115 
ORDINARY' GENERAL MEETING* 
Arthur W. Sutton, Esq., F.L.S., in the Chair. 
The Minutes of the previous Meeting were read and confirmed, and 
the following Candidates were elected : — 
Associates : — Mr. Sim Boon Kwang, Singapore ; Miss Caroline Mary 
Longdon, Derby. Mr. J. Townsend Trench, Walham Green. 
Library Associates: — Birmingham Free 'Library ; Nottingham Free 
Library. 
The following paper was then read by the author : — 
PHILOSOPHY AND “ EVOLUTION ” : AN INQUIRY. 
By Professor H. Langhorne Orchard, M.A., B.Sc. 
W HAT is Philosophy ? What is “ Evolution ” ? Is 
“ Evolution ” a Philosophy ? 
Let us compare them, and see whether, in logical language, 
the two terms “ agree ” or “ disagree.” 
Definition of Philosophy. — If Philosophy be defined as the 
study of first principles, its function is 
1. To investigate the Origins of things. 
2. To Explain facts. 
3. To Unify knowledge in accordance with our intuitions. 
Definitions of “ Evolution.” — What is “ Evolution ” ?f Diverse 
answers are given. It is a change, say, of form and con- 
figuration, as in an army or a fleet. It is development — the 
growth and passage to maturity and end of the structures 
and functions belonging to living organisms. Instead of a life- 
history it may be any other kind of history, e.g., of another 
“ evolution,” the “ evolution ” of an “ evolution.” We may have 
* Monday, February 17th, 1908. 
f Dr. Walter Kidd has pointed out (Difficulties of Evolution) that “ it 
is the nebulous character of the doctrine of Evolution which constitutes 
its strength.” 
