Conclusion 363 



needs ; He is not only the ideal of human efforts. To put it 

 technically, Christian philosophy cannot dispense with ontology ; 

 the modern division of philosophy into the theory of knowledge, 

 psychology, and ethics cannot be a philosophy of the Christian 

 religion. If this be granted, the metaphysics of science needs 

 rather more consideration than it has received in the body of this 

 volume, and I propose to offer a few additional considerations on 

 this subject. 



It is a common error to speak of the doctrine of science when 

 what is meant is Naturalism, which is a philosophy advocated by 

 many students of science. Much confusion would be avoided if 

 it were realised how little of what is called Naturalism depends 

 directly on the results of nature-study. Let us then consider what 

 Naturalism means. 



It arose as a protest against supernaturalism, and as such has 

 existed from the atomistic theory of Democritus to modern 

 materialism. We find it opposing all mythology and miracle, 

 insisting that throughout nature there runs a constant association 

 of cause and effect, so that whatever happens could be explained 

 simply and adequately if we knew its natural antecedents. As 

 knowledge advanced, the hope was strengthened that all things 

 would be found to be bound together in a uniform and necessary 

 system. In almost all naturalistic theories we find an aversion 

 from the idea of purpose. Teleology is banished as well as super- 

 natural intervention. The machine of nature must somehow run 

 by itself. 



Now we have to distinguish between two widely different 

 developments of Naturalism. One of these tends to an apotheosis 

 of nature, as the life of a world-soul, which may become the object 

 of religious reverence. Instead of ending in atheism. Naturalism 

 may end in pantheism. This has been one of the most important 

 lines of human thought. It is well represented in Greek 

 philosophy, and has been the creed of many great men in modern 

 times, of whom Goethe may serve as the type. As an example of 

 this kind of Naturalism, " touched with emotion," I will quote 

 some beautiful but little-known lines by Constance Naden : 



Yes, thou shalt die ; but these almighty forces. 

 That meet to form thee, live for evermore ; 



They hold the stars in their eternal courses, 



And shape the long sand-grasses on the shore. 



