Classics of modern science : $b (Copernicus to Pasteur)
History
Classics of modern science : $b (Copernicus to Pasteur)
Science; Science -- History
But the teleological view leads to further difficulties in the
explanation, and especially with respect to generation. If we assume
each organism to be formed by a power which acts according to a certain
predominant idea, a portion of this power may certainly reside in the
ovum during generation; but then we must ascribe to this subdivision
of the original power, at the separation of the ovum from the body of
the mother, the capability of producing an organism similar to that
which the power, of which it is but a portion, produced: that is, we
must assume that this power is infinitely divisible, and yet that each
part may perform the same actions as the whole power. If, on the other
hand, the power of organized bodies reside, like the physical powers,
in matter as such, and be set free only by a certain combination of the
molecules, as, for instance, electricity is set free by the combination
of a zinc and copper plate, then also by the conjunction of molecules
to form an ovum the power may be set free, by which the ovum is capable
of appropriating to itself fresh molecules, and these newly-conjoined
molecules again by this very mode of combination acquire the same
power to assimilate fresh molecules. The first development of the
many forms of organized bodies--the progressive formation of organic
nature indicated by geology--is also much more difficult to understand
according to the teleological than the physical view.
Another objection to the teleological view may be drawn from the
foregoing investigation. The molecules, as we have seen, are not
immediately combined in various ways, as the purpose of the organism
requires, but the formation of the elementary parts of organic
bodies is regulated by laws which are essentially the same for all
elementary parts. One can see no reason why this should be the case,
if each organism be endued with a special power to frame the parts
according to the purpose which they have to fulfil: it might much
rather be expected that the formative principle, although identical
for organs physiologically the same, would yet in different tissues
be correspondingly varied. This resemblance of the elementary parts
has, in the instance of plants, already led to the conjecture that
the cells are really the organisms, and that the whole plant is an
aggregrate of these organisms arranged according to certain laws.
But since the elementary parts of animals bear exactly similar
relations, the individuality of an entire animal would thus be lost;
and yet precisely upon the individuality of the whole animal does the
assumption rest, that it possesses a single fundamental power operating
in accordance with a definite idea.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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