We express this dual relationship between methods and objects by speaking of the "autogenous" and the "heterogenous" application of methods. Methods are autogenous within their native area; here they are adequate to their objects. But they are heterogenous when they encroach on foreign areas, where they are adequate to only one element of the object, not to the object as a whole. Both the wealth of the system of the sciences and the necessity for systematics continually to redraw the boundaries are based upon the distinction between autogenous and heterogenous methods.
The Table shows examples of methods being used heterogenously (outside their native area) to formulate concepts.
Method | Object group | Heterogenous application |
|---|---|---|
law | physical group | Tendency toward gestalt: the idea of universal gestalt in which all particular processes are organically related |
law | physical group | Tendency toward gestalt: physical structural elements assume an almost organic character in organic chemistry and crystallography |
gestalt | organic-technical | Tendency toward sequence: the theory of development presented as the history of biological, psychological, and sociological forms |
sequence | historical | Tendency toward gestalt: the doctrine of spiritual gestalts and the investigation of historical laws |