Origin of Species… • 15. Recapitulation and conclusion (38)

≣  •  D a r w i n  (1 8 5 9,  1 8 7 2⁶)  •  15.  R e c a p i t u l a t i o n  a n d  c o n c l u s i o n  •  √it

---

It can hardly be supposed that a false theory would explain, in so satisfactory a manner as does the theory of natural selection, the several large classes of facts above specified. It has recently been objected that this is an unsafe method of arguing; but it is a method used in judging of the common events of life, and has often been used by the greatest natural philosophers. The undulatory theory of light has thus been arrived at; and the belief in the revolution of the earth on its own axis was until lately supported by hardly any direct evidence. It is no valid objection that science as yet throws no light on the far higher problem of the essence or origin of life. Who can explain what is the essence of the attraction of gravity? No one now objects to following out the results consequent on this unknown element of attraction; notwithstanding that Leibnitz [sic!] formerly accused Newton of introducing “occult qualities and miracles into philosophy”.

_____________
K E Y W O R D S
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

◊ authp_C_h_a_r_l_e_s_D_a_r_w_i_n
◊ authp_C_h_D_a_r_w_i_n
◊ authp_D_a_r_w_i_n
◊ cover_O_r_i_g_i_n_o_f_S_p_e_c_i_e_s
◊ edit_J_o_h_n_M_u_r_r_a_y
◊ edit_J_M_u_r_r_a_y
◊ edit_M_u_r_r_a_y
◊ yauth_1_8_5_9, yauth_1_8_7_2, yedit_1_8_7_2
◊ book_quote, lantxt_en, hdr_v2
◊ orig_error

• keywords_da_inserire

_____
[]  C h.  D a r w i n,  ‹T h e  O r i g i n  o f  S p e c i e s›,  J o h n  M u r r a y,  1 8 7 2⁶.
¯¯¯¯¯