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Studies in the Theory of Descent
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882. ... complete mechanism conceivable is likewise the most completely conceivable teleology." We may thus represent the phenomenal universe as such a completely conceivable mechanism. With this conception vanish all apprehensions that the new views would cause man to lose the best that he possesses--morality and purely human spiritual culture. He who, with Von Baer, considers the laws of nature as the "permanent expressions of the will of a creative principle," will clearly perceive that a further advance in the knowledge of these laws need not divert man from the path of increasing improvement, but must further him in this course--that the knowledge of truth, whatever may be its purport, cannot possibly be considered a backward step. Let us take our stand boldly on the ground of new knowledge, and accept the direct consequences thereof, and we shall not be obliged to give up either morality or the comforting conviction of being part of an harmonious world, as a necessary member capable of development and perfection. Any other mode of interference by a directive teleological power in the processes of the universe than by the appointment of the forces producing them, is however, at least to the naturalist, inadmissible. We are still far removed from com- pletefy understanding the mechanism by means of which the organic world is evoked--we still find ourselves at the very beginning of knowledge. We are, however, already convinced that both ihe organic and the inorganic worlds are dependent only upon mechanical forces, for to this conclusion we are led, not only by the results of investigators who have restricted themselves to limited provinces, but also by the most general considerations. But although the force of these arguments may not be acknowledged, and altho...
92 pages, Paperback
Published February 4, 2012
7 people want to read
About the author
August Weismann
236Ìýbooks4ÌýfollowersGerman biologist August Friedrich Leopold Weismann asserted that the germplasm, a material substance, transmits hereditary traits and not acquired characters.
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