THE HIGHER VALUES OF SCIENCE 311 



applied to religion, as to every other expression of organic 

 nature; and the result has been a revolution, accomplished 

 before its beginnings were recognized. Thus science has 

 brought emancipation from theological bondage, and set 

 free the spirit of man for higher flights in the future. 



In philosophy, the evolutionary theory has necessitated a 

 change from the concept of a static to that of a dynamic 

 universe, as witness the contrast between the philosophical 

 systems of the early nineteenth century and the views of 

 Bergson. 11 This change has not yet completed its remodel- 

 ling of philosophical theories. But only a philosopher can 

 explain its workings in detail. 



In the field of social phenomena, the influence of the 

 evolutionary theory appears in the recurrent question- 

 ing of the necessity for existing conditions. If the revolu- 

 tions of the later eighteenth and earlier nineteenth centu- 

 ries attacked the foundations of civic power and sought to 

 install the authority of peoples over that of kings, the un- 

 seen revolution induced by the evolutionary theory has 

 shaken the whole edifice of social tradition. Whatever is 

 may be the natural outcome of the evolution of society to 

 date, but it is not thereby right nor is it necessarily perma- 

 nent. The evolutionist may recognize the stability of social 

 customs that have arisen by evolution; but he also recog- 

 nizes these customs as subject to change. Moreover, the 

 human race must consider the intelligent direction of its 

 future evolution as a possibility, however remote. Evolu- 

 tion has not always taken the most desirable course, as 

 witness the degeneration incident to parasitism; and while 

 man will probably have little to do with its outcome in the 

 human species, what he may do is worth considering. 



The influence of the evolutionary concept may be seen 



11 It does not seem to the writer that the ideas of Bergson are particularly 

 enlightening to the biological scientist. They exhibit too much of mysticism. 

 But they illustrate the advent of a philosophy which takes more cognizance of 

 organic evolution. 



