818 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



one essential character remains unchanged. It is a peculiar relation 

 of cause and effect operating in time and exhibiting the one essen- 

 tial characteristic of having been directed in the past, and of being 

 continually directed in the present, to some end which is future, 

 the direction being of that nature which we instinctively and 

 accurately call an aim." * 



In a recent article on Darwinism and Design, in the Contem- 

 porary Review, f Prof. F. C. S. Schiller concludes his interesting 

 contribution as follows: 



" We have discussed so far only mechanical theories of evolu- 

 tion. But in itself evolution is not necessarily bound to be me- 

 chanical; it is perfectly possible to regard it as the gradual working 

 of a divine purpose. And once we adopt the evolutionist stand- 

 point, it is clear that the argument from design is materially and per- 

 ceptibly strengthened: (1) 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 comprehensive the belief underlying all teleology in a power 

 that intelligently adapts means to ends. (2) Negatively, evolution- 

 ism greatly weakens the objection to the teleological argument based 

 on the imperfection of existing adaptations. We are no longer com- 

 pelled to proclaim everything 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 led to the general adoption of the evolutionist standpoint. And 

 among these Darwinism stands pre-eminent. Evolutionism was as 

 old as one of the earliest Greek philosophies; but it was not until 

 Darwinism made it a household word that it could force its way into 

 the consciousness of men at large. And as a philosopher who re- 

 gards evolutionism in some form as affording the most hopeful 

 method of approaching the mystery of existence, I am inclined to 

 hold that when historical perfection has cleared away the mole-hills 

 we have made into mountains, it will be here that will be found 

 Darwin's most momentous and enduring service to knowledge and 

 to mankind." 



From the foregoing it would seem that all unbiased minds 

 should be forced to acknowledge that teleology, far from being weak- 

 ened or completely eliminated from the circle of the sciences, is, on 

 the contrary, demonstrably in a far more impregnable position than 

 ever before. We have, however, to deal with a certain class of 

 agnostics who insist on reducing everything in creation to force 



* Pages 145 et seq. \ June, 1897, p. 883. 



