298 The Evolution Hypothesis. 



dynamic bonds, and have claimed for intelligence a 

 realm peculiar to itself, and in which the laws of 

 mind, and not those of matter and motion, are the 

 discoverable order. We have examined critically the 

 fundamental axiom of evolution the persistence of 

 force ; and have demonstrated that it is illusory as 

 a basis on which to rear a system of philosophy. 

 We have tested the formula which expresses the law 

 of the cosmic movement, and have shown it to be 

 wanting in precision and of no scientific value. We 

 have inquired what are the postulates involved in 

 the hypothesis, and have proved that from its initial 

 step evolution is burdened with unwarranted assump- 

 tions. By this criticism of first principles, we have 

 been led to the conclusion that evolutionism is not 

 tenable as a philosophy ; that if accepted it must lead 

 to universal scepticism. 



Having dealt with the fundamental principles un- 

 derlying the hypothesis, we then proceeded to test 

 its worth as an interpretation of known phenomena. 

 Our first inquiry has been as to the origin of the 

 forms and activities of inorganic matter, and we have 

 shown that in this field evolution fails us in every 

 vital question. We then examine its account of the 

 transition from inorganic matter to life, and we find 

 it incompetent to give any rational answer to the- 

 questions that arise in discussing the origin of living 

 things. We have subjected to criticism the physio- 

 logical unit, by whose polarity all forms of organisms- 



