214 



THE AMEBICAN NATUEALIST 



[Vol. LIIl 



It may be interesting perhaps to consider where such 

 assumptions would lead us. Suppose that we adopt the 

 absolutist idea of an Infinite Knower, having cognizance 

 of the future as well as the past, or rather including both 

 future and past in one eternal present. By getting into 

 connection with this, our entelechy could doubtless solve 

 any ]^roblem which confronted it. But how, on such an 

 assumption, could we account for the multitudinous mis- 

 a.lai)tations which confront us? How should we explain 

 an instinct which led to the harboring of baneful para- 

 sites in an ant community or a regenerative process 

 which resulted in the formation of the wrong organ? 

 Perhaps these perplexing cases would be merged into the 

 general mystery of the origin of evil, and there, indeed, 

 may be where they belong. 



But we are not compelled to accept an absolutist inter- 

 pretation of things. As scientists, we may find it more 

 easy to lieliove in the evolution of God, in a " Dieu qui se 

 fait. ■ Well and good, but then the essence of this view 

 is the i/rHi)r;^s of everything that happens. No mind, 

 however infinite, could foresee the future, for the simple 

 reason that the future is not detenniiicd until it comes to 

 pass. Even our deity must learn by ('X])riieiice, and 

 "entelechy" would have to do the saiiu/. In that case 

 neither would be of much service in attempt iiiu' to ex- 

 plain organic purposefulness. Had we picx innsl\ learned 

 to expect any great amount of consistency among the 

 various views of M. Bergson, it won Id have been a source 

 of surprise to us to find him coupling together this idea 

 of "creative evolution" with a transcendental "elan 

 vital," which provides the organism with useful struc- 

 tures without the guidance of experi(Mice. 



Such a .h'pai-lniv as 1 liave nn-uh- fnuii the lield of 

 h'i^itlniate M.ienlilie di^en^Hon niay ^lun-k the>e <.r my 

 readei'^ ulio ^hv at anvthin- ^u-uotive of inetaphy>le~ 

 or theeh.-y. r>nt we have heen tnhl with inerea>in- 

 freciueney of hite that <.nr aeeepte.l -eientilie method^ 



