What is Darwinism?: the EvolutionVM eBooks, 22 февр. 2016 г. This is a question which needs an answer. Great confusion and diversity of opinion prevail as to the real views of the man whose writings have agitated the whole world, scientific and religious. If a man says he is a Darwinian, many understand him to avow himself virtually an atheist; while another understands him as saying that he adopts some harmless form of the doctrine of evolution. This is a great evil. It is obviously useless to discuss any theory until we are agreed as to what that theory is. The question, therefore, What is Darwinism? must take precedence of all discussion of its merits. The great fact of experience is that the universe exists. The great problem which has ever pressed upon the human mind is to account for its existence. What was its origin? To what causes are the changes we witness around us to be referred? As we are a part of the universe, these questions concern ourselves. What are the origin, nature, and destiny of man? Professor Huxley is right in saying, "The question of questions for mankind—the problem which underlies all others, and is more interesting than any other—is the ascertainment of the place which Man occupies in nature and of his relation to the universe of things. Whence our race has come, what are the limits of our power over nature, and of nature's power over us, to what goal are we tending, are the problems which present themselves anew and with undiminished interest to every man born into the world." [ 1] Mr. Darwin undertakes to answer these questions. He proposes a solution of the problem which thus deeply concerns every living man. Darwinism is, therefore, a theory of the universe, at least so far as the living organisms on this earth are concerned. This being the case, it may be well to state, in few words, the other prevalent theories on this great subject, that the points of agreement and of difference between them and the views of Mr. Darwin may be the more clearly seen. |
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The Sense in which Mr Darwin uses the Word Natural | |
Darwins own Testimony | |
Professor Huxley | |
Часто встречающиеся слова и выражения
admit Agassiz agency animalcule artificial selection Asa Gray atheistic believe Bible Büchner called consciousness contrivance conviction Creator Darwin says Darwin's doctrine Darwin's theory Darwinian deny descended design in nature distinct distinguished naturalist divine doctrine of evolution earth evidence evolutionist existence fact faith favorable final causes fittest FOOTNOTES force forms geological geologists Henslow Herbert Spencer human hypothesis idea infinite instincts intelligence kind knowledge labellum laws of nature mammæ matter mental mind miracles molecules monistic natural selection naturalists objection origin of species Palæontologist Pantheism perfect phenomena philosophical physical causes plants and animals primordial germ Principal Dawson produced Professor Huxley Protoplasm prove purpose question quotes referred religion scientific Scriptures second causes sense Spencer spirit Strauss structure survival teaches teleology theory of natural transmutation of species truth universe variations varieties vegetable and animal Vestiges of Creation Victoria Institute Vogt Wallace whole words zoölogists zoölogy