184 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
WINDS OF DOCTRINE.* 
U NDER the title of 11 Winds of Doctrine,” which we cannot but regard 
as somewhat unhappily chosen, although from a certain point of view the 
satire of the allusion is not without its force, Dr. Elam has published an 
assault upon the citadel of the doctrine of evolution. The point of the title is 
to show that Dr. Elam considers those whom he assails “ unstable as water,” 
and in the apostolic phrase u carried about with every wind of doctrine ; ” 
and the points that he attacks are the modem theory of evolution and the 
doctrine of automatism which has been founded upon it by some leading 
scientific men of high standing. It may be remarked, however, as indicating 
the author’s standpoint, that while both he and his antagonists derive the 
doctrine of automatism from that of evolution, he places the derivative first 
in order, which may be taken to show that his objection to the theory of 
evolution depends rather upon its supposed consequences than upon its own 
demerits. 
With regard to automatism Dr. Elam, by a long series of quotations from 
various writers, especially Professors Huxley and Tyndall, and Mr. Herbert 
Spencer, succeeds, we think, in demonstrating that his opponents have 
pushed matters too far ; and in his inability to comprehend the nature of 
u an automaton endowed with free will,” we can most certainly sympathize 
with him. But with all due deference to the distinguished philosophers who 
have derived this doctrine of automatism, pure or modified, from the theory 
of evolution, we cannot think that the former is by any means a necessary 
consequence of the latter ; and we fancy that a very great number of natural- 
ists who believe in the origin of species by descent with modification will be 
found to be of our opinion. Without going in for any spiritualistic doctrine 
whatever, we think it quite possible to see in organised beings qualities 
quite incompatible with the mechanical theory of life ; and in reality, with 
our present knowledge, it is impossible to say that that theory is the true 
one. 
At the same time we may remind Dr. Elam, if his argument has been 
urged, as would appear to be the case, in the theological interest, that a 
very considerable section of the Christian world holds opinions which if 
logically carried out to their consequences involve the notion of human 
automatism as inexorably as the materialistic conception against which he 
has couched his lance ; and in fact that the very notion of a personal deity, 
unless we choose arbitrarily to abridge his attributes, may easily be shown 
to be incompatible with human free-will. But, as Prof. Huxley says, in 
one of the passages quoted by Dr. Elam : — “ Why trouble ourselves about 
matters of which, however important they may be, we do know nothin g 
and can know nothing ?” These matters have been discussed in all times f 
in fact if we are to believe Milton, even the devils discoursed of fate, free- 
will, and foreknowledge, before man made his appearance on the face of the 
earth, though what possible interest devils could feel in such questions is 
* 11 Winds of Doctrine : being an Examination of the Modern Theories of 
Automatism and Evolution.” By Charles Elam, M.D. 8vo. London : 
Smith, Elder & Co. 1876. 
