On the other hand, he would have found in the bursting forth of these new doctrines one more proof in support of his idea that science is indissolubly bound to atomism.
From the philosophical point of view, M.Hannequin, examining the reasons which may have called these links into being, arrives at the idea that they necessarily proceed from the constitution of our knowledge, or, perhaps, from that of Nature itself.

Moreover, this origin, double in appearance, is single at bottom.

Our minds could not, in fact, detach and come out of themselves to grasp reality and the absolute in Nature.

According to the idea of Descartes, it is the destiny of our minds only to take hold of and to understand that which proceeds from them.
Thus atomism, which is, perhaps, only an appearance containing even some contradictions, is yet a well-founded appearance, since it conforms to the laws of our minds; and this hypothesis is, in a way, necessary.
We may dispute the conclusions of M.Hannequin, but no one will refuse to recognise, as he does, that atomic theories occupy a preponderating part in the doctrines of physics; and the position which they have thus conquered gives them, in a way, the right of saying that they rest on a real principle.

It is in order to recognise this right that several physicists--M.