148 THE PROBLEM OF EVOLUTION 



all the processes of Nature from her material 

 aspect, as being a system of atomic motion, 

 is, in itself, no theory of life. It becomes such 

 through bold, and in this case false, philo- 

 sophical generalisations, when the assertion is 

 made that nothing can exist except systems 

 of moving atoms. That atomistic philosophy, 

 as a theory of nature, has nothing to do with 

 either the heathen or the Christian theory of 

 life, is obvious. Von Hansemann ought to 

 have distinguished his ideas more clearly, before 

 undertaking to enlighten his audience on the 

 relation existing between the Christian theory 

 of life, and the scientific doctrine of evolution 

 among the Japanese. 



The speaker continued : ' Father Wasmann 

 thinks that the numerous problems, which force 

 themselves upon us, can be reduced to one great 

 problem. 1 



' But even he does not succeed in thus reducing 

 them, for he soon discovers a new problem, viz. 

 that of vitalism. The vitalist is a man who has 

 devoted himself more or less to the consideration of 

 scientific questions, and if he has not succeeded in 

 solving them, he has said to himself : " There is 

 still something that cannot be explained, because 



1 Von Hansemann seems to be referring to the problem of creation. But 

 have the origin of the first organisms and vitalism nothing to do with this 

 problem, as he alleges ? 



