in the study of all the conditions concerned in a state or process. If this is done, then the work of exact research is accomplished. Further problems do not exist. The use of superfluous terms or symbols for the definition of things would be in opposition to the fundamental principle, already brought forward by _Kirchhoff_, especially for mechanics, namely, that of formulating comprehensively and in the simplest manner the processes which take place in nature. At first glance one might be tempted to find an incompleteness in the observation and description, when a conditional standpoint is adopted. It might be thought that conditionalism were a purely _formal_ method of observation, and only considered the _interdependence_ of things, but not the _properties_, the _nature_ of the objects themselves. Regarded more closely, however, it is seen that this objection does not hold good. For what is a condition? A condition is in itself a _thing_ of quite distinct _properties_. The properties of a thing are, however, determined by the specific combination of conditions which characterize the thing. The conditions by which a thing, that is to say, a state or process, is determined, are _identical_ with its being and nature; in other words, they are the thing itself. Purely formal relations without essence would be altogether an absurd fiction _not_ in accord with reality, and which even the science of mathematics does not acknowledge, for we cannot have a conception without concrete content, just as in nature we do not find a form existing independently of a thing. Every thing is equal to the sum of all its conditions and depending upon the uniform constancy in accordance with natural laws is solely determined by its conditions. The problem of all scientific research consists wholly in the ascertaining of the conditional interdependency. _A state or process is solely determined by the sum total of its conditions. A state or process is identical with all of its conditions in totality._ From this it follows that equal states or processes are always the expression of equal conditions and wherever unequal conditions exist, unequal states or processes will result; and further, a state or process is completely investigated when the entire number of its conditions is ascertained. This fundamental statement of conditionism should be engraved over the portals to the entrance of every scientific investigation.