COSMIC PHILOSOPHY 



let us now approach the subject somewhat more 

 closely, and examine certain metaphysical argu- 

 ments upon which it has lately been sought to 

 base an elaborate teleological theory. The " In- 

 quiry into the Theories of History/* by Mr. 

 William Adam, presents us with what is prob- 

 ably the last form of the attempt to carry on 

 scientific research by theological methods, and 

 two or three of its arguments may here be fitly 

 noticed, as typical of the entire class to which 

 they belong. 



Mr. Adam accepts, with some qualifications, 

 the doctrine of Descartes and Spinoza, that 

 causes resemble their effects. He holds that 

 physical, intellectual, and moral causes respec- 

 tively resemble their physical, intellectual, and 

 moral effects ; and hence infers that the Deity, 

 as a moral and intellectual cause, must resemble 

 the effect Man — must therefore purpose, con- 

 trive, and exert volition. The conclusion would 

 have more weight, were it not so manifestly 

 begged in the premise. Next, even in this modi- 

 fied shape, the rule that causes resemble their 

 effects is hampered by awkward exceptions, in 

 dealing with which Mr. Adam has not been 

 fortunate. Assuming, for example, that heat is 

 the cause of steam, he maintains the likeness of 

 the cause to its effect on the ground that both 

 are in a j/^/d" of molecular agitation ! The men- 

 tal confusion which resulted in this extraordi- 

 194 



