CHAPTER II.. The Relation of Evolution to Materialism.

THE RELATION OF EVOLUTION TO MATERIALISM.

Supposed identity--Tendency of the age--Evolution does not differ in this regard from other laws of Nature--Absurdity of identification illustrated in many ways--(1) Effect of discovery of process of making--(2) Effect of new form of old truth--(3) Manner in which vexed questions are settled and rational philosophy found--Illustrated--A true philosophy is a reconciliation of partial views--Three possible views of origin of individuals and of species; two one-sided and partial, and the third combining, reconciling, and therefore rational--The only bar to speedy reconciliation is dogmatism --Theological and scientific--The appropriate rebuke for each--Therefore evolution does not differ from other laws in regard to its relation to materialism--Nevertheless, great changes in our traditional beliefs impending--Main changes are notions concerning God, Nature, and man, in their relations to one another 284