THE LIMITS OF EVOLUTION 9 



CUSS this question critically and definitively, and so 

 let us ask, — 



(i) Whether evolution really has no limits at 

 all? 



(2) Whether it has not limits even within the 

 universe of phenomena, and, if it has, what these 

 limits are ? 



(3) If these limits, though recognisable, can still 

 be passed, what is the only clue to the possibility 

 of making evolution cosmically continuous ? 



But here many a reader will probably say. How 

 can there be any serious question in this matter 

 at all, at least for minds that have finally broken 

 with external authority, and believe the human fac- 

 ulties, working upon the evidence of facts, to be 

 the only judges of what is true? Has not science 

 now spoken in this matter, and in words that can- 

 not be reversed ? To this I would reply, that on 

 the question really started in the mind of our times, 

 the question which I raise in this essay, science in 

 its own proper function has absolutely nothing to 

 say. The truth is, science never has said anything 

 about it, and never will nor can say anything about 

 it. Many scientific experts have no doubt had much 

 to say in the matter, and oftenest in the interest of 

 the evolutional philosophy. But they ought to get 

 aware, and everybody else ought to keep aware, that 

 when they talk of a universal principle of evolution, 



