THE THEORY OF DESCENT 283 



theories, we think it well to interrupt our argument for a 

 moment, in order to consider a certain point which, though 

 very important in itself, seems of only secondary importance 

 to us in our present discussion. Dogmatic Darwinism I 

 do not say the doctrine of Charles Darwin is materialistic 

 at bottom, and indeed has been used by many to complete 

 their materialistic view of the universe on its organic side. 

 The word " materialism ' must not necessarily be taken 

 here in its metaphysical sense, though most materialists 

 are dogmatic metaphysicians. It also can be understood 

 as forming part of a phenomenological point of view. 

 Materialism as a doctrine of science means simply this : 

 that whether " nature ' be reality or phenomenon, in any 

 case there is but one ultimate principle at its base, a 

 principle relating to the movements of particles of matter. 

 It is this point of view which dogmatic Darwinism 

 strengthens ; on the theory of natural selection and fluctu- 

 ating variations, due to accidental differences of nutri- 

 tion, organisms are merely arrangements of particles of 

 matter, nothing else ; and moreover, their kinds of arrange- 

 ment are understood, at least in principle. Lamarckism, 

 on the other hand, is not materialistic, but most markedly 

 vitalistic psychistic even ; it takes life for granted when 

 it begins its explanations. 



You may tell me that Darwin did the same, that 

 he expressly states that his theory has nothing to do with 

 the origin of life ; that the title of his work is " The Origin 

 of Species" It would certainly be right to say so, at least 

 with reference to Darwin personally ; but in spite of that, 

 it must be granted that Darwin's doctrine contains a certain 

 germ of materialism which has been fully developed by the 



