The Relations of Science and Religion: The Morse Lecture, 1880Calderwood, Henry
Religion
The Relations of Science and Religion: The Morse Lecture, 1880
Calderwood, Henry
Religion and science
Dr. Hermann Müller's Observations are described in _Nature_, vol. xiv.
p. 175; vol. xv. pp. 317, 473; vol. xvi. pp. 265, 507.
X.
ANTS. _Page 192._
Mr. McCook's Observations are summarized in _Nature_, vol. xvii. p.
433.
XI.
LIKENESS OF THE APE'S BRAIN TO THE HUMAN BRAIN. _Page_ 225.
The close resemblance of the brain of the ape to that of man, has been
held to prove that the ape comes next to man in intelligence. But the
facts bearing on this suggestion are fitted to occasion serious
perplexity to its upholders. First stands the resemblance of bodily
structure as largely explaining similarity of brain. The results of
electric stimulation of the monkey's brain lend additional force to this
consideration. Again, facts are wanting to support the claim for
superior intelligence in behalf of the monkey and ape. The habits of the
ape in its natural state afford little evidence of an encouraging kind.
The ape gathers together a few sticks for a nest, in comparison with
which the work of very small birds presents marvels of architecture. And
nest-building seems the highest evidence gathered from the natural
habits of the animal, when we compare it with leaning the back against a
tree for rest, or staunching the blood of a wound. In the captive state
the ape gives no such evidence of superior intelligence as the
similarity of its brain to the human, would lead us to expect, if brain
structure afford the test of intellectual power. Even after allowance
has been made for sudden transition from the wild state to the captive,
the evidence of capability does not appear which the theory requires.
The highest results reached by training monkeys, do not support a claim
for intellectual superiority. These are mainly forms of mimicry,
generally inferior to the efforts of some other animals. Add to these
considerations the evidence as to the singular intelligence shown by
ants, and the theory which measures intellect by brain structure is
placed at a great disadvantage. Whether science may not ere long point
to some theory of mind connected with animal existence must be matter of
uncertainty. If, however, the easy and familiar operations of our own
intelligence are analyzed and classified; and if a statement of the
ascertained functions of the brain is laid alongside, it will appear
that nothing known to us in the action of brain, can supply a science of
the operations of the human mind.
XII.
THE LARGE SIZED OR MULTIPOLAR CELLS. _Page_ 257.
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