Address delivered before the British Association assembled at BelfastTyndall, John
Religion
Address delivered before the British Association assembled at Belfast
Tyndall, John
Evolution; Religion and science; Science -- History
[7] Monro's translation. In his criticism of this work,
_Contemporary Review_, 1867, Dr. Hayman does not appear to be aware
of the really sound and subtile observations on which the reasoning
of Lucretius, though erroneous, sometimes rests.
[8] _History of the Intellectual Development of Europe_, p. 295.
[9] _History of the Inductive Sciences_, vol. i.
[10] Depicted with terrible vividness in _Renan's Antichrist_.
[11] _Intellectual Development of Europe_, p. 359.
[12] Lange, 2nd edit. pp. 181, 182.
[13] See Huxley's admirable Essay on Descartes. _Lay Sermons_, pp.
864, 365.
[14] Boyle's model of the universe was the Strasburg clock with an
outside Artificer. Goethe, on the other hand, sang
'Ihm ziemt's die Welt im Innern zu bewegen,
Natur in sich, sich in Natur zu hegen.'
See also Carlyle, _Past and Present_, Chap. V.
[15] Only to some; for there are dignitaries who even now speak of
the earth's rocky crust as so much building material prepared for man
at the Creation. Surely it is time that this loose language should
cease.
[16] _Zoonomia_, vol. i. pp. 500-510.
[17] In 1855 Mr. Herbert Spencer (Principles of Psychology, 2nd edit.
vol. i. p. 465) expressed 'the belief that life under all its forms
has arisen by an unbroken evolution, and through the instrumentality
of what are called natural causes.'
[18] The behaviour of Mr. Wallace in relation to this subject has
been dignified in the highest desgree.
[19] The first step only towards experimental demonstration has been
taken. Experiments now begun might, a couple of centuries hence,
furnish data of incalculable value, which ought to be supplied to the
science of the future.
[20] Bruno was a 'Pantheist,' not an 'Atheist' or a 'Materialist.'
[21] _Examination of Hamilton_, p. 154.
[22] _Bestimmung des Menschen_.
[23] In a paper, at once popular and profound, entitled _Recent
Progress in the Theory of Vision_, contained in the volume of
Lectures by Helmholtz, published by Longmans, this symbolism of our
states of consciousness is also dwelt upon. The impressions of sense
are the mere signs of external things. In this paper Helmholtz
contends strongly against the view that the consciousness of space is
inborn; and he evidently doubts the power of the chick to pick up
grains of corn without preliminary lessons. On this point, he says,
further experiments are needed. Such experiments have been since
made by Mr. Spalding, aided, I believe, in some of his observations
by the accomplished and deeply lamented Lady Amberly; and they seem
to prove conclusively that the chick does not need a single moment's
tuition to enable it to stand, run, govern the muscles of its eyes,
and to peck. Helmholtz, however, is contending against the notion of
pre-established harmony; and I am not aware of his views as to the
organisation of experiences of race or breed.
[24] Proœmium to 'Gott und Welt.'
[25] Tintern Abbey.
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