CHAPTER II 



EXPLANATION OF THE EVOLUTIONARY DIFFICULTIES 



IF we look back at the difficulties in explaining evolution 

 by the theories of classical transformism we shall see 

 them disappear in the light of the concept which has now 

 been set forth. 



We may understand that the birth and evolution of 

 a world is a vast materialisation of the universal dynamo- 

 psychism. 



We may understand how the greater can proceed 

 from the less, since the creative Immanence which is 

 necessarily the essence of all things, contains all potential 

 capacities for realisation. 



We may understand the origin of species and instincts 

 by the vital surge of creative evolution. Evolution is 

 thus distinguished as a genuine materialisation of the 

 Idea, a materialisation which is progressive and dis- 

 continuous ; an impulse at first anarchic and unconscious, 

 then subconscious and ' lucid,' conforming to evolutionary 

 necessities, and coming about according to a kind of 

 acquired (though unreasoned) purpose, finally developing 

 in the future into one which is consciously willed. 



W"e may understand the sudden transformations 

 which create species, and the immediate and definite 

 crystallisation of the essential characteristics of new 

 species, by the fact that the creative impulse, if not 

 actually discontinuous, is (at least apparently) inter- 

 mittent. It is easy to answer the question, Why should 

 the creative impulse be intermittent ? It is so only in 

 its visible manifestations ; it is continuous, though latent, 

 in the intervals between manifestations. Thus the 

 appearance of a new species is prepared and determined 



284 



