Evolution: Its nature, its evidence, and its relation to religious thought

CHAPTER VI.

Chapter 18233 wordsPublic domain

THE OBJECTION, THAT THE ABOVE VIEW IMPLIES PANTHEISM, ANSWERED.

_The objection stated and the general answer_--In deepest questions single lines of thought lead to extreme views--Must follow other lines--These lead to personality 335

(1) Exact character of relation of God and of necessary law to man’s freedom is inscrutable 338

(2) On the inside of brain-changes we find personality--So on the inside of natural phenomena must also be person--In either case science studies the outside only--In Nature all is mechanics on the outside, but all is mind on the inside--Thought behind brain-changes compels belief in same behind natural phenomena--Law of infinite expansion-- Illustrated by ideas of Space and Time--So also with idea of self--Infinite person inconceivable, but contrary is more inconceivable--Illustrated by ideas of Space and Time 338

(3) Idea of _Causation_ and of _Force_--Derived from _within_ --Steps of the evolution of this idea--Final result is one infinite personal will--Expansion of idea of causal nexus between phenomena to the idea of one infinite cause 342

(4) Idea of _design_ also originates _within_--Ineradicable, but changes form--Expands to infinity--Same change produced by science in all our notions concerning God--Same in our sense of _mystery_--Same in our notions concerning _creation_-- Same in our conceptions of _design_--Thus, self-consciousness behind brain-changes compels belief in God behind Nature--The closeness of connection in the one case necessitates closeness of connection in the other--Every material change in Nature caused by a mental change behind Nature 345