THE DOGMA OF EVOLUTION 



intelligible. The only alternative is the doctrine of 

 special creation which may be true but is irrational. 

 The origins of the human races certainly go far back 

 in time. But, on the other hand, the causes and 

 method of evolution have become a matter of such 

 doubt that the better biologists, themselves, admit 

 they are not on the track of any satisfactory proofs. 

 In addition to what may be called the scientific con- 

 fusion amongst biologists, they have been shocked, 

 and even dazed, by recent sudden attacks from the 

 outside on them and on their work. They are driven 

 to the defensive and agree with Professor Conklin 

 who introduces the subject of human evolution with 

 the outburst that: '"During the past few years, and 

 especially within the past twelvemonth, there has 

 been a remarkable recrudescence of the old theologic- 

 al opposition to the theory of evolution, especially as 

 applied to man."^ And he characterizes this outbreak 

 as the most ignorant, frenzied, and intolerant that 

 has ever been uttered against this theory. 



We now learn that after sixty years of persistent re- 

 search, the causes of evolution are unknown ; natural 

 selection, with its catch-words of struggle for exist- 

 ence and survival of the fittest, is losing ground ; the 

 despised Lamarckism with its metaphysical back- 

 ground is gaining in favour. Is it, then, surprising 

 that laymen should confuse mere faith in evolution 

 of some sort with the controversies as to its cause, and 



8 The Direction of Human Evolution, Scribner's, 1922, 2d ed., p. v. 



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