1st Edition

The Natural Theology of Evolution

By J. N. Shearman Copyright 1915
    314 Pages
    by Routledge

    314 Pages
    by Routledge

    Originally published in 1915, The Natural Theology of Evolution looks at the concept of natural theology, examining the argument for the existence of God based on reason and ordinary experiences of nature. The book looks at natural theology in light of Darwin’s theory of evolution, and how this important discovery affected belief in intelligent design. The book argues that the discovery of evolution, far from diminishing the existence of God, provides stronger proof for an intelligently designed earth and therefore the existence of God. This book provides a unique and interesting take on the debates surrounding evolution in the late 19th and early 20th century. It will be of interest to philosophers, historians of religion and natural historians alike.

    Part I: A Common-sense Argument

    1. The Common-sense View

    2. Paley’s Common-sense View

    3. The Implications of the Common-sense View

    4. The State of the Argument

    5. The Question About Evolution

    6. What Chance Variation May Do

    7. What Chance Variation Cannot Do

    8. Creative Evolution

    Note to Part I: Mendelism and Mutationism

    Part II: A More Abstract or Philosophical Argument

    9. Necessity

    10. Chance

    11. Unlimited Chance

    12. Infinite Numbers

    13. The Chance-Plus-Order Series

    14. Natural Groups and Series

    Part III: The Application of the Argument

    15. The Fertilisation of the Cuckoo-Pint and of the Aristolochia

    16. The Fertilisation of Orchids

    17. The Eye

    18. An Insectivorous Plant

    19. A Bird’s Flight

    20. The Pecten’s Eye

    21. The Asymmetry of the Plaice

    22. Instinct

    Part IV: Objections Considered

    Some Objections

    Biography

    J. N. Shearman