1 2 HEREDITY 



base a defence of a non-scientific doctrine upon a 

 present defect in scientific knowledge. Our know- 

 ledge of the causes of variation is — or, rather, 

 very recently was — extremely uncertain and scanty. 

 Upon this evanescent circumstance is erected some 

 such theory as the following : Heredity is un- 

 doubtedly a " law of Nature," and may some day be 

 completely explained by science. But variation, 

 on the other hand, is found inexplicable by science 

 — cannot be reduced to law. Now without varia- 

 tion there can be no organic evolution, as men of 

 science themselves assert. But organic evolution, 

 ever making for progress, is clear evidence of 

 Purpose behind things. Hence we may accept the 

 theory of organic evolution, which it is no longer 

 possible to doubt ; but must believe that Creative 

 Design is not incompatible with it. The Deity, 

 however, acts not, as we used to think, by instan- 

 taneous creation, but by gradual creation through 

 evolution. The evolutionary process is directed 

 towards the ultimate purpose by the gradual intro- 

 duction of such variations as (being perpetuated by 

 heredity) make ever for progress. This is the 

 reason why men of science cannot explain variation ; 

 and since the whole process of organic evolution 

 depends upon variation, they will, sooner or later, 

 be compelled to recognise the Divine Hand as the 

 prime mover which is above all law. Thus are 

 orthodoxy and evolution reconciled ; and the 

 doctrine of teleology, or purpose, or final causes 

 is found to be indispensable to the adequate 

 statement of the scientific theory. . . . No direct 

 and present criticism of this position is necessary ; 



