7 1 8 Studies in the l^hcory of Descent. 



We are, however, already convinced that both the 

 organic and the inorganic worlds are dependent 

 only upon mechanical forces, for to this conclusion 

 we are led, not only by the results of investigators 

 who have restricted themselves to limited pro- 

 vinces, but also by the most general considerations. 

 But although the force of these arguments may 

 not be acknowledged, and although one might 

 maintain that the inductional proofs against the 

 existence of a " phyletic vital force " have been 

 directed only against points of detail, or have 

 never been completely demonstrated, i. e. for all 

 points, it must nevertheless be conceded, that for 

 the naturalist the mechanical conception of Nature 

 is the only one possible that he is not at all 

 justified in abandoning this view so long as the 

 interference of teleological forces in the course of 

 the processes of organic development has not 

 been demonstrated to him. Thus, it will not be 

 immaterial whether a conception of Nature which 

 to many seems inevitable is consistent with the 

 idea of universal design, or a final directive uni- 

 versal principle, since the value which we may 

 attach to our own lives and aims, essentially 

 depends thereon. The final and main result of 

 this essay will thus be found in the attempted 

 demonstration that the mechanical conception of 

 Nature very well admits of being united with a 

 teleological conception of the Universe. 



THE END. 



