1894.) The Energy of Evolution. 207 
process of progressive evolution, which is accomplished by 
successive modifications of this growth-energy, we see further 
reason for distinguishing it widely from the inorganic 
energies. 
It is customary to distinguish broadly between inorganic 
and organic energies, as those which are displayed by non-liy- 
ing and living bodies. This classification is inexact, since, as 
already remarked, nearly all of the inorganic energies are 
exhibited by living beings. A division which appears to be, 
with our present knowledge, much more fundamental, is into 
the energies which tend away from, and those which tend 
towards, the phenomena of life. In other words, those which 
are not necessarily phenomena of life, and those which are 
necessarily such. And the phenomena of life here referred to 
are the phenomena of growth and evolution, as distinguished 
from all others. I have termed? these classes the Anagenetic, 
which are exclusively vital, and the Catagenetic, which are 
physical and chemical. The Anagenetic class tends to upward 
progress in the organic sense; that is, toward the increasing 
control of its environment by the organism, and toward the 
origin and development of consciousness and mind. The 
Catagenetic energies tend to the creation of a stable equilib- 
rium of matter, in which molar motion is not produced from 
within, and sensation is impossible. In popular language the 
one class of energies tends to life; the other to death. 
That the Catagenetic energies whether physical or chemical, 
tend away from life is clear enough. Thus molar motion 
unless continuously supplied, or directed by a living source, 
speedily ceases, being converted by friction into heat, which is 
dissipated. And were we to suppose a case where friction is 
non-existent, motion would remain molar, and no phenomena 
of organic life would result, and sensation could not arise. 
The same is true of molecular movements under the same con- 
ditions. Chemical reactions, which are fundamental in world- 
building, result in the production of solids and the radiation 
of heat. The most familiar example, that of oxydation, 
Presents us with the case of a gas becoming a liquid 
*The Monist Chicago, 1893, p. 630. 
