Evolution

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This volume contains the October 1901 Publisher's Catalogue, however the catalogue is not listed in the regular Table of Contents. The Catalogue follows the final Chapter.

Other Transcriber Notes appear at the end of this e-text.

THE CHURCHMAN'S LIBRARY EDITED BY J. H. BURN, B.D.

EVOLUTION

+------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | THE CHURCHMAN'S LIBRARY | | | | EDITED BY | | JOHN HENRY BURN, B.D. | | Examining Chaplain to the Lord Bishop of Aberdeen. | | | | THE BEGINNINGS OF ENGLISH CHRISTIANITY. By W. E. COLLINS, | | M.A., Professor of Ecclesiastical History, King's | | College, London. Crown 8vo, 3s. 6d. [Ready. | | | | THE CHURCH AND THE SACRAMENTS. By E. T. GREEN, M.A., | | Professor of Hebrew and Theology at St. David's College, | | Lampeter. | | | | THE CHURCHMAN'S PRIMER. By G. HARFORD-BATTERSBY, M.A. | | | | THE CHURCHMAN'S DAY BOOK. By J. H. BURN, B.D. | | | | THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN THE COLONIES AND MISSION FIELD. By | | ALLAN B. WEBB, D.D., Assistant Bishop to the Bishop of | | Brechin. | | | | HISTORY OF THE PAPACY. By J. P. WHITNEY, M.A. | | | | OUR CONTROVERSY WITH ROME. By J. M. DANSON, D.D. | | | | THE WORKMANSHIP OF THE PRAYER BOOK. By JOHN DOWDEN, D.D., | | Bishop of Edinburgh. Crown 8vo, 3s. 6d. [Ready. | | | | A POPULAR INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT. By ANGUS M. | | MACKAY, B.A. | | | | A POPULAR INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT. By J. H. | | SHEPHERD, M.A. | | | | THE HEBREW PROPHET. By L. W. BATTEN, Ph.D. | | | | AN INTRODUCTION TO TEXTUAL CRITICISM. By A. M. KNIGHT, | | M.A., Fellow and Dean of Gonville and Caius College, | | Camb. | | | | SOME OLD TESTAMENT PROBLEMS. By JOHN P. PETERS, D.D., | | D.Sc. | | | | SOME NEW TESTAMENT PROBLEMS. By ARTHUR WRIGHT, M.A., | | Fellow and Tutor of Queens' College, Cambridge. Crown | | 8vo, 6s. [Ready. | | | | BIBLE REVISION. By J. J. S. PEROWNE, D.D., Bishop of | | Worcester. | | | | DEVOTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE PAULINE EPISTLES. By JOHN GOTT, | | D.D., Bishop of Truro. | | | | PREACHING. By FREDERIC RELTON, A.K.C. | | | | ENGLISH HYMNS AND HYMN TUNES. By H. C. SHUTTLEWORTH, M.A., | | Professor of Pastoral and Liturgical Theology, King's | | College, London. | | | | THE WITNESS OF ARCHÆOLOGY. By C. J. BALL, M.A., Chaplain | | of Lincoln's Inn. | | | | ENGLISH ECCLESIOLOGY. By J. N. COMPER. | | | | CONFIRMATION. By H. T. KINGDON, D.D., Bishop of | | Fredericton. | | | | INSPIRATION. By Canon BENHAM, D.D. | | | | MIRACLES. By THOMAS B. STRONG, B.D., Student of Christ | | Church, Oxford. | | | | PROVIDENCE AND PRAYER. By V. H. STANTON, D.D., Ely | | Professor of Divinity, Cambridge. | | | | EVOLUTION. By FRANK B. JEVONS, M.A., D.Litt., Principal of | | Bishop Hatfield's Hall, Durham. Crown 8vo, 3s. 6d. | | | | THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN HERE AND HEREAFTER. By Canon | | WINTERBOTHAM, M.A., B.Sc., LL.B. Cr. 8vo, 3s. 6d. | | [Ready. | | | | THE GREAT WORLD RELIGIONS FROM A CHRISTIAN STANDPOINT. By | | H. E. J. BEVAN, M.A., Gresham Professor of Divinity. | | | | COMPARATIVE RELIGION. By J. A. MACCULLOCK. | | | | ENGLISH ECCLESIASTICAL LAW. By W. DIGBY THURNAM. | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------+

EVOLUTION

BY FRANK B. JEVONS, M.A., D.LITT. PRINCIPAL OF BISHOP HATFIELD'S HALL, DURHAM

METHUEN & CO. 36 ESSEX STREET, W.C. LONDON 1900

PREFACE

The object of this volume is to raise the question: if we accept the Theory of Evolution as true in science, how should it modify the thought and action of a man who wishes to do his best in this world? The question is necessary because we find that different and inconsistent conclusions on the point have been reached by men speaking in the name of science and speaking with authority. These differences are due not to anything in science, but to certain extra-scientific assumptions. To test the worth of such assumptions is the work of philosophy; and this volume is accordingly an essay in philosophy. Science is but organised common sense. Science and Religion both claim to deal with realities. The realism of common sense, therefore, the form of philosophy to which both seem to point, is that which is set forth here.

CONTENTS

PAGE

I. OPTIMISM 1

II. ILLUSION 14

III. PESSIMISM 24

IV. IDEALISM 38

V. THE REAL 60

VI. EVOLUTION AS THE REDISTRIBUTION OF MATTER AND MOTION 72

VII. NECESSITY 100

VIII. INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE 138