practical use of Christian Science before he is willing to accept this point without reservation. However, when he finds the truth of the statement proved in a single instance, the positive rule which eliminates evil begins to be established in his thinking for practical use in all other instances. As the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, has written on page 108 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "The product of three multiplied by three, equalling nine, proves conclusively that three times three duodecillions must be nine duodecillions,—not a fraction more, not a unit less."

The study of mathematics shows a parallel to exist between the overcoming of false beliefs of evil, as exposed by Christian Science, and the correcting of errors resulting from the misuse of mathematics. In Science and Health (p. 113), Mrs. Eddy states that "De Quincey says mathematics has not a foot to stand upon which is not purely metaphysical." And since the science of mathematics is accepted as exact, the recognition of this parallel method of correction may aid one to see how the applied truth overcomes the inertia of mortal mind to the accepting of a new idea.

The student finds that the basis of divine Science is the fact of one omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, good cause; that everything God made was "very good," as the Bible states, and that "all things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." Therefore, though physical sense testimony may argue that evil is real and present, it cannot be so; for there is no place for evil to occupy in the infinite and perfect creation. The fact that good is infinite is a law of annihilation to the belief of evil. The mathematician, accepting the law of mathematics as always operative, knows that in the application of mathematics errors are not real; he knows they are the effect not of the correct application, but of the breaking of mathematical law or rule. So evil, like a mathematical error, seems real only until it is recognized as suppositional. Each is eliminated from consciousness when the truth concerning it is recognized.

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