IV 



THE FOUNDATION OF EVOLUTION 



THE object of the philosopher is to survey "all 

 time and all existence"; and, having done so, to 

 enunciate such propositions as shall unify and 

 clarify what was formerly multifarious and obscure. 

 To this end he must first provide himself with 

 certain data or assumptions such as the familiar 

 axioms which served for the foundation of the 

 mathematical system of Euclid. In time past 

 every philosopher has taken more or less cognizance 

 of the definite or scientific knowledge of his time. 

 Similarly each new kind of religion which is a 

 specialized form of philosophy has largely de- 

 pended upon the state of scientific knowledge at 

 the time of its inception. The peculiar difficulty 

 of the theologian whether Christian, Mohamme- 

 dan, or whatever he be is thus to reconcile the 

 dogmas based upon the scientific knowledge or the 

 Cosmology of any given century with the exten- 

 sions and modifications to which time inevitably 

 subjects it. 



If the facts of science are to be accepted as 

 facts, the philosopher is fortunate who has them, 

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