The Ascent of Man 235 



of the higher, e.g., physical changes in terms of life, 

 for that is not in accordance with the rules of scientific 

 description. But Professor Lloyd Morgan seeks to 

 show that it is not inconsistent with his evolutionist 

 science to acknowledge God as the immaterial source 

 of all change and "the nisus through whose activity 

 emergents emerge, and the whole course of emergent 

 evolution is directed." 



As our knowledge increases, we realize more of 

 man's debt to his pre-human ancestors. There is an 

 evolutionary momentum behind him, making for 

 kindliness and integration. It is an ascent, not a 

 descent, which science discloses; and the doctrine of 

 "the Fall" must be adapted to the facts. As our 

 knowledge increases, we realize that there is little 

 justification for thinking of primitive man as brutal 

 or brutish; there is reason for thinking of him as 

 clever and kindly, adventurous and inventive. Here, 

 again, it is a rise, not a fall which science discloses. 



In any case, the apartness of man remains, what- 

 ever be his pedigree. Man is not less great because a 

 scion of a stock common to him and to the gorilla. 

 We must look on the rock whence we were hewn and 

 the depth whence we were digged, but there are other 

 directions in which we must also look. "What a piece 

 of work is a man ! How noble in reason ! How infinite 

 in faculty! In form and moving how express and 

 admirable ! In action how like 'an angel ! In apprehen- 

 sion how like a god !" Part of the truth lies here and 

 Natural History must keep in tune. 



Some people seem never to get past talking of 



