Darwin and modern science : essays in commemoration of the centenary of the birth of Charles Darwin and of the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of the Origin of species / edited for the Cambridge Philosophical society and the syndics of the University press, by A.C. Seward.

Date:
1909
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: Darwin and modern science : essays in commemoration of the centenary of the birth of Charles Darwin and of the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of the Origin of species / edited for the Cambridge Philosophical society and the syndics of the University press, by A.C. Seward. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    mental conceptions and the aims of the students of living Nature have been completely changed.... But the impulse thus given to scientific thought rapidly spread beyond the ordinarily recognised limits of Biology. Psychology, Ethics, Cosmology were stirred to their foundations, and The Origin of Species proved itself to be the fixed point which the general doctrine needed in order to move the world.” In the contributions to this Memorial Volume, some of the authors have more especially concerned themselves with the results achieved by Darwin’s own work, while others pass in review the progress of research on lines which, though unknown or but little followed in his day, are the direct outcome of his work. The divergence of views among biologists in regard to the origin of species and as to the most promising directions in which to seek for truth is illustrated by the different opinions of contributors. Whether Darwin’s views on the modus operandi of evolutionary forces receive further confirmation in the future, or whether they are materially modified, in no way affects the truth of the statement that, by employ- ing his life “in adding a little to Natural Science,” he revolutionised the world of thought. Darwin wrote in 1872 to Alfred Russel Wallace: “How grand is the onward rush of science: it is enough to console us for the many errors which we have committed, and for our efforts being overlaid and forgotten in the mass of new facts and new views which are daily turning up.” In the onward rush, it is easy for students convinced of the correctness of their own views and equally convinced of the falsity of those of their fellow-workers to forget the lessons of Darwin’s life. In his autobiographical sketch, he tells us, “I have steadily endeavoured to keep my mind free so as to give up any hypothesis, however much beloved...as soon as facts are shown to be opposed to it.” Writing to Mr J. Scott, he says, “It is a golden rule, which I try to follow, to put every fact which is opposed to one’s preconceived opinion in the strongest light. Absolute accuracy is the hardest merit to attain, and the highest merit. Any deviation is ruin.” He acted strictly in accordance with his determination expressed in a letter to Lyell in 1844, “I shall keep out of controversy, and just a 5