THE MEANING OF EVOLUTION 

 BY JOHN M. COULTER, PH.D. 



Professor of Botany, University of Chicago 



THE meaning of evolution is probably more mis- 

 understood than any doctrine of science. The 

 reason for it is that it has been discussed very 

 freely by those who are not informed, and in this way 

 much misinformation has been propagated. The evolu- 

 tion of the material world, called inorganic evolution, 

 aroused wonder but not apprehension; but when or- 

 ganic evolution came into prominence hostility was 

 aroused, because such evolution seemed to involve man. 

 <The general meaning of organic evolution is that the 

 plant and animal kingdoms have developed in a con- 

 tinuous, orderly way, under the guidance of natural 

 laws, just as the solar system has evolved in obedience 

 to natural laws. There are at least three important 

 reasons why an understanding of the doctrine of evolu- 

 tion should be regarded as a necessary part of college 

 training: 



I. It has revolutionized modern thought. Every 

 subject to-day is being attacked on the basis of its 

 evolution. Not only are inorganic and organic evolu- 

 tion being considered, but also the evolution of language, 

 of literature, of society, of government, of religion. In 

 other words, it is a point of view which represents the 

 atmosphere of modern investigation in every field. 



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