The two kinds of truth : a test of all theories with special application to those of creation, instinct, and immortality, and showing evolution to be a natural, not a universal, truth / by T.E.S.T., an old life member of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

Date:
1890
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The two kinds of truth : a test of all theories with special application to those of creation, instinct, and immortality, and showing evolution to be a natural, not a universal, truth / by T.E.S.T., an old life member of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Music Miracles. 361 counter arguments) or, to use Milton’s words, he ‘ doubted all things, though plain sense.” Dr. Johnson said, “Ihe human mind is so limited that it cannot take in all the parts of a subject, so that there may be objections raised against anything.” Speak- ing of the wise man, Herbert Spencer said : u The highest Truth he sees he will fearlessly utter, knowing that if he can effect the change he aims at—well; if not—well also; though not so well. In truth, this grand Philosophy has been buried under a mountain of words, but we believe that it will yet emerge in its greatness and simplicity. An ancient Philosopher said, “ There is nothing great but Man ; in Man there is nothing great but Mind; ” and according to Sir William Hamilton, “ No other study so fills and satisfies the Mind. No other Science is to be compared in dignity or value to that which human Consciousness (Mind) furnishes to its own contemplation ’ that is, pure Philosophy. There is still a subject we have hitherto avoided; but as it is one which comes within the sphere of our argument we must here refer to it, however briefly. The truth of Miracles is questioned by many thinkers, just as they question whatever they call the non-natural. The most eminent Darwinians, and many of the highest class of Philosophers, seem to admit their possibility ; nor can we see upon what grounds this can be denied. Their most uncompromising opponent, other than one or two avowed infidel writers, is Matthew Arnold,1 who objects to them upon religious grounds ! He says the Masses throw aside the Bible on their account as incredible—which seems the reverse of general opinion. His main argument is founded on his general objection to Meta- physical Dogmas. Logic is illustrated by two kinds of facts : (i) those of Geometry, (2) those of Metaphysics. The first are necessarily true ; the second depend upon collateral evidence. All Miracles being Natural are true or false according to the nature and degree of evidence by which they are supported. With our best consideration of Mr. Arnold’s arguments we must say that they seem Logically weak, while enforced at great length and with great skill in a Literary point of view. It seems vain to