172 THE METAPHYSICS OF EVOLUTION. 



This explanation should suffice to render the 

 assertion of metaphysical principles in Evolution a 

 truism rather than a paradox, and to convince us 

 that, if their importance is in any way proportionate 

 to their scientific value, they will throw much light 

 upon the ultimate problems of life. And it will be 

 the object of this chapter to show, not only what 

 the metaphysical principles underlying the progress 

 of modern science are, but also that our expectat- 

 ions as to their value are likely to be more than 

 fulfilled. 



§ 2. The great method of science which has 

 proved so fruitful of progress in modern times has 

 been the Historical Method, which investigates 

 things by tracing their history. Wherever it has 

 been possible to apply it, the light thrown on the 

 nature of things by the study of their history 



sciences owe nothing to metaphysics. On the contrary, the ob- 

 ligation is reciprocal, and metaphysics react upon science and 

 accelerate its progress. And in early times metaphysical know- 

 ledge is often far ahead of physical science. But in such cases 

 the metaphysical conceptions are apt to prove barren, because no 

 physical facts are known which exemplify them. And being thus 

 destitute of illustration by reason of the backwardness of the 

 physical sciences, the true metaphysics are often rejected in 

 favour of less advanced principles, which may be supported by 

 a plausible show of facts. It is pretty clear, for instance, that in 

 the time of Aristotle Greek metaphysics were far ahead, not only 

 of Greek science, but also of all but the most recent develop- 

 ments of modern science. The lack of progressiveness of pure 

 metaphysics since is to be attributed, not merely to the disastrous 

 introduction into speculative philosophy of the popular doctrine 

 of God's "infinity" (ch. x. § 7), but also to the fact that meta- 

 physics had to wait until the physical sciences had reached a 

 point which afforded the data for further metaphysical progress. 

 Hence, as we shall see (§ 16), the metaphysical principles of 

 Evolution were already contemplated by Aristotle, but rejected 

 by him for lack of the scientific corroboration which they are 

 now receiving. 



