Abstract
THE editors of the Monist, some four years ago, invited discussion on the main problems of the philosophy of science and the reconciliation of science and faith. This book is Dr. Topinard's answer—the longest and fullest received—to their question. Man is regarded from the standpoint of anthropology; at the outset a creature merely selfish, but ultimately actuated by the sense of duty to the community. Thus he is a battlefield of opposing influences, egoism and altruism. Can we then explain the development of the latter on scientific principles, or must we have recourse to some external influence or impulse; in other words, assign a part to faith. In a series of chapters the author sketches man's development, as a member not only of the animal kingdom, but also of societies, seeking to trace in the lower forms of life the rudiments both of structures and of ideas. Finally, he arrives at the conclusion that Science and Faith mutually exclude each other. This perhaps would be generally admitted, even by those who would maintain that neither science nor faith alone could give a complete explanation; for each investigates different aspects of the problem and by a different method. Thus far the two are exclusive; nevertheless both may be necessary in order to obtain complete knowledge. For on many minds a problem presses to which Dr. Topinard offers no reply, namely, “Why” is all this? What is the cause of all these phenomena? Of what kind of power are they an expression? To answer this, he might reply, is not the province of science. That may be true, but the question remains, and not a few hold that to ignore it is an arbitrary narrowing of the field of investigation. In other words, whether Dr. Topinard's book will or will not satisfy inquirers is very much a question of temperament. Grant certain postulates—for such they are, and not axioms-in regard to the field of investigation, and it will; repudiate them, and it will not. He maintains “that the two domains of science and faith are two contrary poles”; others will say that each is necessary if a globe is to be complete, and that a very large zone exists between the circurnpolar regions in which each of these apparent opposites plays a part, now the one, now the other dominating. But the book is worth reading, whether we are or are not satisfied with its conclusions, whether we regard it as a real or only a forensic success.
Science and Faith; or Man as an Animal and Man as a Member of Society: with a Discussion of Animal Societies.
By Dr. Paul Topinard. Translated from the Author's Manuscript by Thomas J. McCormack. (London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner and Co., Ltd., 1899.)
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Science and Faith; or Man as an Animal and Man as a Member of Society: with a Discussion of Animal Societies . Nature 61, 270 (1900). https://doi.org/10.1038/061270a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/061270a0