142 HOLISM AND EVOLUTION chap. 



great deal of mechanism; the detailed processes and func- 

 tions are largely carried out by what one might call organic 

 mechanisms, structures, with particular functions assigned 

 to them. But the unification of the whole system and its 

 self-regulating character; its plasticity of co-ordination and 

 adjustment under all the situations of the environment which 

 it has to face and to which it has to adapt itself; its creative 

 movement in time, so different from what one would expect 

 on the second law of thermodynamics; the unique facts of 

 growth, restitution and reproduction, which not even a 

 strained application of the mechanistic scheme would fit — • 

 these are facts and features which Holism alone can properly 

 justify and explain. 



It may be convenient if, before concluding this chapter, 

 I give a summary of the various functions which are here 

 assigned to Holism in the shaping of reality. 



(A) I. In the first place. Holism is a creative factor, 

 and as such shows itself in the upbuilding and differentia- 

 tion of organic structures and their functions. These may 

 be modifications or variations or mutations. They may 

 be ordinary specific differences such as explain the origin of 

 different species. These differences may include new organs 

 and structures, or merely the general complexifying of 

 existing structures which makes organisms as a whole more 

 complex. All these aspects of Holism are discussed in 

 Chapter VIII. 



2. This creative Holism is, of course, responsible for 

 the whole course of Evolution, inorganic as well as organic. 

 All the great main types of existence are therefore due to 

 it, such as the atom, molecule, cell, organism, the great 

 groups of plant types, the great groups of animal types, 

 and finally the human type. Creative Holism is thus re- 

 sponsible for all the great divisions of Science. The cur- 

 sory discussion of these aspects of Holism is spread over 

 various chapters. 



(B) I. In the second place, apart from the detailed 

 structural and functional differentiations above referred to, 

 Holism is a general organising, co-ordinating or regulating 



