doubt perfectly true that each previous movement had been the necessary
consequence of the force applied, just as truly as those which coincided
with the conventions of the telegraphist's alphabet; but win any one say
that such coincidence could conceivably be attributable to the forces of
magnetism alone, however exact to the laws according to which they
operate?
It must always be remembered that the question we have to discuss is,
how far Science casts any light upon such questions as the one before
us. And since "Science" is taken to mean knowledge acquired through the
observation of phenomena alone, we have at present to enquire whether
material forces, the only ones of which observation directly tells us
anything, could have produced such effects as we have considered,
otherwise than by mere "Chance"? If they could not, is it imaginable
that they produced these effects at all? And it appears obvious that
unless there be Purpose at the back of Nature, Chance must be
acknowledged as the architect of the universe.
Professor Huxley tells us, it is true, that such an idea could be
entertained by no one whose mind had ever been illumined by a ray of
scientific thought. In face of this it is rather remarkable to find that
the idea was undoubtedly entertained by Mr. Darwin, who took for granted
that to deny Purpose is to affirm Chance.
I am conscious [he wrote to Asa Gray][155] that I am in an utterly
hopeless muddle. I cannot think that the world, as we see it, is
the result of chance; and yet I cannot look at each separate thing
as the result of Design.
And again:[156]
I cannot any how be contented to view this wonderful universe, and
especially the nature of man, and to conclude that everything is
the result of brute force. I am inclined to look at everything as
resulting from designed laws, with the details, whether good or
bad, left to the working out of what we call chance. Not that this
notion _at all_ satisfies me.
Professor Haeckel too is by no means in accord on this point with his
friend Professor Huxley. He writes:[157]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account