vin DARWINISM AND DESIGN 155 



Evolution as mechanical as Darwinism. But I believe it 

 could be shown that all these mechanical laws of Evolu 

 tion, from Spencer s law of differentiation downwards, fail 

 just where Darwinism pure and simple failed viz. in 

 accounting for the historical fact of progress. Either, 

 therefore, we should have to admit that an as yet unformu- 

 lated mechanical law of Evolution accounted for progres 

 sion, or that it was due to an agency of a different order, 

 to the guidance of an intelligent and purposive activity. 

 It may be suggested, however, that a critical examination 

 of the current mechanical theories of Evolution must 

 distinctly strengthen the belief that there has been opera 

 tive in the history of life an intelligent force to which we 

 must ascribe the progression and direction of the process 

 of Evolution. And inasmuch as Darwinism occupies a 

 leading place among these mechanical theories, its exam 

 ination will greatly conduce to that result. 



We have discussed so far only mechanical theories of 

 Evolution. But in itself Evolution is not necessarily 

 bound to be mechanical ; it is perfectly possible to regard 

 it as the gradual working out of a divine purpose. And 

 once we adopt the evolutionist standpoint, it is clear that 

 the Argument from Design is materially and perceptibly 

 strengthened, (i) Positively, because Evolutionism lets 

 us as it were behind the scenes and shows us how means 

 are adapted to ends in the gradual process of Evolution. 

 This renders easier and more comprehensible the belief 

 underlying all teleology in a power that intelligently 

 adapts means to ends. (2) Negatively, Evolutionism 

 greatly weakens the objection to the teleological argument 

 based on the imperfection of existing adaptations. We 

 are no longer compelled to proclaim everything already 

 perfect ; it suffices that we can find nourishment for the 

 faith that everything is being made perfect. 



If, then, Evolutionism strengthens the Argument from 

 Design, the latter indirectly owes a debt of gratitude to 

 the theories which have facilitated the adoption of the 

 Evolutionist standpoint. And among these Darwinism 

 stands pre-eminent. Evolutionism was as old as one of 



