UP FROM THE SLIME

New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 799, 12 November 1954, Page 5

UP FROM THE SLIME

Sir-G.H.D. apparently wishes us to reject the theory of evolution because some scientists he approves reject it. Hand-picking authorities in this way should enable one to reject practically every religious, political and social theory in the world. The evolutionary theory adopted by the commanding body of scientists is backed by a heavy and growing weight of probability. The theory that all forms of life have been evolved from one or a few forms

has been accepted by religious and nonreligious scientists. For example, the late Lecomte du Nouy, a Roman Catholic, and internationally celebrated scientist, says scientists can "admit the existence of an evolution of evolutions covering periods of time quite inconceivable to man." He asserts that: "Evolution . . . is dominated by a finality, a precise and distant goal." Of man he says: "Physical man can only be considered as the result of a series of organisms which go back to the most elementary forms of life." And "Man, descended from the marine worms, is today capable of conceiving the future existence of a superior being and of wanting to be his ancestor." For du Nouy evolution is a divinely inspired process. On the other hand, Sir Charles Sher-rinton-who seems to be a determinist -in his Gifford Lectures, says: "Nature, read by evolution, now containing higher animal life and man, begins to contain a certain conscious purpose." In his view we should combine our evolved scientific knowledge and ethical judgment to assist this purpose. It seems that we cannot prove any absolute beginnings or absolute endings. We are seeking to comprehend the mysterious processes going on around us, and the evolutionary theory is proving a workable instrument to that end.

J. MALTON

MURRAY

(Oamaru).