Humboldt: From 'The Gods and Other Lectures'Ingersoll, Robert Green
Science
Humboldt: From 'The Gods and Other Lectures'
Ingersoll, Robert Green
Free thought; Humboldt, Alexander von, 1769-1859
Two, on the form of the earth's surface, on the connection of
continents, and the elevation of soil over ravines.
Three, on the sea as a globular fluid surrounding the earth.
Ten, on the atmosphere as an elastic fluid surrounding the earth, and
on the distribution of heat One, on the geographic distribution of
organized matter in general.
Three, on the geography of plants.
Three, on the geography of animals, and Two, on the races of men.
These lectures are what is known as the Cosmos, and present a scientific
picture of the world--of infinite diversity in unity--of ceaseless
motion in the eternal grasp of law.
These lectures contain the result of his investigation, observation, and
experience; they furnish the connection between phenomena; they disclose
some of the changes through which the earth has passed in the countless
ages; the history of vegetation, animals and men, the effects of climate
upon individuals and nations, the relation we sustain to other worlds,
and demonstrate that all phenomena, whether insignificant or grand,
exist in accordance with inexorable law.
There are some truths, however, that we never should forget:
Superstition has always been the relentless enemy of science; faith has
been a hater of demonstration; hypocrisy has been sincere only in its
dread of truth, and all religions are inconsistent with mental freedom.
Since the murder of Hypatia in the fifth century, when the polished
blade of Greek philosophy was broken by the club of ignorant
Catholicism, until to-day, superstition has detested every effort of
reason.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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