PEEFACE. 



THE doctrine of Evolution, representing as it does Nature's uniform 

 method whereby all progressive changes are accomplished, whether in 

 Physics, Biology, Psychology, Sociology, or Ethics, is susceptible of 

 an infinite variety of expository illustrations. The present volume, 

 which is the natural successor of previous courses of lectures before the 

 Brooklyn Ethical Association on Evolution and Sociology, exemplifies 

 the workings of this universal law in some of the special departments 

 of Science, Philosophy, and Art. 



The seventeen lectures herewith presented may be naturally segre- 

 gated under these several heads. To the department of Science be- 

 longs the able exposition and critique of the contributions of Alfred 

 Russel Wallace, the co-discoverer with Charles Darwin of the law of 

 Natural Selection, to the doctrine of Evolution, by our foremost Amer- 

 ican biologist, Prof. Edward D. Cope, together with the monographs 

 on the evolution of Chemistry, Electric and Magnetic Physics, Botany, 

 Zoology, and Optics, and Mr. Potts's interesting discussion of the devel- 

 opment of Form and Color in Nature. 



To the department of Philosophy may properly be assigned the ex- 

 position of the life, work, and philosophical system of Prof. Ernst 

 Haeckel, the eminent German evolutionist, in the lecture of Mr. Wake- 

 man and the appended discussion, Dr. Abbot's exposition of The Sci- 

 entific Method, Mr. Underwood's able presentation of the principles of 

 Herbert Spencer's Synthetic Philosophy. Dr. Janes's application of 

 the philosophy of Evolution to the Art of Life, and the noteworthy 

 discussion of The Doctrine of Evolution, its Scope and Influence, by 

 Prof. John Fiske, our ablest American exponent of this doctrine in its 

 ethical and philosophical aspects. The final outcome of these lectures 

 constitutes, it is believed, a complete refutation of the charge of ma- 

 terialism sometimes unjustly made against Mr. Spencer and the whole 

 modern school of evolutionists. This is a matter of great interest and 

 profound significance, to which we commend the thoughtful attention 

 of the reader and reviewer. 



