If we look with a
perceiving eye upon the world of creation, we find that all existing things may
be classified as follows: first, mineral—that is to say, matter or substance
appearing in various forms of composition; second, vegetable—possessing the virtues
of the mineral plus the power of augmentation or growth, indicating a degree
higher and more specialized than the mineral; third, animal—possessing the
attributes of the mineral and vegetable plus the power of sense perception;
fourth, human — the highest specialized organism of visible creation, embodying
the qualities of the mineral, vegetable and animal plus an ideal endowment
absolutely absent in the lower kingdoms — the power of intellectual
investigation into the mysteries of outer phenomena. The outcome of this
intellectual endowment is science, which is especially characteristic of man.
This scientific power investigates and apprehends created objects and the laws
surrounding them. It is the discoverer of the hidden and mysterious secrets of
the material universe and is peculiar to man alone. The most noble and
praiseworthy accomplishment of man, therefore, is scientific knowledge and
attainment.
- ‘Abdu’l-Baha (From a talk at Columbia University, New York, 19 April
1912; ‘The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l-Bahá
during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912’)
