The Idiot: His Place in Creation, and His Claims on SocietyBateman, Frederick, Sir
Science
The Idiot: His Place in Creation, and His Claims on Society
Bateman, Frederick, Sir
Mental retardation; Stupidity
[36] I strongly deprecate, as lamentably wrong and needless, the
violent language sometimes used by writers on both sides of this great
controversy of the origin of man. If the _odium theologicum_ may have
inspired some of the opponents of evolution, it is undeniable that
there is strong evidence of an _odium antitheologicum_ amongst not a
few of the supporters of this doctrine, who indulge in abusive
epithets, launching into personalities of a most objectionable kind;
for instance, we are informed that "orthodoxy is the Bourbon of the
world of thought; it learns not, neither can it forget." Now I protest
against the attempt to obscure argument by appeals to the passions and
to prejudice. Science and Theology should not be regarded as two
opposing citadels, frowning defiance upon each other, but their
votaries should look upon each other as co-labourers in the cause of
truth, and they should welcome light and knowledge from whatever
quarter it may come, being fully convinced that all systems and
theories irreconcilable with truth, are built upon the sand, and must
ultimately be swept away.
[37] One of our popular novelists, Sir Walter Besant, has
philosophically said, "there is between the condition of Man and the
Brute an interdependence which cannot but be recognised by every
physician. So greatly has this connection affected some of the modern
physicians, as to cause doubt in their minds whether there be any life
at all hereafter; or if when the pulse ceases to beat, the whole man
should become a dead and senseless lump of clay. In this they confuse
the immortal soul with the perishable instruments of brain and body,
through which in life it manifests its being and betrays its true
nature, whether of good or evil."--_Faith and Freedom._
[38] Cases like this would seem to illustrate the truth of the
statement of that great philosopher, Sir Thomas Browne, when he says,
"Thus it is observed that men sometimes, upon the hour of their
departure, do speak and reason about themselves. For then the soul,
being more freed from the ligaments of the body, begins to reason like
herself, and to discourse in a strain above mortality."--_Religio
Medici_, p. 208.
TREATMENT AND RESULTS.
"Distinguish'd link in being's endless chain,
Midway from nothing to the Deity.
Though sully'd and dishonour'd, still divine,
An heir of glory, a frail child of dust.
Helpless immortal!"--_Young._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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