6 EVOLUTION AND ETHICS. i 



The word " evolution/' now generally applied 

 to the cosmic process, has had a singular history, 

 and is used in various senses.* Taken in its popu-.' 

 lar signification it means progressive development, 

 that is, gradual change from a condition of relative 

 uniformity to one of relative complexity; but its 

 connotation has been widened to include the phe- 

 nomena of retrogressive metamorphosis, that is, of 

 progress from a condition of relative complexity 

 to one of relative uniformity. 



As a natural process, of the same character as 

 the development of a tree from its seed, or of a 

 fowl from its egg, evolution excludes creation and 

 all other kinds of supernatural intervention. As 

 the expression of a fixed order, every stage of 

 which is the effect of causes operating according 

 to definite rules, the conception of evolution no 

 less excludes that of chance. It is very desirable 

 to remember that evolution is not an explanation 

 of the cosmic process, but merely a generalized 

 statement of the method and results of that pro- 

 cess. And, further, that, if there is proof that the 

 cosmic process was set going by any agent, then 

 that agent will be the creator of it and of all 

 its products, although supernatural intervention 

 may remain strictly excluded from its further 

 course. 



So far as that limited revelation of the nature 

 of things, which we call scientific knowledge, has 



• See " Evolution in Biology," Essays, vol. ii. p. 187. 



