Page:Philosophical Review Volume 22.djvu/698

682 The reason why religious education cannot be given in the schools with general approval is that here we immediately find ourselves on ground which forms the basis of debate between the diverse denominations. We have, however, in the realm of ethics a large amount of material on which the 'divergent' religious views are in agreement and which consequently constitutes suitable matter for instruction. In answer, on the other hand, to those who are not clear as to what is meant by moral education, the subject may be considered as though it had to deal with the training of the will. Starting with the fundamental assumption of a will free to choose the higher in the presence of the lower, surely we will find that "procedure according to principles which the mature mind and experience of mankind have elaborated, can be of infinite service in training the agent of choice, in cultivating fixity of purpose, in raising high ideals, and, by a graded scheme of moral education, help to evolve, not merely a good animal, but a good man."

The theory of organic evolution includes the theory of descent with modifications and certain explanatory hypotheses, such as Lamarck's hypothesis, Darwin's natural selection, De Vries's theory of mutations, and others. The theory of descent with modifications is accepted by all biologists of any standing as an established fact. Criticisms and objections concern only explanations of the method by which the present status has been attained. As an explanation of descent, Lamarckism is a possible but a doubtful factor because of the improbability of the inheritance of acquired characters. Darwinism, or natural selection, on the other hand, is apparently a real factor in organic evolution, at least roughly outlining natural species. Its chief defect, the inability to produce useful traits from small beginnings, is apparently fully met by the mutation theory, which, however, is too novel to be passed on with any degree of certainty. The popular distrust which has recently arisen concerning evolution is based on a confusion of natural selection with descent. As to the effectiveness of the former, the biologist has good reason for doubt, as to the reality of the latter, he has none whatever.

This is the address of the president of the British Association, read at Birmingham, Sept. 10, 1913. The main characteristics of the promising though perturbing period in which we live, are rapid progress and fundamental scepticism. A critical examination of all scientific foundations is going on, accompanied by a mistrust of purely intellectual processes. This attitude is being extended until a still deeper scepticism is forthcoming. The contention is made that all laws of nature are but conventions, not truths, and that we have no faculty for ascertaining real truth. But in spite of all modifications in fundamental principles, they are still true in the large; they are not