Modern Science And Modern Thought (Paperback)

MODERN SCIENCE AND MODERN THOUGHT S. LAING AUTHOR OF HUMAN ORIGINS, FKOBLEMS OF THE FUTURE, A MODERN ZOROA TKIAN, ETC., ETC. Containing a Supplemental Chapter on Gladstones Datvn of Creation r and Proem of Genesis n AND ON Drummontfs Natural Law in the Spiritual World LONDON CHiPMAN HALL, LD. 1901 PRINTED BY WILK. AM CLOWB3 AND SONS, L1MITKD, LONDON AND BECCLES. INTRODUCTION TO SIXTH EDITION. THE Fifth Edition of this work having been exhausted hi three weeks from its publication, a Sixth Edition is now published at the same low price of 3s. 6d. The Authors object is to meet the rapidly-increasing demand for works giving an intelligible and popular 9 view of the leading questions of the day in Science and Philosophy, by bringing out the volume at a price which renders it accessible to the general public, and specially to the class of intelligent working men who take an interest in such subjects. S. LAING. HALL GROVE, BAGSHOT, 5, 1888. PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. THE object of this book is to give a clear and concise view of the principal results of Modern Science, and of the revolution which they have effected in Modern Thought. I do not pretend to discover fresh facts or to propound new theories, but simply to discharge the humbler though still useful task of presenting what has become the common property of thinking minds, in a popular shape, which may interest those who lack time and opportunity for studying special subjects in more complete and technical treatises. I have endeavoured also to give unity to the subjects treated of, by connecting them with leading ideas in the case of Science, that of the gradual progress from human standards to those of almost infinite space andduration, and the prevalence of law throughout the universe to the exclusion of supernatural interference in the case of Thought, the bearings of these discoveries on old Breeds and philosophies, and on t-he practical conduct of life. The, j t endeavour to show how much of religion can be saved from the shipwreck of theology has been the main object of the second part. Those who are acquainted with the scientific Vlll PREFACE. literature of the day will at once see how much I have been indebted to Darwin, Lyell, Lubbock, Huxley, Proctor, and e other well-known writers. In fact, the first part of this book does not pretend to be more than a compendious popular abridgment of their works. I prefer, therefore, acknowledging my obligations to them once for all, rather than encumbering each page by detailed references. The second part contains more of my own reflections on the important subjects discussed, and must stand or fall on its own meVits rather than on authority. I can only say that I have endeavoured to treat these subjects in a reverential spirit, and that the conclusions arrived at are the result of a conscientious and dispassionate endeavour to arrive at the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. CONTENTS. MODERN SCIENCE. CHAPTER I. SPACE ...... t Primitive Ideas Natural StandardsDimensions of the Earth Of Sun and Solar System Distance of Fixed Stars Their Order and Size Nebulae and other Universes Tho Telescope and the Infinitely Great The Microscope and the Infinitely Small Uniformity of Law Law of Gravity Acta through all Space Double Stars, Comets, and Meteors Has acted through all Time. CHAPTER II. TIME 20 Evidence of Geology Stratification Denudation Strataidentified bj Superposition By Fossil 9 Geological Record shown by Upturned Strata General Result Palaeozoic and Primary Periods Secondary Tertiary Time require Coal Formation Chalk Elevations ajid Depressions of Land Internal Heat of Earth Earthquakes and, VoWanoou Changes of Fauna and Flora Astronomical TimeTides and the Moon Suns RadiationEarths Cooling Geology and x CONTENTS. CHAPTER III. PA OR MATTER . .....