80 THE PHILOSOPHY OF BIOLOGY 



be a very small proportion of the total energy trans- 

 formed. We see, then, that the distinction is one of 

 degree, though the difference between inorganic and 

 organic energetic processes is very great in this respect ; 

 so great that we must regard it as constituting a funda- 

 mental difference, and as indicative of the limitation 

 of the second law when extended to the functioning 

 of the organism. 



But we have also to consider the effect of the work 

 done by the organism. We consider the nature and 

 meaning of the evolutionary process in a later chapter, 

 but in the meantime we may state this thesis : that 

 the process of evolution leads up to man and his 

 activity. It leads, if we regard the process as a directed 

 one ; but even if we regard it as a fortuitous process 

 we still find that man, far more than any other organism, 

 is the result of it. All the facts of biology and history 

 show that man dominates the organic world, plant or 

 animal ; that the whole trend of his activity is to 

 eliminate whatever organisms are inimical, and to 

 foster those that are useful. Already, during the brief 

 period of his rational activity, the wolf has disappeared 

 from civilised lands while the dog has been produced. 

 Species after species of hostile or harmful organisms 

 have been, or are being, destroyed or changed, while 

 numerous other species have been preserved and 

 altered for his benefit. In the future we see an organic 

 world subservient to him either entirely or to an 

 enormous extent. 



So also in the inorganic world. Rivers which 

 formerly rushed down through rapids, dissipating 

 their energy of movement in waste irrecoverable heat, 

 now pour through turbines and water wheels, generating 

 electricity and accumulating available energy. Winds 

 which " naturally " dissipated their mechanical energy 



