Haeckel and Virchow : the evolution controversy in Germany.

  • Elam, Charles, 1824-1889.
Date:
[1878]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Haeckel and Virchow : the evolution controversy in Germany. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    originate the complex and highly variable Plastidule-Souls, the mole- cular factors of organic life.* There is no difficulty as regards the central soul, mind, or spirit (for the terms are used interchangeably) of man. For all soul-life is ulti- mately referable to the two elementary functions of sensation and motion, and their conversion into reflex action. The simple sensa- tion of like and dislike (Lust und Unlust) ; the simple motions of attrac- tion and repulsion ; these are the true elements from which, in endlessly manifold and complicated combinations, all mental faculties are built up. The love and hate of atoms, the attraction and repulsion of mole- cules, the motion and sensation of cells and of organisms built up of cells, the thought and consciousness of men,—these are only various steps of the universal process of psychological evolution.t Such is a fair and accurate outline of the doctrine propounded before one of the most august and grave assemblages of scientific men ever called together; a doctrine which alone (auc. loq. einzig und allein) can give any rational interpretation of the phenomena of the living universe, and of man's position in it; a doctrine which its author sees written so plainly on the face of all nature, that it admits of no discussion, and requires no proof. He who does not see it is simply, either from mis- fortune or perversity, blind ; and he who demands further proofs than those already furnished, thereby signalizes only his own want of either knowledge or understanding (nur sein Mangel an Kentnissen oder an Einsicht).\ It is a doctrine which must be taught as a part of the national education,—not tolerated merely, but enforced, as the sole panacea for evils, past, present, and future. Has classical education been too predominant? Then teach Monism; it will counteract any evil that may have resulted. Has the reaction in favour of mathematics and the exact sciences been too pronounced? Teach Monism, and the pupil will recover at once the balance of his faculties. Finally, as this new monistic phDosophy has for the first time disclosed the real world to our understanding, so will it open to us a new way to moral perfection, in its beneficial application to practical human life. By its help may we now begin to raise ourselves from the condition of social barbarism, in which, spite of the boasted civilization of our century, we are yet plunged.§ From this sad condition we are never to be elevated by inner untruth and outer adornment, or by the effete and mis- chievous dogmas of Church-religions; but only by the immediate and candid recognition of our ape-ancestry ; whereby, by some process as yet imperfectly understood, we shall arrive at the religion of nature. (NatubreLIGION), the only true religion, whose highest commandment is Love.II As to the special application of these speculations, and the reality and exclusiveness of his belief in monism, Professor Haeckel leaves us * Haeckel (A), p. 14. t IWd. , t Md., p. 6. § Haeckel (D), p. 657. || Haeckel (A), p. 18.