CAUSALITY AND EVOLUTION

Benedict M. Ashley, O. P.
The Institute of Religion
Texas Medical Center
Houston, Texas

The Search for a Proportionate Cause of Evolutionary
Processes
I WILL ASSUME in the fll!in" th#t the $%inci$le f
c#&s#lity !hich st#tes th#t ' nthin" !hich c(es t
)e, c(es t )e !ith&t # $%$%tin#te c#&se ' c#nnt
)e eli(in#ted f%( e($i%ic#l science, #lth&"h the
e*%t h#s %e$e#tedly )een (#de.
+
Cnse,&ently, !e h#-e t f#ce s,&#%ely # f&nd#(ent#l
,&estin #)&t #ll the%ies f e-l&tin. /! c#n (%e
c($le0
+
E-en $siti-istic $hils$he%s f science h#-e nt )een #)le t
eli(in#te the $%inci$le f c#&s#lity #s # necess#%y #ss&($tin f
science, #lth&"h they h#-e st%i-en t "i-e it # /&(e#n f%( )y
#%"&in" th#t it is nt #n ind&cti-e "ene%#li1#tin, )&t # %&le f
thin2in" !hich is necess#%ily %e,&i%ed )y #ny the%etic#l science #s
ln" #s science %et#ins the "#ls !hich it h#s historically #cce$ted.
See the disc&ssin in E%nest N#"el, The Structure of Science
3/#%c&%t, B%#ce #nd W%ld, Inc.. N. Y. +45+6, $$. 7+5879:. ' B&t it is
di;c&lt t &nde%st#nd h! it !&ld )e $ssi)le f% (de%n
the%etic#l science t s&%%ende% the "ene%#l ide#l e0$%essed )y the
$%inci$le 3f c#&s#lity6 !ith&t )ec(in" the%e)y t%#nsf%(ed int
s(ethin" inc($#%#)ly di*e%ent f%( !h#t th#t ente%$%ise #ct&#lly
is.' $. 79:. See #ls M#%i B&n"e, Causality, The Place of the Causal
Principle in Modern Science 3/#%-#%d Uni-e%sity P%ess. C#()%id"e,
M#ss., +4<46.
$#"e 9==
#nd hi"hly inte"%#ted entities #%ise &t f si($le% #nd
less %"#ni1ed entities> /! c#n the '"%e#te% c(e
f%( the less '> /! c#n # new entity ' e(e%"e '> Wh#t
is the proportionate c#&se f this e(e%"ence>
S(e h#-e t%ied t esc#$e the di;c&lty )y #%"&in" th#t
' e-l&tin ' 3#s the ety(l"y f the !%d indic#tes6 is
nly #n ' &nfldin",' #n e0$licit#tin f !h#t is
s(eh! #l%e#dy the%e, li2e the de-el$(ent f #n
e()%y. Othe%s h#-e #%"&ed th#t it is nly s&)?ecti-e t
cnside% #n ele$h#nt '"%e#te%' th#n #n #(e)#. B&t
neithe% #%"&(ent is (%e th#n #n e-#sin f # "en&ine
$%)le(. We n! h#-e # %#the% det#iled 2n!led"e f
-#%i&s e-l&tin#%y $%cesses, #nd nne f these
%ese()le e()%yl"ic#l de-el$(ent e0ce$t )y the
lsest f #n#l"ies. A"#in the%e is # $%ecise, )?ecti-e,
#nd e($i%ic#l sense in !hich #n #t( is # (%e
c($le0 #nd inte"%#ted syste( th#n #n elect%n, #
(lec&le th#n #n #t(, #n %"#nis( th#n # (lec&le, #
(#((#l th#n # $%t1#n, the h&(#n )%#in th#n # )i%d
)%#in.
9
If, the%ef%e, !e #%e t h#-e # che%ent, $hils$hic#l
&nde%st#ndin" f the e-l&tin#%y -ie! f the !%ld
#nd (#n !hich (de%n science h#s sh!n t )e the
nly $l#&si)le #cc&nt, !e (&st identify in th#t !%ld8
$ict&%e # proportionate c#&se, # s&;cient #"ent f
e-l&tin#%y e(e%"ence.
@&% $%inci$le le-els f this e(e%"ence #%e c((nly
distin"&ished td#y.
7
3+6 uclear e-l&tin !hich $%ceeds )y n&cle#%
synthesis #nd "i-es %ise t #t(s.
396 Che!ical e-l&tin !hich $%ceeds )y che(ic#l
%e#ctins #nd "i-es %ise t (lec&les f "%e#te% #nd
"%e#te% c($le0ity.
9
L&d!i" -n Be%t#l#n*y, "eneral Syste! Theory 3Ae%"e B%#1ille%.
Ne! Y%2, +45B6, $$. 9C894, %efe%%in" es$eci#lly t the !%2 f
Denneth B&ldin".
7
Mel-in C#l-in, ' Che(ic#l E-l&tin #nd the O%i"in f Life,'
#!erican Scientist, :: 3E&ly, +4<56, 9:B8957 $%$ses this f&%8fld
e-l&tin #nd "i-es the fll!in" ti(e t#)le. N&cle#% e-l&tin88+=
)illin ye#%sF che(ic#l e-l&tin889G )illin ye#%sF )il"ic#l
e-l&tin88+ )illin ye#%sF $sychsci#l e-l&tin G (illin ye#%s.
See #ls his Che!ical Evolution$ Molecular Evolution towards the
%rigin of &iving Syste!s on Earth and Elsewhere 3O0f%d, +4546.
$#"e 9=+
376 'iological e-l&tin !hich $%ceeds H%st )y
#)i"enesis, #nd then )y "enetic (&t#tin #nd n#t&%#l
selectin t "i-e %ise t the s$ecies f li-in" %"#nis(s
f inc%e#sin" c($le0ity #nd "%e#te% Ie0i)ility in
#d#$tin" t en-i%n(ent#l ch#n"es.
3:6 Psychosocial e-l&tin )y !hich the h&(#n s$ecies
$%d&ces # -#st #%%#y f c&lt&%es !hich #%e nt
"enetic#lly dete%(ined )&t in-ented, #nd in !hich
the%e h#s )een # $%"%ess t!#%d cnt%l f the
en-i%n(ent )y scientiHc technl"y, #nd the
e(e%"ence f self8di%ected h&(#n $e%sn#lities.
These f&% 2inds f e-l&tin t#2e $l#ce th%&"h
%#dic#lly di*e%ent $%cesses #nd #%e nly #n#l"&sly
c#lled )y the s#(e te%( ' e-l&tin,' yet they f%( #
se,&ence in !hich the (%e c($le0 $%cess
$%es&$$ses the si($le%. The hi"he% the le-el f
e-l&tin, the (%e st%i2in"ly n-el, di-e%se, #nd
&ni,&e #%e the $%d&cts. At the n&cle#% le-el nly #)&t
# h&nd%ed #t(ic s$ecies e(e%"e 3# fe! h&nd%ed if !e
c&nt ist$es6. /&nd%eds f th&s#nds f 2inds f
che(ic#l (lec&les cc&% in n#t&%e, )&t the s$ecies f
li-in" %"#nis(s #%e c&nted in the (illins. @in#lly,
#lth&"h the%e is nly ne h&(#n s$ecies )il"ic#lly
cnside%ed, $sychsci#lly cnside%ed the%e #%e )illins
f &ni,&e h&(#n $e%sn#lities $l#yin" thei% %les in #
-#st -#%iety f h&(#n c&lt&%es. The (%e #d-#nced the
c&lt&%e, it !&ld see(, the (%e the indi-id&#l
$e%sn#lity )ec(es cnsci&s f its !n &ni,&eness in
hist%y, #nd the (%e this &ni,&eness is -#l&ed #nd
c&lti-#ted.
Evolution and #nti(Evolution
It !&ld )e # "%ss e%%% t thin2 th#t #ll n#t&%#l,
cs(ic $%cesses #%e e-l&tin#%y, th#t is, $%cesses f
e(e%"ence. On the cnt%#%y the (%e &ni-e%s#l cs(ic
$%cesses #%e #nti8e-l&tin#%y, !hile e-l&tin#%y
$%cesses #$$e#% t )e nly lc#l #nd te($%#%y. Anti8
e-l&tin#%y $%cesses, tendencies )y !hich e-e%y
syste( in the &ni-e%se is dis%"#ni1ed, dis%&$ted, #nd
dissl-ed int # &ni-e%s#l %#nd( I&0 f $#%ticles in #n
e,&ili)%i&( f &ndi*e%enti#ted #nd (ini(#l
cc&%%ences, #%e e-e%y!he%e (ntn&sly e-ident. In
(st f the -#st %e"ins f s$#ce, #nd (st f the
i((ense e$chs f ti(e, nthin"
$#"e 9=9
ne!, % #t le#st nt (&ch e-e% h#$$ens.
:
C($le0
syste(s !hethe% they )e scieties, %"#nis(s,
(lec&les, % #t(s, see( d(ed t $e%d&%e nly in #
fe! $l#ces #nd f% # sh%t !hile.
The l#! f inc%e#sin" ent%$y 3% secnd l#! f
the%(dyn#(ics6 st#tes th#t in # clsed syste( #ll
$%cesses &lti(#tely tend t # st#te f (#0i(&(
ent%$y % dis%de%, )ec#&se e-e%y $%cess in !hich
%de% is inc%e#sed in # s&)8syste( in-l-es #n inc%e#se
f dis%de% in the tt#l clsed syste(.
<
This l#! is
-i-idly ill&st%#ted f% &s )y &% $%esent ' $ll&tin
c%isis.' E-e%y $%cess )y !hich h&(#n technl"y
(#2es (#nJs i((edi#te en-i%n(ent (%e %de%ly,
necess#%ily %es&lts in "%e#te% dis%de% f the tt#l
en-i%n(ent. In &% &ni-e%se %e"ins f %de% #%e #ses
in #n enc%#chin" dese%t. ' Ent%$ic d( ' is
ine-it#)le #nd (&st &lti(#tely $%e-#il -e% e-e%y
e-l&tin#%y $%cess.
It is !%n", the%ef%e, t thin2 th#t the secnd l#! f
the%(dyn#(ics is cnt%#dicted )y the f#ct f
e-l&tin. The l#! $%edicts th#t &lti(#tely # clsed
syste( (&st tend t (#0i(&( ent%$y, )&t it des nt
dete%(ine the rate f this inc%e#se f ent%$y. It is #n
esch#tl"ic#l $%$hecy !ith&t # d#te f% D(sd#y.
Ent%$y is # (#tte% f $%)#)ilities, #nd in e-e%y %&n f
$%)#)le e-ents the%e #%e I&ct&#tins t eithe% side f
# t%end. E-l&tin#%y $%cesses #$$e#% #s s&ch
I&ct&#tins in s&)8syste(s !ithin # tt#l syste( th#t is
#s # !hle )ec(in" (%e #nd (%e dis%de%ly. These
e-l-in" s&)syste(s e(e%"e he%e #nd the%e li2e
"le#(in" c&nte%8eddies in the d#%2 &ni-e%s#l %i-e% f
decline #nd then s(th &t #"#in.
On the the% h#nd, it is #ls #n e%%% t s&$$se th#t
the
:
E-idence is #cc&(&l#tin", h!e-e%, th#t s(e i($%t#nt che(ic#l
e-l&tin des t#2e $l#ce in inte%8stell#% s$#ce, $%d&cin" %"#nic
(lec&les f %el#ti-e c($le0ity. See Science, +C= 3: Dec., +4C=6,
$$. +++58+++C, Dnn Be%t%#(, 'Inte%stell#% Mlec&les #nd Che(ist%y
' ' At $%esent H-e di#t(ic #nd H-e $ly#t(ic s$ecies #%e 2n!n
3in inte%stell#% s$#ce6. The (st c($le0 (lec&le th&s f#% is
cy#n#cetylene, CN 88 C K C 88 /.'
<
On the $%)le( f ent%$y #nd e-l&tin see /#%ld @. Bl&(, Ti!e)s
#rrow and Evolution 3P%incetn Uni-e%sity P%ess, +4<+6 #nd Al)e%t L.
Lehnin"e%, 'io(energetics$ The Molecular 'asis of 'iological Energy
Transfor!ation 3W. A. Ben?#(in, Inc.. N. Y., +45<6.
$#"e 9=7
secnd l#! f the%(dyn#(ics #s s&ch e0$l#ins these
e-l&tin#%y c&nte%8c&%%ents. E-e%y e-l&tin#%y
$%cess in-l-es #n inc%e#se f %de% 3ne"#ti-e ent%$y
% negentropy* #nd this inc%e#se %e,&i%es #n
#$$%$%i#te c#&s#l e0$l#n#tin, &nless !e #%e t
#)#ndn the $%inci$le f c#&s#lity !hich !e h#-e
#ss&(ed. If the te%( ' %de% ' see(s t -#"&e, !e c#n
thin2 f the% e,&i-#lent te%(s s&ch #s ' $#tte%n,' '
#%%#n"e(ents,' ' "est#lt,' % ' syste(.' Pe%h#$s the
(st &sef&l te%( td#y !&ld )e the ne )%%!ed
f%( c((&nic#tins8the%y. infor!ation+
,
The
dec%e#se f nise 3%#nd(, dis%de%ed, &n$#tte%ned6
s&nd in # %#di si"n#l (e#ns #n inc%e#se in $#tte%ned
s&nd, #nd it is this $#tte%n !hich c#%%ies '
inf%(#tin.'
When #ny $%cess )ec(es (%e %de%ly, !hen its
de"%ee f inf%(#tin inc%e#ses, !e (&st l2 f% #
c#&se f this inc%e#se in %de%liness. We c#nnt si($ly
#tt%i)&te it t ch#nce, )ec#&se ch#nce is $%ecisely #n
cc&%%ence !hich is %#nd(, &n$#tte%ned, l#c2in" #ny
deter!inate $%)#)ility.
C
' Inf%(#tin,' #lth&"h nt
e#sy t deHne !ith c($lete "ene%#lity, c#n )e deHned
$%ecisely #nd $e%#tin#lly in s$eciHc c#ses. @%
e0#($le, in che(ic#l e-l&tin !e c#n deHne the
de"%ee f inf%(#tin f% -#%i&s (lec&les )y the
n&()e% #nd st%en"th f the che(ic#l )nds %e,&i%ed t
f%( e#ch (lec&le.
B
In the c#se f %"#nis(s
5
See E#"it Sin"h, "reat Ideas in Infor!ation Theory, &anguage and
Cy-ernetics 3D-e%, +4556. Ch#$te% VII ' Inf%(#tin #nd Ent%$y,'
$$. C78B7 #nd W. Lss Ash)y, Introduction to Cy-ernetics 3Ehn
Wiley #nd Sns. N. Y., +4576, $$. +C:8+4+. @% s(e )?ectins t the
&se f the cnce$t )y #n #nti8%ed&ctinist see C. /. W#ddin"tn,
Towards a Theoretical 'iology, Vl. + 3Aldine P&)lishin" C.. N.Y.,
+45B6, P%le"(en#.
C
When, in th%!in" dice, !e s#y th#t the ' ch#nce,' i. e., the
$%)#)ility f # "i-en c()in#tin is s&ch8#nd8s&ch, !e %e#lly (e#n
th#t the se.uence f c()in#tins is ch#nce 3!ith&t #ny $#tte%n %
%de%6 )&t th#t the fre.uency in !hich # "i-en c()in#tin cc&%s in
the se,&ence is deter!inate 3h#s # deHnite $%)#)ility6. This
$%)#)ility h#s # c#&se, n#(ely, the sh#$e f the dice, the
#%%#n"e(ent f the (#%2in"s, #nd the f%ce f the th%!F the e0#ct
se,&ence is ch#nce, h#s n c#&se, #nd is %#nd(. @% # hel$f&l
disc&ssin see D#-id /#!2ins, The &anguage of ature 3D&)led#y
Anch% B2. A#%den City, Ne! Y%2, +45C6, c. 5 ' Ch#nce #nd
P%)#)ility,' $. +5<8+45.
B
O% in te%(s f the ' ene%"y f cnH"&%#tin.' ' C($le0 %"#nic
(lec&les h#-e # l#%"e $tenti#l ene%"y f cnH"&%#tin. !hen they
#%e )&%ned they #%e de"%#ded t si($le st#)le $%d&cts . . . !hich
h#-e # (&ch l!e% ene%"y cntent.' Lehnin"e%, op+ cit+, $. +<.
$#"e 9=:
!e !ill $%)#)ly sn )e #)le t deHne the de"%ee f
inf%(#tin f% # Iy % # %hince%s in te%(s f the
c($le0ity f the "enetic cde0 f e#ch.
Anthe% !#y t l2 #t this cnce$t f ' inf%(#tin ' is
t t#2e it in # -e%y lite%#l sense #s the #(&nt f
inf%(#tin !e !&ld need t %e$%d&ce arti/cially #ny
$%d&ct f # n#t&%#l e-l&tin#%y $%cess. Th&s, #
che(ist !h !ishes t synthesi1e the chl%$hyll
(lec&le needs t &nde%st#nd the det#ils f its
st%&ct&%#l f%(&l# #nd the $%cesses )y !hich this c#n
)e %e$lic#ted. In $%inci$le, #t le#st, it !&ld see( th#t if
(#n h#d s&;cient inf%(#tin #)&t #ny n#t&%#l
entity, #t(, (lec&le, % %"#nis(, he c&ld
%e$%d&ce it )y %e$e#tin" the e-l&tin#%y $%cesses
%e,&i%ed, $e%h#$s in (%e e;cient, #))%e-i#ted f%(
th#n the n#t&%#l nes.
A te($%#%y e-l&tin#%y t%end !ithin # s&)8syste( f
the &ni-e%se, the%ef%e, (e#ns #n in$&t f inf%(#tin8
)e#%in" ene%"y int th#t s&)8syste(.
uclear and Che!ical Evolution
Whethe% the H%st st#"es f n&cle#% e-l&tin t2 $l#ce
in # ' )i"8)#n" ' % $%i(%di#l e0$lsin % nt,
4
it
see(s ce%t#in th#t s&ch e-l&tin cntin&es !ithin the
inte%i% f st#%s, f%"in" he#-ie% #t(s &t f hyd%"en
#nd heli&( #t(s )y n&cle#% Hssin #nd f&sin.
+=
These
$%cesses #%e $ssi)le nly
4
Ae%"e A#(!, The Creation of the 0niverse 3Vi2in" P%ess. Ne!
Y%2, +45+6. This ' )i"8)#n" ' hy$thesis f cs(ic %i"ins still
see(s t h#-e the ed"e -e% the /yle8Bndi ' ste#dy8st#te '
hy$thesis. See Willi#( /. McC%e#, ' Cs(l"y Td#y,' #!erican
Scientist, <B 3Se$t.8Oct. +4C=6, $$. <9+8<9C #nd the !%2 f M##%ten
Sch(idt f C#lif%ni# Instit&te f Technl"y %e$%ted in Scienti/c
#!erican, 99:F ++ 3E#n. +4C+6, $. :5.
+=
' Bef%e the S&n !#s f%(ed, #l(st e-e%y $ssi)le stell#%
te($e%#t&%e, density #nd life hist%y h#d )een e0$e%ienced
s(e!he%e in &% A#l#0y. The %esid&es #%e the (#ny 2inds f #t(s
in the &ni-e%se. S(e f the $%cesses th#t synthesi1e ne ele(ent
!ill dest%y the%sF the en%(&sly c($lic#ted c($sitin f &%
)dies, f% e0#($le, %e,&i%es th#t (#ny di*e%ent st#%s cnt%i)&ted
#t(s t the %#! (#te%i#l &t f !hich &% S&n, the $l#nets, #nd
&%sel-es !e%e )%n.' E. L. A%eenstein, ' Stell#% E-l&tin #nd the
O%i"in f the Che(ic#l Ele(ents,' #!erican Scientist, :4 3Dec.
+45+6, $$. ::48:C7.
$#"e 9=<
#t -e%y hi"h te($e%#t&%es #nd $%ess&%es. /e%e the
s&$$ly f f%ee ene%"y is "%e#t, )&t (#tte% is
&n%"#ni1ed, !ith $#%ticles (-in" in the !ildest
e0$lsi-e dis%de%. S&ch cnditins #%e %#%e #nd in &%
sl#% syste( e0ist nly in the s&n, % in # n&cle#%
%e#ct%.
Che(ic#l e-l&tin, )y !hich (lec&les #%e )&ilt f%(
#t(s #nd (%e c($le0 (lec&les f%( si($le%
(lec&les, is (&ch (%e !ides$%e#d in the &ni-e%se,
)&t it des nt $%"%ess t the hi"he% le-els f
%"#ni1#tin e0ce$t in -e%y select sit&#tins, !he%e
te($e%#t&%es #%e (de%#te #nd the%e is # delic#te
)#l#nce )et!een # (&ltit&de f f#ct%s.
++
The (%e
c($le0 the (lec&le the (%e c($le0 #nd )#l#nced
the sit&#tin %e,&i%ed, s th#t e0tensi-e che(ic#l
e-l&tin see(s (%e f#-%ed n the s&%f#ce f &%
e#%th th#n #t #ny the% site yet 2n!n in the sl#%
syste(.
@% )%e-ityJs s#2e I !ill (it #n #n#lysis f n&cle#%
e-l&tin #nd cnside% nly che(ic#l e-l&tin in %de%
t c($#%e it !ith )il"ic#l e-l&tin. If !e e0#(ine
the sit&#tin in !hich # (lec&le e(e%"es )y the
che(ic#l c()in#tin f #t(s, !e c#n distin"&ish
th%ee $h#ses.
+9
@i%st, nt nly (&st the%e )e the %e,&i%ed (#te%i#ls 3the
#t(s6 )&t # c($le0 set f cnditins (&st e0ist if #
$#%tic&l#% che(ic#l c()in#tin is t t#2e $l#ce.
C((nly the #t(s (&st )e in # li,&id % "#s sl&tin
f #n #$$%$%i#te te($e%#t&%e #nd $%ess&%e s th#t
they !ill c(e in clse cnt#ct !ith e#ch the%. They
(&st #ls )e $%$e%ly %ient#ted, since e#ch #t( h#s
its !n s$eci#l cnH"&%#tin #nd (&st )e ' Htted ' t
the #t( !ith !hich it is t c()ine.
Secnd, the%e (&st )e s&$$lied #n energy of
activation+ Bef%e the ((ent f c()in#tin the
#t(s #%e st#)le, inde$endent &nits !hich %esist
dis%&$tin f thei% !n inte%n#l %de%. This st#)ility f
the isl#ted #t( is # )#%%ie% t %e#ctin. When the
ene%"y f #cti-#tin is s&$$lied in the f%( f
++
/!e-e%, see nte : #)-e f% e-idence th#t these cnditins (#y
)e (et in &ns&s$ected sit&#tins.
+9
See A%th&% E. C#($)ell, 1hy 2o Che!ical Reactions %ccur3
3P%entice8/#ll. En"le!d Cli*s, N. E.6, +45<.
$#"e 9=5
he#t, (ech#nic#l, % %#di#nt ene%"y, this )#%%ie% is
-e%c(e. E#ch #t( lses its indi-id&#l st#)ility #nd is
(diHed #nd inte"%#ted int the ne! (lec&le.
Thi%d, the%e is # s$nt#ne&s ' che(ic#l %e#ctin ' in
!hich in (st c#ses s&$e%I&&s ene%"y is %ele#sed in
the f%( f he#t. This (e#ns #n inc%e#se in the ent%$y
f the s&%%&ndin" en-i%n(ent, since he#t is the
%#nd(, &n$#tte%ned (-e(ent f $#%ticles. The
hi"he% %de% !ithin the ne! (lec&le h#s )een
$&%ch#sed #t the e0$ense f inc%e#sed dis%de% in its
s&%%&ndin"s. It is t )e nted th#t this &s&#lly (e#ns
th#t in # sl&tin the%e is #n e,&ili)%i&( sit&#tin in
!hich s(e (lec&les #%e f%(ed #s the%s #%e )%2en
d!n.
It is in the secnd f these th%ee $h#ses th#t the ld
&nits lse thei% indi-id&#l e0istence #nd the ne!
(lec&le e(e%"es. The thi%d $h#se (#y )e &nde%std
#s # 2ind f ' settlin" d!n ' $%cess in !hich the ne!
(lec&le, #l%e#dy f%(ed, )ec(es st#)le. By lsin"
s&$e%I&&s ene%"y t the en-i%n(ent the (lec&le
%et#ins ?&st th#t inte%n#l ene%"y %e,&i%ed f% its s$eciHc
ty$e f %"#ni1#tin. It is #$$#%ent, the%ef%e, th#t
#t(s d nt ' s$nt#ne&sly ' c()ine $&%ely th%&"h
f%ces inhe%ent in the #t(s. The s$nt#ne&s
#tt%#ctins #nd %e$&lsins d&e t the elect%(#"netic
f%ces in the #t(s c(e int $l#y in the thi%d $h#se,
after the ((ent !hen the ne! %"#ni1#tin is
initi#ted )y the ene%"y f #cti-#tin. We c#n cncl&de
th#t it is this ene%"y, nt the f&nd#(ent#l
elect%(#"netic f%ces inhe%ent in the c()inin"
#t(s, !hich is the proper cause f the ne! &nit, #nd
!hich is, s t s$e#2, ' )&ilt int it.'
This cncl&sin, h!e-e%, %#ises # "%#-e di;c&lty. The
ne! (lec&le is # c($le0 &nity, (%e c($le0 #nd
(%e inte"%#ted th#n eithe% f the #t(s f%( !hich it
!#s f%(ed.
+7
/! c#n the ene%"y f #cti-#tin !hich is
s&$$lied in the f%( f he#t,
+7
Th&s the n#t&%e #nd $%$e%ties f # (lec&le de$end nt nly n
its c($nent $#%ts 4co!position*, #nd n the s$#ti#l #%%#n"e(ent
f these $#%ts 4structure*, )&t #ls n the che(ic#l )nds !hich
&nite the $#%ts 4constitution*+ These )dies #%e ' Helds,' # cnce$t
th#t c#nnt )e %ed&ced (e%ely t the #%%#n"e(ent f $#%ticles in
s$#ce )&t !hich is essenti#lly dyn#(ic. See /. Le(y, E. S. Ande%sn,
E. Dlein)e%", Treatise on %rganic Che!istry 3Else-ie% P&). C..
A(ste%d#(, +4<56, -l. +, $. 947.
$#"e 9=C
(ech#nic#l % %#di#nt ene%"y )e the s&%ce f the
inf%(#tin %e,&i%ed t )&ild this ne! syste(> /! c#n
# "ene%#li1ed f%ce $%d&ce s s$eciHc #n e*ect, #s if #
st%n" !ind c&ld $%d&ce # h&se &t f sc#tte%ed
$l#n2s>
One #ns!e% !&ld )e t $sit # virtuality in
f&nd#(ent#l cs(ic f%ces f "%#-it#tin,
elect%(#"netis(, etc., li2e the rationes se!inales f
#ncient Stic $hils$hy,
+:
)y !hich they #%e #)le t
$%d&ce #ll the -#%iety f che(ic#l s$ecies. This !&ld
(e#n th#t s(eh! in these "ene%#l f%ces the%e is #
hidden code, #n e()%ynic s&$$ly f inf%(#tin
#n#l"&s t the "enetic cde in the fe%tili1ed 1y"te.
S&ch # hy$thesis see(s t f#nt#stic, # %et&%n t the '
cc&lt f%ces ' f the #lche(ists.
Anthe% #ns!e% "i-en )y %ed&ctinists is t inte%$%et
che(ic#l c()in#tin #s # si($le, (ech#nic#l #dditin
f $#%ts. In s&ch # c()in#tin n "%e#te% c(es f%(
the less, since # ' s&( is e,&#l t its $#%ts.' This
inte%$%et#tin, h!e-e%, is nt #de,&#te t &% $%esent
&nde%st#ndin" f the (lec&le !hich h#s !#-e8
(ech#nic#l &nity in !hich the cnstit&tin" #t(s
$e%d&%e nly in # (diHed #nd inte"%#ted f%(. Th&s
the %)it#l elect%ns f the cnstit&tin" #t(s (#y n
ln"e% )eln" t # sin"le n&cle&s !ithin the (lec&le
)&t t se-e%#l. A ne! net!%2 f %el#tins )et!een the
ele(ent#%y $#%ticles !ithin the (lec&le f%(s #
&nit#%y syste(, nt # (e%e ?&0t#$sitin f $%e-i&s
syste(s.
+<
+:
See E. Ve%nn A%nld, Ro!an Stoicis! 3L&tled"e, De"#n P#&l.
Lndn, +4<B 3%eiss&e66, Sec. +CB, 'The W%d f Jseed8$!e%J 4logos
sper!ati5os* f the &ni-e%se is ne. it is the $%i(#l H%e in its !%2 f
c%e#tin. . . . B&t the%e #%e #ls in indi-id&#l )?ects, #ni(#te #nd
in#ni(#te, indest%&cti)le seed8$!e%s, c&ntless in n&()e%,
dis$l#ced #li2e in "%!th, $%c%e#tin, #nd $&%$seF these seed8
$!e%s #%e, #s it !e%e, s$i%its f deities, s$%e#d th%&"h&t the
&ni-e%se, e-e%y!he%e sh#$in", $e$lin", desi"nin", (&lti$lyin"F they
#%e #cti-ities f He%y s$i%it !%2in" th%&"h tensin 4t6nos, intentio*
in its hi"hest de-el$(ent. B&t the seed8$!e% f the &ni-e%se
c($%ehends in itself the indi-id&#l seed8$!e%sF they #%e )e"tten
f it #nd sh#ll in the end %et&%n t it,' $. +5+ f.F Als see. M#0
Phlen1, 2ie Stoa3V#ndenhe28L&$%echt. Attin"en, +4:B6, 9 Vl.
Vl. +, $. CB, #nd Ehnny Ch%istensen, #n Essay on the 0nity of Stoic
Philosophy 3Sc#ndin#-i#n Uni-e%sity B2s. Min2s"##%d, +4596, $.
75.
+<
See @. B%esci#, E. A%ents, /. Meislich, A. T&%2, 7unda!entals of
Che!istry, # Modern Introduction 3Ac#de(ic P%ess. N. Y., +4556, c.
++ #nd +9, $$. 9<4 *. f% # desc%i$tin f the (lec&le #s it is n!
&nde%std.
$#"e 9=B
It is (&ch (%e $l#&si)le t s#y th#t the inf%(#tin
)&ilt int the ne! (lec&le is cnt#ined neithe%
-i%t&#lly in the f&nd#(ent#l f%ces, n% in the
c()inin" #t(s, )&t %#the% in the concurrence f #ll
the f#ct%s %e,&i%ed f% the che(ic#l %e#ctin. The
ene%"y f #cti-#tin cnside%ed #s f%ee ene%"y, % #s
%ed&ci)le t the f&nd#(ent#l cs(ic f%ces, des nt
itself cnt#in the necess#%y inf%(#tin, )&t #s
speci/ed )y the tt#l sit&#tin it c#n $%d&ce #
dete%(ined $#tte%n in the ne! (lec&le. This ' tt#l
sit&#tin ' is nt (e%ely st#tic )&t is # se.uence of
events in !hich the -#%i&s f#ct%s c(e int $l#y in #n
%de%ly f#shin. The f%(#tin f # c($le0 (lec&le
des nt t#2e $l#ce in # sin"le ste$ )&t se,&enti#lly in
#n e-l&tin#%y, cnst%&cti-e $%cess in !hich #t e#ch
ste$ the%e (&st )e # cnc&%%ence f # c($le0 f
f#ct%s. Alth&"h the%e (#y )e #lte%n#ti-e $#th!#ys in
this e-l&tin, the%e #%e (%e de#d8ends 3$ints #t
!hich the che(ic#l $%cess (#y )e #)%ted )ec#&se f
s(e (issin" % )t%&si-e f#ct%6 th#n the%e #%e
s&ccessf&l $#ths t the "#l. The che(ist !h #tte($ts
#n #%tiHci#l synthesis f s&ch # c($&nd (&st
%e$%d&ce s&ch # s&ccessf&l se,&ence f sit&#tins #nd
e-ents.
+5
This see(s t )e # s&;cient #ns!e% t the ,&estin f
h! # ne! (lec&le c#n e(e%"e &t f (#te%i#ls less
!ell %"#ni1ed !ith&t -il#tin" the $%inci$le f
c#&s#lity )y #sse%tin" th#t # ' "%e#te% h#s c(e f%(
the less.' The (#te%i#ls the(sel-es #%e nt the
%i"in#tin" c#&se f the ne! syste(. The %i"in#tin"
#nd $%$%tin#te c#&se is the ene%"y f #cti-#tin.
This ene%"y is nthin" the% th#n the %ec"ni1ed
f&nd#(ent#l cs(ic f%ces 3"%#-it#tin,
elect%(#"netis(, #nd de%i-#ti-es s&ch #s he#t,
$%ess&%e, etc.6 . N ne! f&nd#(ent#l f%ce is %e,&i%ed.
/!e-e%, these f%ces d nt e0ist in # "ene%ic
cnditin, )&t #s s$eciHed )y the sit&#tin in !hich
they #ct #nd )y the se,&ence f s&ch #ctins. A ne!
(lec&le c#n e(e%"e nly &t f # hi"hly
+5
See the desc%i$tin f L. B. Wd!#%dJs synthesis f chl%$hyll in
W#lte% L!!s2i, ' The Synthesis f Chl%$hyll ' in L. P. Ve%nn #nd
A. L. Seely, The Chlorophylls 3Ac#de(ic P%ess. N. Y., +4556, $$. +948
+:5.
$#"e 9+=
%de%ed sit&#tin &nde%"in" # hi"hly %de%ed
se,&enti#l $%cess #"#inst the "ene%#l ent%$ic t%end.
The inf%(#tin % $#tte%nin" % ne"ent%$y cnt#ined
in this %de%ed se,&ence is $%$%tin#te t the
inf%(#tin )&ilt int the ne! (lec&le. The %de%ed
se,&ence f %de%ed sit&#tins is e,&#l t, nt "%e#te%
th#n, the e(e%"ent syste( !e c#ll # (lec&le.
Bil"ic#l E-l&tin
The $#ss#"e f%( nn8li-in" (lec&les t li-in"
%"#nis(s 3#)i"enesis6 is still # Held f cn?ect&%e, )&t
# 2ey t the (yste%y is the disc-e%y th#t the
de-el$(ent f #n %"#nis( #nd its $!e% f
%e$%d&ctin is %ted in the n&cle8$%tein (lec&le
DNA !hich )y its -#%i#tins $%-ides # ' "enetic cde '
th#t dete%(ines the indi-id&#l %"#nis(Js st%&ct&%e #nd
(#2es it $ssi)le t $#ss this inhe%it#nce n t its
descend#nts. It is %ec"ni1ed, h!e-e%, th#t the DNA
(lec&le is nt itself #n %"#nis(, n% c#n it f&nctin
e0ce$t #s $#%t f #n %"#nis(, &s&#lly !ithin the
ch%(s(es cnt#ined in # cell n&cle&s.
Cnse,&ently, the %i"in f life !#s nt (e%ely the
e(e%"ence f DNA (#c%(lec&les )&t f si($le
%"#nis(s cnt#inin" s&ch (lec&les #s # $%inci$#l
fe#t&%e f # c($lete li-in" syste(.
+C
The%ies f #)i"enesis d nt %ely n s(e s$eci#l '
-it#l f%ce ' t e0$l#in the e(e%"ence f li-in"
%"#nis(s. Inste#d they t%y t %ecnst%&ct
i(#"in#ti-ely # se,&ence f sit&#tins
+C
See /#%ld @. Bl&(, ' On the O%i"in #nd E-l&tin f Li-in"
M#chines,' #!erican Scientist, :4 3Dec. +45+6, :C:8<=+. Als
Lich#%d M. Le((n, 'Che(ic#l E-l&tin,' Che!ical Reviews C=, 4<
3+4C=6, $$. 4<8+=4, !h s#ys ' The $%inci$#l ide#s f h! this 3%i"in
f life6 t2 $l#ce #%e the J c#ce%-#te J the%y f O$#%in #nd the J
(ic%s$he%e J cnce$t f @0. Bth f these ide#s . . . #%e )#sed n
the ntin th#t the e(e%"ence f life is the ine-it#)le &tc(e f
the #ssci#tin#l #nd %"#ni1#tin#l f%ces inhe%ent in the
(#c%(lec&leJs che(ist%y.' 3$. +=B6 This ' ine-it#)le &tc(e,'
h!e-e%, nly (e#ns th#t n ne! f%ces #%e %e,&i%ed, $%-ided th#t
these f%ces #%e s$eciHed )y the necess#%y se,&ences f sit&#tins
#nd e-ents !hich O$#%in #nd @0 $sit. Bl&( 4i-id+* #%"&es th#t the
li(itin" cnditins f life #%e st%icte% th#n (#ny scientists %e#li1e,
#nd the %#%e e-ents %e,&i%ed #%e n&(e%&s. Cnse,&ently, !e
sh&ld nt )e s s#n"&ine #)&t life else!he%e in the &ni-e%se. /e
c#lls it $e%h#$s # ' ten&&s $ssi)ility.'
$#"e 9+=
#nd e-ents in !hich the necess#%y f%ee ene%"y, #nd the
s&it#)le (i0t&%e, %ient#tin, cnditins f
te($e%#t&%e, etc., !&ld )e $%esent t )&ild &$ ste$ )y
ste$ the st%&ct&%es f # si($le %"#nis( cnt#inin"
DNA. In $#%tic&l#% it is necess#%y t i(#"ine the
f%(#tin f s(e 2ind f (e()%#nes )y !hich the
inte%i% f the %"#nis( c&ld )e se$#%#ted f%( the
en-i%n(ent !hile $e%(ittin" the cnt%lled in8$&t #nd
&t8$&t in %el#tin t the en-i%n(ent %e,&i%ed t
(#int#in the dyn#(ic e,&ili)%i&( ch#%#cte%istic f
li-in" thin"s.
+B
The %"#nis( is nt # clsed syste( )&t
# ste#dy8st#te syste( in !hich the tendency t
(#0i(&( ent%$y is cnst#ntly c($ens#ted )y #
cnt%lled inI&0 f ene%"y.
Since #t #ny $int in the se,&ence f ste$s th#t
$%d&ced the H%st li-in" %"#nis(s the $%cess (i"ht
h#-e )een #)%ted, it is necess#%y t %ecnst%&ct #
$l#&si)le hist%y f the %i"in f life. At the $%esent ti(e
' s$nt#ne&s "ene%#tin ' des nt t#2e $l#ce, s th#t
the hy$thetic#l sit&#tin f% #)i"enesis is nt n!
)se%-#)le. /!e-e%, !ith&t #ny "%ss -il#tin f
$%)#)ility, s&ch # sit&#tin in the e#%ly hist%y f &%
$l#net c#n )e $sited. @&%the%(%e, it is #l%e#dy
$ssi)le t %e$%d&ce s(e $h#ses f this $%cess in
the l#)%#t%y, s th#t the%e is h$e th#t s(e d#y !e
!ill )e #)le t synthesi1e li-in" %"#nis(s &t f
nnli-in" (#te%i#ls. The #(&nt f inf%(#tin %e,&i%ed
t d this, h!e-e%, !ill )e en%(&s.
+4
Once the H%st li-in" %"#nis(s h#d e(e%"ed, )il"ic#l
e-l&tin, ' the %i"in f s$ecies,' )e"#nF #nd f% this
!e n!
+B
' The DNA is nt #n #&tn(&s $#%t f the cellF it is nt the '
sec%et f life,' )&t, #s B#%%y C((ne% $e%s&#si-ely #%"&es, %#the% '
life is the sec%et f DNA.' It is the !hle cell !hich is #li-e. And it is
nly the !hle cell !hich is the (ini(#l st%&ct&%e s f#% cle#%ly
%ec"ni1ed #s )ein" c#$#)le f c#%%yin" n li-in" #cti-ities.' @%( #n
&n$&)lished $#$e% f (y clle#"&e A. S. M%#c1e!s2i, ' Is Vi%#l
Le$&)lic#tin # f%( f Bil"ic#l Le$%d&ctin> ' 3+4546 ,&tin" B.
C((ne%, #!erican Scientist, <9.75< 3+45:6.
+4
Mel-in C#l-in, ' Che(ic#l E-l&tin #nd the O%i"in f Life,'
#!erican Scientist, :: 3E&ly, +4<56 , 9:B8957, s#ys ' Alth&"h e-e%y
ne f the $%cesses th#t I h#-e desc%i)ed is $%)#)le 88 the%e is n
"%e#t i($%)#)le e-ent th#t is %e,&i%ed 88 the selectin #(n"st the
%#nd( $%)#)le e-ents f # $#%tic&l#% se,&ence is # hi"hly
i($%)#)le thin" #nd h#s %e,&i%ed the )illin ye#%s % s th#t it t2
t d it.'
$#"e 9++
h#-e # hi"hly de-el$ed #nd -e%y $l#&si)le the%y,
)#c2ed &$ )y e0tensi-e $#lentl"ic#l, "enetic, #nd
the% e-idence.
9=
It is c((nly #d(itted td#y, #s M#y% h#s sh!n
9+

th#t # )il"ic#l s$ecies is nt (e%ely # t#0n(ic
cn-enience )&t # n#t&%#l syste( !hich #t #ny "i-en
ti(e is sh#%$ly discntin&&s !ith the% s$ecies. This
discntin&ity is nt nly (%$hl"ic#l 3#s in the c#se
f the che(ic#l s$ecies6 )&t #ls f&nctin#l. A s$ecies
is #n inte%8)%eedin" $$&l#tin #)sl&tely % %el#ti-ely
isl#ted f%( the% $$&l#tins in the $%cess f
%e$%d&ctin. In the c&%se f ti(e # s$ecies (#y 3+6
)ec(e e0tinctF 396 (e%"e !ith #nthe% s$ecies f%(
!hich it is nly relatively isl#ted in %e$%d&ctin,
f%(in" # hy)%id s$eciesF 376 )%e#2 &$ int t! % (%e
ne! s$ecies )y the #cc&(&l#tin f "enetic (&t#tins
%einf%ced )y # $e%id f "e"%#$hic isl#tin % s(e
the% (ech#nis( )y !hich the di-e%"ence is $e%(itted
t $%ceed t the $int th#t the t! % (%e
$$&l#tins c#n n ln"e% inte%)%eed e-en !hen in
cnt#ct.
C&%%ent the%ies f )il"ic#l e-l&tin d nt $%$se
# sin"le e-l&tin#%y f%ce % l#! n% s&$$se #ny
inhe%ent tendency in # s$ecies t e-l-e. In f#ct, (#ny
s$ecies #%e %e(#%2#)ly end&%in". As Deeley, fll!in"
W#ddin"tn, h#s #n#ly1ed ne8D#%!inis(, this the%y
-ie!s e-l&tin #s d&e t the inte%#ctin f se-e%#l
ty$es f inte%8%el#ted f#ct%s. It is nt the indi-id&#l th#t
e-l-es )&t the s$ecies, #nd the s$ecies e-l-es nt
f%( s(e inne% telel"y )&t th%&"h inte%#ctin !ith
the en-i%n(ent 4natural selection*+ This en-i%n(ent
is #n ecosyste! c($sed nt nly f "e"%#$hy #nd
cli(#te )&t #ls f the% li-in" thin"s in (&t&#l
c($etitin #nd sy()isis.
9=
@% # c#%ef&l #n#lysis f the di*e%ent 2inds f cn-e%"ent e-idence
f% )il"ic#l e-l&tin see L#y(nd E. N"#%, The 1isdo! of
Evolution 3D&)led#y. N. Y.6, +457.
9+
E. M#y%, #ni!al Species and Evolution 3/#%-#%d Uni-e%sity P%ess.
C#()%id"e, M#ss.6, +457.
99
Ehn N. Deeley, The Philosophical 2i!ensions of the %rigin of
Species, Instit&te f% Phils$hic#l Lese#%ch 3Chic#", +4546, $$. 458
+++, %efe%%in" t C. /. W#ddin"tn, 'E-l&tin#%y Ad#$t#tin' in The
Evolution of &ife, Sl T#0 ed. 3Uni-e%sity f Chic#" P%ess. Chic#",
+45=6, -l. I, $$. 7B+8:=9 #nd The Ethical #ni!al 3Athene&(. N. Y.,
+45+6, $$. B:8+==.
$#"e 9+9
The ecsyste( itself is &nde% $%ess&%e f%( the n&cle#%
#nd che(ic#l e-l&tin f the e#%th #nd the !hle sl#%
syste(. Th&s the ene%"y !hich $%d&ces )il"ic#l
e-l&tin h#s its s&%ce in che(ic#l #nd n&cle#%
e-l&tin #nd c#n )e t%#ced in l#%"e $#%t t e-ents
!ithin the s&n.
97
Ne-e%theless, e-l&tin c#nnt )e
&nde%std (e%ely #s #n inc%e#se % dec%e#se f tt#l
#-#il#)le ene%"y )&t nly in te%(s f the !#y this
ene%"y is #$$lied in # se,&ence f e0t%e(ely c($le0
sit&#tins #nd e-ents n the e#%thJs s&%f#ce.
Deeley, in"eni&sly &sin" the cl#ssic#l f&% ' c#&ses '
f A%isttle t sh! the inti(#te inte%%el#tin f these
f#ct%s 4causae sunt invice! causae*, s&((#%i1es
the( #s fll!s.
9:
3+6 epigenetic factors$ the tendency f inte%)%eedin"
$$&l#tin t %e$%d&ce itself in # st#)le (#nne% #nd
inc%e#se in n&()e%s 3' f%(#l c#&s#lity,' i. e., the
(#inten#nce f ty$e6.
396 genetic factor$ the tendency t -#%i#tin %es&ltin"
f%( cnst#nt s(#ll %#nd( (&t#tins in the "enetic
cde 3' (#te%i#l c#&s#lity,' i. e., # -#%iety f di*e%in"
indi-id&#ls !ithin # s$ecies c#$#)le f t%#ns(ittin"
thei% di*e%ences6.
376 selective factor$ n#t&%#l selectin )y the
en-i%n(ent !hich eli(in#tes thse -#%i#nts !hich #%e
less e*ecti-e in %e$%d&cin" thei% 2ind 3' e;cient
c#&s#lity,' i. e., the #"ent dete%(inin" in !hich
di%ectin s$ecies8ch#n"e !ill t#2e $l#ce6.
3:6 exploitative factor$ the Ie0i)ility f li-in" thin"s )y
!hich they #%e #)le t cc&$y ne! niches in the
ch#n"in" en-i%n(ent 3' Hn#l c#&s#lity,' i. e., # feed8
)#c2 (ech#nis( !hich "&ides the selecti-e $%cess
t!#%d # new ty$e !hich c#n e0$lit ne!
en-i%n(ent#l $ssi)ilities6.
It is the di%ecti-e )i#s f the selecti-e #nd e0$lit#ti-e
f#ct%s !hich )il"ists n! )elie-e is %es$nsi)le f%
the progressive, #$$#%ently telel"ic#l, ch#%#cte% f
e-l&tin. In s$ite f the (#ny de#d ends, the
inte%#ctin f #ll these f#ct%s %es&lts nt nly in the
inc%e#sin" #d#$t#tin f e#ch s$ecies t its
en-i%n(ent
97
@% # det#iled #cc&nt f the e0ch#n"es f ene%"y in-l-ed in
)il"ic#l e-l&tin see Al)e%t L. Lehnin"e%, 'ioenergetics$ The
!olecular -ases of -iological energy transfor!ation 3W. A. Ben?#(in.
N. Y., +45<6 .
9: %p. cit+, $. +=< s,.
$#"e 9+7
)&t #ls in the di%ectin f %"#nis(s !hich #%e (%e
#nd (%e c($le0, hi"hly inte"%#ted, #nd relatively
independent of their environ!ent+ /i"he% %"#nis(s
h#-e #n ' inte%n#li1ed en-i%n(ent.' @% e0#($le,
(#((#ls #%e #)le t (#int#in # cnst#nt inte%n#l
te($e%#t&%e !hich (#2es it $ssi)le f% the( t
%e(#in #cti-e in he#t % cld th#t c($el %e$tiles t lie
d%(#nt.
The c&l(in#tin f this tendency t inte%n#li1e the
en-i%n(ent is f&nd in (#n. By his intelli"ence (#n is
#)le t s&%-ey his en-i%n(ent #nd t cnt%l it t #
%e(#%2#)le de"%ee. O&% (#n8(#de #i%8cnditinin"
syste(s #%e #n e0#($le f this h&(#ni1#tin f the
en-i%n(ent. It is (st cle#%ly seen in the !nde%f&l
de-el$(ent f the h&(#n )%#in #s #n %"#n !hich
%ecei-es # (#0i(&( f inf%(#tin f%( &tside,
$%cesses it e0tensi-ely, #nd &ses it t cnt%l #nd
(#ni$&l#te the )dy #nd the tt#l en-i%n(ent.
Anthe% !#y t $&t this is th#t the ' )est #d#$t#tin t
the en-i%n(ent is f% #n %"#nis( t )ec(e
adapta-le t ch#n"es in the en-i%n(ent,' #nd the
c#$#city t le#%n #nd t in-ent ne! !#ys f )eh#-i% is
the hi"hest f%( f #d#$t#)ility.
9<
Ce%t#inly in this sense the e-l&tin f (#n see(s t
)e # ' "%e#te% c(in" f%( the less,' i. e., # hi"hly
#d#$t#)le #ni(#l %i"in#tin" f%( less #d#$t#)le
%"#nis(s. /!e-e%, it sh&ld )e nted #t nce th#t
this $%"%essi-e tendency f e-l&tin c&l(in#tin" in
(#n is nt &ni8di%ectin#l.
It des nt %es&lt in # $e%fect hierarchy f f%(s in
!hich the hi"he% cnt#ins #ll th#t is in the l!e% f%(s.
Th&s, the #&tt%$hic s$ecies 3"%een $l#nts6 #nd the
hete%t%$hic s$ecies 3#ni(#ls6 #%e (&t&#lly de$endent
n e#ch the%. Ani(#ls c&ld nt li-e &nless $l#nts
$%d&ced fd )y $htsynthesis f !hich the #ni(#ls
#%e inc#$#)le, n% c&ld (st $l#nts li-e !ith&t the
s&$$ly f c#%)n8di0ide $%d&ced )y #ni(#ls. The
$l#nt 2in"d( #nd the #ni(#l 2in"d( #%e s&$e%i% t
e#ch
9< @% # st%i2in" disc&ssin f ' #d#$t#)ility #s #n #d#$t#tin ' see
Ae%"e A. Si($sn, C. S. Pitten%i"h, #nd L. /. Ti*#ny, &ife$ #n
Introduction to 'iology 3/#%c&%t B%#ce. N. Y., +4<C6, c. +B ' The
E-l&tin f Ad#$t#tin,' $$. :778:<B.
$#"e 9+:
the% in di*e%ent %es$ects, s th#t it is i($ssi)le t
cl#ssify the( in #n #)sl&te hie%#%chy f f%(s.
Si(il#%ly, insects #%e # c&l(in#tin f # line f
e-l&tin#%y $%"%ess di*e%ent f%( the $#%#llel line
!hich c&l(in#tes in (#n. Th&s, #lth&"h the%e is #
"ene%#l $%"%ess in # -e%tic#l hie%#%chy f f%(s, it is
-e%l#id #nd c($lic#ted )y # h%i1nt#l % c%din#te
tendency )y !hich e#ch ne! le-el f %"#ni1#tin
s$%e#ds &t #nd cc&$ies #ll #-#il#)le en-i%n(ent#l
niches. The #i% is # niche !hich h#s )een s&ccessi-ely
cc&$ied )y Iyin" %"#nis(s )eln"in" t -e%y
di*e%ent "ene%ic le-els f %"#ni1#tin. The%e #%e Iyin"
Hshes, %e$tiles, )i%ds, #nd (#((#ls, #nd #ls nn8
Iyin" s$ecies #t e#ch f these s#(e le-els. A%isttle,
the ' f#the% f )il"y,' !#s #l%e#dy #!#%e th#t li-in"
thin"s c#nnt )e Htted int #ny si($le hie%#%chy f
dicht(&s f%(s.
95
The sense in !hich e-l&tin $%d&ces the "%e#te% f%(
the less is !ith %e"#%d t generic nt s$eciHc le-els f
%"#ni1#tin.
9C
When the e-l&tin#%y t%ees $%-ided )y
$#lentl"y #%e d%#!n, the f#ct f h%i1nt#l
)%#nchin" des nt eli(in#te the f#ct th#t the%e is #ls
# -e%tic#l di(ensin f inc%e#sin"ly el#)%#te
95
' It is i($ssi)le then t %e#ch #ny f the &lti(#te #ni(#l f%(s )y
dicht(&s di-isin.' Parts of #ni!als, I, c. 7, 5::# 4. See cc. 9 #nd
7, 5:9) < fll!in" f% his %e#sns.
9C
This see(s t )e the )#sic di;c&lty !ith the !ell82n!n #%"&(ent
f M%ti(e% Adle% 3%ecently &tili1ed )y Ehn N. Deeley, op+ cit+, C. VIII,
$$. 7+:87:96 th#t #n A%istteli#n8Th(istic (et#$hysics %e,&i%es
th#t the%e )e nly H-e s$ecies f (#te%i#l )ein"s, i. e., (#n, #ni(#l,
$l#nt, c($&nd, ele(ent. Adle% )e"#n !ith the A%istteli#n dict&(
th#t ' essences #%e li2e the inte"e%s.' The inte"e%s f%( # $e%fect
hie%#%chy in !hich # n&()e% tt#lly cnt#ins #ll lesse% n&()e%s.
Cnse,&ently, if !e 2n! the deHnitin f (#n 3i. e., # %#tin#l,
sentient, li-in", c($&nd, (#te%i#l s&)st#nce6, !e 2n! #ll the
s$ecies less th#n (#n. B&t, #t le#st in # Th(istic inte%$%et#tin,
A%isttleJs dict&( (&st )e &nde%std t #$$ly t the hie%#%chy f
e0istin" )ein"s nly #n#l"&sly, )th )ec#&se f the $tenti#lity f
(#tte% #nd the $tenti#lity f essence, f%( !hich (#the(#tics #nd
the (#the(#tic#l cnce$t f n&()e% #)st%#ct. /ence, A,&in#s hlds
th#t nly Ad, #s the inHnite Ens a Se, cnt#ins all the $e%fectins f
lesse% )ein"s, e-en t thei% s$eciHc di*e%enti#e. A(n" c%e#t&%es
the hie%#%chy is i($e%fect, s th#t the hi"he% nly cnt#in the
generic $e%fectins f thei% infe%i%s. The $tenti#lity f c%e#t&%es
(#2e the( Hnite, #nd Hnite )ein" c#nnt cnt#in ' $$sed
$e%fectins.' Only in Ad is the%e # tt#l coincidentia oppositoru!+
See Su!!a Theologiae I, ,. <<, #. + #d 7.
$#"e 9+<
#nd inte"%#ted %"#ni1#tin. N% is the%e #ny
%e#sn#)le d&)t th#t (#n, !ith his %e(#%2#)le )%#in,
(#%2s # le-el f %"#ni1#tin hi"he% th#n #ny the%,
since n the% %"#nis( is s $e%fectly the (#ste% f its
en-i%n(ent.
N! if !e #s2 h! this ' "%e#te% ' c(es f%( the '
less,' (de%n e-l&tin#%y the%y "i-es # cle#% #ns!e%.
The $%$%tin#te c#&se f the e(e%"ence f ne! ty$es
% %"#nis(s f inc%e#sin"ly c($le0 %"#ni1#tin #nd
inde$endence f the en-i%n(ent is nt #ny sin"le l#!
% f%ce )&t # cnc&%%ence f (#ny c#&ses in #n
e-l&tin#%y event, % )ette%, # history+ A $$&l#tin f
inte%)%eedin" %"#nis(s inte%#cts !ith the ecsyste(
f !hich it is # $#%t s #s t e-l-e #nd di*e%enti#te
int ne! %e$%d&cti-ely isl#ted s$ecies, e#ch f !hich
de-el$s #n inte"%#ted ty$e #d#$ted t # s$eci#l
en-i%n(ent#l niche, cle#%ly distin"&ished f%( the%
$$&l#tins f% (#ny "ene%#tins.
Th&s n&cle#%, che(ic#l, #nd )il"ic#l e-l&tin,
#lth&"h in-l-in" -e%y di*e%ent 2inds f e-ents, h#-e
this in c((n. #t(, (lec&le, #nd %"#nis( #%e
$%d&cts f hist%ic#l e-ents n less c($le0 #nd
se,&enti#lly %de%ed th#n the entities !hich they
$%d&ce. The ne! s$ecies is nt # ' "%e#te% e(e%"in"
f%( the less,' )ec#&se the #(&nt f inf%(#tin it
cnt#ins in integrated f%( is n "%e#te% th#n the
#(&nt f inf%(#tin $%esent in the hist%ic#l
e-l&tin#%y $%cess. Wh#t is s$%e#d &t in hist%y is
cndensed, #s it !e%e, in the e(e%"in" ne! s$ecies.
S#%t%eJs s#yin" th#t ' (#n is his hist%y ' !#s nt
intended t e0$%ess the t%&th f e-l&tin, )&t it des. I
#( %e(inded f M1#%tJs f#(&s %e(#%2 th#t he c&ld
he#% ne f his c($sitins ' #ll #t nce.'
Psych8Sci#l E-l&tin
The h&(#n %"#nis( e0ists in #n inte%)%eedin"
$$&l#tin, the h&(#n s$ecies, )&t this s$ecies is
social in # s$eci#l sense nt f&nd in the% #ni(#ls, #t
le#st in # de-el$ed f%(. This s$ecies li-es )y
co!!unication through a true language, i. e., ne in
!hich si"ns st#nd f% &ni-e%s#l, %eIe0i-e cnce$ts.
@&%the%(%e,
$#"e 9+5
it is sci#l in the sense th#t it de-el$s # culture !hich
t%#nscends dete%(ined % instinct&#l $#tte%ns f
)eh#-i% #nd incl&des inventions !hich #%e t%#ns(itted
f% (#ny "ene%#tins nt "enetic#lly )&t )y
#cc&lt&%#tin #nd ed&c#tin. This $!e% f
c((&nic#tin #nd in-entin !hich %ests n #n inte%n#l
#nd e0te%n#l l#n"&#"e, #nd hence is # $!e% f de#lin"
!ith the en-i%n(ent, !ith the% h&(#n )ein"s, #nd
!ith neJs !n )eh#-i% th%&"h sy()ls, !e c#ll
h&(#n intelli"ence. It is the (de f $e%#tin f the
h&(#n %"#nis( #s # !hle, )&t it is cente%ed in the
$%inci$le %"#n, the h&(#n )%#in.
9B
Science is n! #tte($tin" t &nde%st#nd the h&(#n
)%#in n the #n#l"y f #n elect%nic c($&t%, i. e., #s
# de-ice f% st%in" #nd %et%ie-in" inf%(#tin, %de%in"
this inf%(#tin in ne! c()in#tins, #nd %e"&l#tin" %
c%%ectin" its !n $%"%#((ed )eh#-i%.
94
The
c($&t%, h!e-e%, is nt # li-in" %"#nis(, #nd if (#n
is t $%d&ce # ' (#chine th#t thin2s,' it !&ld see(
th#t he (&st H%st $%d&ce # li-in" (#chine #nd then
de-el$ it t the $int th#t it c#n thin2. It is enti%ely
$ssi)le, #s f#% #s !e c#n see, th#t s(ed#y (#n !ill
synthesi1e h&(#n, thin2in" )ein"s &t f nn8li-in"
che(ic#ls,
7=
)&t t
9B
@% #n e0tensi-e #n#lysis f the $%esent st#te f this ,&estin see
M%ti(e% E. Adle%, The 2i8erence of Man and the 2i8erence it Ma5es
3/lt, Lhineh#%t, Winstn. N. Y.6, +45C, es$. c. B, ' The Pi-t#l @#ct.
/&(#n S$eech,' $. ++9 *. Als see Ch#%les @. /c2ett #nd L)e%t
Asche%, 'The /&(#n Le-l&tin,' Current #nthropology, <.7 3E&ne,
+45:6, $$. +7<8+5B. This des nt $%ecl&de the $ssi)ility f the
f%esh#d!in" f l#n"&#"e #(n" nn8h&(#n $%i(#tes n !hich
(&ch st&dy is n! )ein" dne, see L. A. A#%dne% #nd B. T. A#%dne%,
#nd D. P%e(c2, ' L#n"&#"e in P%i(#tes,' Science, +5<. 55: 3+4546.
94
See W. Lss Ash)y, 2esign for a 'rain 3Ch#$(#n #nd /#ll. Lndn,
Ehn Wiley #nd Sns. N. Y., +45=F 9nd ed.6.
7=
See Neil P. /&%ley, 'The C(in" f the /&(#nids,' Co!!onweal,
4+.+= 3Dec. <, +4546, $$. 94C87== !h ,&tes the #nthl"y ed. )y
Willi#( @. Nl#n, The Pseudo(People, #s s#yin" ' The )i%th f the H%st
#nd%id, the%ef%e is # lt clse% t &s th#n !e (i"ht i(#"ine.
A%tiHci#l he#%ts, l&n"s #nd #%te%ies #%e #l%e#dy )ein" de-el$ed in
scienceF the #%tiHci#l )%#in is the ne0t (#?% ste$ t!#%d the
c%e#tin f h&(#ni1ed %)ts.' M%e se%i&sly C. @. -n Wei1Mc2e%,
the Relevance of Science$ Creation and Cos!ogony 3/#%$e% #nd
L!. N. Y., +45:6 . ' It is #n #ncient d%e#( t (#2e # h&(#n )ein". I
d nt see th#t &% $%esent 2n!led"e $%-es th#t this is
i($ssi)le. P%)#)ly, if !e c&ld )&ild # (#n, it !&ld )e # h%%i)le
thin" %e#lly t d it. It (i"ht )e the Hn#l s#c%ile"e, #nd its
cnse,&ences (i"ht )e dis#st%&s. Pe%h#$s !e #%e %i"htly #f%#id f
it, #nd &% fe#% t#2es the f%( f the )elief th#t it is i($ssi)le. I
thin2 (#ny f &% )eliefs #%e dis"&ised fe#%s. B&t the %e#sn (i"ht
?&st )e th#t !h#t y& need t (#2e # (#n is hist%yF $e%h#$s it
c#nnt )e dne in less th#n f&% th&s#nd (illin ye#%s,' $. +:=.
$#"e 9+C
d this !e (&st h#-e #ll the inf%(#tin cnt#ined in
the %"#ni1#tin f the )%#in #nd th#t $%es&$$ses
th%&"h &nde%st#ndin" f the l!e% life $%cesses #s
!ell.
If it is $ssi)le f% (#n t 2n! hi(self s $e%fectly th#t
he e-en &nde%st#nds the !%2in" f the )%#in )y !hich
he thin2s #nd the $%cess f th&"ht itself, then this
i($lies th#t h&(#n intelli"ence is # c#$#city f% tt#l
%eIe0i-ity. T (#2e &%sel-es, !e (&st 2n! t the
-e%y c%e ?&st h! !e #%e cnstit&ted. All the
inf%(#tin !hich is )&ilt int &s )y e-l&tin in
$hysic#l f%( (&st #ls )e $%esent in &s in $sychic %
sy()lic f%(, s th#t !e c#n then &se these sy()ls
t %ecnst%&ct # $hysic#l (#n. It is this t%#nsf%(#tin
f inf%(#tin f%( the $hysic#l t the intentional (de
!hich is the )dy8(ind $l#%ity.
7+
The e-l&tin f h&(#n c&lt&%e c#n )e -ie!ed #s #
$%cess )y !hich the h&(#n c((&nity is tendin" t
this tt#l, %eIe0i-e, #nd cnst%&cti-e self82n!led"e.
C&lt&%#l #nth%$l"y #nd !%ld hist%y h#-e sh!n
h! (#n h#s ste$ )y ste$ de-el$ed the sy()lic
syste(s #nd technl"ic#l s2ills )y !hich he h#s
le#%ned (%e #nd (%e t cnt%l his en-i%n(ent.
E#ch ste$ in disc-e%in" the n#t&%e f &% en-i%n(ent
h#s #ls (e#nt # ste$ in inc%e#sed self8&nde%st#ndin",
since the h&(#n s$ecies h#s e-l-ed th%&"h the
st%&""le !ith its en-i%n(ent. This is Teilh#%d de
Ch#%dinJs ' h(ini1#tin ' $%cess. M#n h#s (-ed
f%( # self8&nde%st#ndin" th%&"h (et#$h%ic#l
l#n"&#"e 3(yths6, th%&"h #n &nde%st#ndin" in te%(s
f &ni-e%s#l cnce$ts 3cl#ssic#l $hils$hy6, t &%
e*%ts t &nde%st#nd &%sel-es in # scientiHc (#nne%
)y %ecnst%&ctin" the c&%se f e-l&tin. @&%the%, it
see(s li2ely th#t !e #%e (-in" int # f&%th $e%id in
!hich the %ed&ctinistic #nd %#tin#listic
7+
The ntin f intentionality is c((n t (#ny $hils$hies f
(ind. See /en%y B. Ve#ch, ' Minds. Wh#t #nd Whe%e in the W%ld #%e
They> ' in E%d#n M. Sche%, ed., Theories of the Mind 3The @%ee P%ess.
N. Y., +4596, $$. 7+:8794.
$#"e 9+B
%est%ictins f 2n!led"e !hich h#-e $%ed(in#ted
d&%in" the scientiHc e$ch !ill yield t # (%e
inte"%#ted -ie! f the !%ld in !hich the
c($le(ent#%ity f di*e%ent (des f 2n!led"e is
#cce$ted. A(n" the% indic#tins f this ne! st#"e f
h&(#n thin2in" is the %ec"nitin )y $hils$he%s f
science th#t science itself is # c%e#ti-e, h&(#nistic
(de f th&"ht, nt $&%e )?ecti-ity. Pe%h#$s the te%(
' c%e#ti-e ' )est desc%i)es this f&%th $h#se f h&(#n
self8&nde%st#ndin".
79
/&(#n intelli"ence, the%ef%e, incl&des #nd t%#nscends
che(ic#l #nd )il"ic#l e-l&tin in th#t (#n c(es t
&nde%st#nd #nd cnt%l e-l&tin in # c%e#ti-e !#y )y
$%cesses th#t #%e nt nly $hysic#l )&t H%st f #ll
sy()lic. M#nJs )eh#-i% is $enet%#ted )y
intentionality+ It is he%e th#t his c%e#ti-ity %esides, since
nce he &nde%st#nds n#t&%e he is nt nly #)le t
%e$%d&ce it )&t t %e8c%e#te it, t int%d&ce "en&ine,
f%eely chsen n-elty int the !%ld.
The $ssi)ility f this intelli"ent, %"#nic life %i"in#ted
#(n" #%)%e#l $%i(#te (#((#ls !h h#d # hi"hly
de-el$ed, inte%n#li1ed en-i%n(ent, #n e0cellent
ne%-&s syste( !ith "d -isin #nd he#%in", #nd !h
h#d #n e%ect $st&%e th#t f%eed the &$$e% li()s,
(#2in" f% "%e#t ()ility #nd c#$#city e#sily t s&%-ey
#nd (#ni$&l#te the en-i%n(ent #nd t c((&nic#te
th%&"h "est&%es #nd -c#l si"ns. Mst i($%t#nt f #ll,
s&ch $%i(#tes li-ed sci#lly in # c&lt&%#l %#the% th#n #n
instincti-e insect8li2e sciety.
77
It is th&"ht th#t in Af%ic# #%)%e#l #$es !e%e f%ced t
the "%&nd )y en-i%n(ent#l ch#n"es #nd )e"#n t
c((&nic#te
79
C(teJs th%ee8fld sche(e f the de-el$(ent f h&(#n th&"ht.
the thel"ic#l, the $hils$hic#l, #nd the scientiHc see(s t h#-e
s&%-i-ed #s ne f the )est !#ys f s&((#%i1in" the de-el$(ent
f h&(#n8th&"ht (des, )&t !e n! tend t see it #s cu!ulative
nt #s #n e-l&tin in !hich l#te% (des %ende% the e#%lie% )slete.
This &nde%st#ndin" is itself #n indic#tin th#t !e #%e (-in" in #
f&%th e$ch. The de-el$(ents in the $hils$hy f science
%efe%%ed t #%e st#ted )%illi#ntly in # $$&l#% #%ticle )y P#&l
@eye%#)end, ' E0$e%ts in # @%ee Sciety,' The Critic 3N-.8Dec.,
+4C=6, $$. <4854.
77
See /c2ett #nd Asche%, op+ cit+ #nd V. Leynlds, The #pes 3E. P.
D&ttn #nd C.. N. Y., +45C6, $$. +=5 *. Leynlds thin2s #n i($%t#nt
ele(ent in sci#l )eh#-i% !#s ' festi-#l "#the%in"s ' !hich h#-e
)een )se%-ed #(n" #$es.
$#"e 9+4
)y t%&e s$eech. It is $%)#)le th#t this t%&e s$eech #nd
the sy()lic, sci#l (de f )eh#-i% !hich it i($lied
$%-ed f s&ch s&%-i-#l -#l&e e-en !hen these
c#$#cities !e%e still -e%y %&di(ent#%y th#t n#t&%#l8
selectin $%ess&%e !%2ed in f#-% f the %#$id
e-l&tin f the l#%"e )%#in !hich (#2es it $ssi)le f%
ho!o sapiens t t&%n his en-i%n(ent int # c&lt&%e .
7:
Th&s, if !e #tte($t t %ecnst%&ct the sit&#tin in !hich
(#n e(e%"ed it is nt s&;cient (e%ely t $sit
)il"ic#l e-l&tin $e%#tin" in the s%t f sit&#tins
!hich e0$l#in the %i"in f s&)8h&(#n s$ecies. It is
necess#%y #ls t $sit in the ecsyste( f#ct%s !hich
#cc&nt f% sy!-olic -ehavior+ Unless $%t8(#n )e"#n
t #ct sy()lic#lly )y s(e ty$e f t%&e l#n"&#"e, it
!#s nt $ssi)le f% n#t&%#l8selectin t )e"in t sh#$e
hi( in the di%ectin f ho!o sapiens+ It see(s
est#)lished th#t # h&(#n inf#nt c#nnt de-el$ s$eech
% h&(#nly intelli"ent )eh#-i% e0ce$t in #n
en-i%n(ent !hich incl&des sy()lic )eh#-i%. Des it
nt then see( di;c&lt t i(#"ine h! the H%st (en
)e"#n t s$e#2 in # sit&#tin !he%e sy()ls,
intentin#lity, !e%e nt # $#%t f the ecsyste( in
!hich he li-ed>
7<
It is necess#%y t s&$$se, the%ef%e, th#t the H%st (en
%i"in#ted in # sit&#tin !hich !#s (%e th#n #
)il"ic#l ' en-i%n(ent ' )ec#&se it #l%e#dy h#d the
ch#%#cte% f # %&di(ent#%y
7:
/c2ett #nd Asche%, op+ cit+ #%"&e th#t %&di(ent#%y )&t t%&e
s$eech (#y h#-e )een $ssi)le !hen the )%#in !#s still clse t the
le-el f $%esent nn8h&(#n $%i(#tes, #nd this see(s s&$$%ted )y
A#%dne%, A#%dne%, #nd P%e(c2, op+ cit+ The%e #%e # "%e#t -#%iety f
c&%%ent the%ies n the de-el$(ent f tl8(#2in" #nd s$eech, e.
"., A%-e% D%#nt1, ' B%#in Si1e #nd /&ntin" A)ility in E#%liest M#n,'
Current #nthropology, Vl. 4, < 3Dec. +45B6, $$. :<=8<+ #%"&es th#t
(#nJs h#i%lessness #nd l#%"e )%#in is the %es&lt f persistent hunting
)ec#&se t $&%s&e #n #ni(#l f% # ln" ti(e (#n (&st )e #)le t
2ee$ cl !hile %&nnin" #nd t %e(e()e% !h#t he is ch#sin". See
#ls the -#%iety f $inins e0$%essed in the disc&ssin f Dn#ld L.
Wl)e%", ' The /y$thesi1ed Ostednt2%#tic C&lt&%e f the
A&st%#l$ithicin#e,' i-id+, ++. + 3@e). +4C=6, $$. 9789C, #nd the
disc&ssin )y Ehn Le!is #nd Be%n#%d T!ns, a5ed #pe or Ho!o
Sapiens$ # reply to 2es!ond Morris 3A#%nstne P%ess. Lndn,
+4546.
7<
On the ste$s f%( $%i(#te t h&(#n &se f si"n#ls see Ehn E.
Pfei*e%, The E!ergence of Man 3/#%$e% #nd L!. N. Y., +4546, C. +4,
' The E-l&tin f L#n"&#"e,' $$. 7498:+:.
$#"e 99=
' c&lt&%e.' This (e#ns th#t it incl&ded fe#t&%es !hich in
%el#tin t $%t8(#n !e%e c#$#)le f f&nctinin" #s
signs, sy()ls, $hysic#l )e#%e%s f intentin#lity. It is
he%e th#t (de%n child $sychl"y is f hel$ #s it
)e"ins t &n%#-el the !#ys in !hich the child de-el$s
#s # $e%sn in # !%ld f (e#nin"s !hich %e,&i%e
sy()lic e0$%essin, #lth&"h the child is #t H%st #!#%e
nly f $hysic#l sens#tins. S(eh! these sens#tins
perceived in a social context #ct #s sy()ls th%&"h
!hich the child c((&nic#tes !ith the%s #nd de-el$s
# self8&nde%st#ndin" #nd $e%sn#l identity #s he
"%#d&#lly le#%ns t s$e#2. The %i"in#l sens#tins #%e
nly #t the )il"ic#l le-el, )&t they "%#d&#lly #c,&i%e
intentin#lity #nd )ec(e sy()ls.
75
M#n (&st h#-e
e(e%"ed in # sci#l settin" in !hich s$eech #nd
th&"ht !e%e s(eh! #l%e#dy $%e8cnt#ined. Td#y #
child %i"in#tes in # c&lt&%e in !hich the necess#%y
inf%(#tin f% his th&"ht is $%e8cnt#ined in the
#%tif#cts f the c&lt&%e, !ith its -e%)#l #nd nn8-e%)#l
sy()lis(. This c&lt&%e is "%#d&#lly inte%n#li1ed )y the
child )y # $%cess f #cc&lt&%#tin % ' ed&c#tin.'
The%ef%e, the e-ent &t f !hich (#n #%se (&st h#-e
)een #l%e#dy # ' (e#nin"8f&ll ' e-ent, s th#t the
en-i%n(ent #$$e#%ed t (#n #s # ' !%ld ' 3in the
sense f th#t te%( &sed )y $hen(enl"y6 ,
7C
#s
s(ethin" Hlled !ith
75
On c&%%ent -ie!s #s t h! child%en le#%n t s$e#2 see /e%(in#
Sincl#i%8de8N!#%t, ' De-el$(ent#l Psychlin"&istic ' in D#-id
El2&nd #nd Ehn /. @l#-ell, eds., Studies in Cognitive 2evelop!ent$
Essays in Honor of 9ean Piaget 3O0f%d Uni-e%sity P%ess. N. Y., +4546,
$$. 7+<8775. Pi#"et #nd his fll!e%s insist th#t # child H%st le#%ns t
thin2 #nd then t t#l2. /e le#%ns t thin2 )y e0$l%in" #nd
inte%#ctin" !ith the en-i%n(ent, H%st le#%nin" t %ec"ni1e the
cntin&ity #nd $e%(#nence f )?ects #nd then t ' 2n! th#t he
2n!s ' these )?ects. Only then is he %e#dy t n#(e #nd t#l2 #)&t
the(. Als /ein1 We%ne% #nd Be%n#%d D#$l#n, Sy!-ol 7or!ations$
#n %rganis!ic 2evelop!ental #pproach to &anguage and the
Expression of Thought 3Cl#%2 Uni-e%sity. Ehn Wiley #nd Sns, N.Y.,
+4576, !hich e($h#si1es th#t l#n"&#"e des nt %i"in#te in (e%ely
$%#"(#tic #cti-ities f the child )&t in c"niti-e nes 3see es$. the
#n#lysis f /elen Delle%Js e0$e%ience n $. ++= *.6 #nd %e,&i%es the
sci#l e0$e%ience f 'sh#%in"' # c((n inte%est in )?ects, $$. C+
*.
7C
On (e#nin" f te%( ' !%ld ' in $hen(enl"y see Willi#( A.
L&i?$en, O. S. A., Existential Pheno!enology 3D&,&esne Uni-e%sity
P%essF E. N#&!el#e%ts. L&-#in, +45=6, $$. +<877.
$#"e 99+
!nde% #nd (e#nin", nt #s #n #sse()l#"e f )%&te
f#cts % (e%e ' sti(&li.' This !%ld c((&nic#ted
s(ethin" t (#n, #s it cntin&es t d, #lth&"h this
(e#nin" %e(#ins e-e% $e%il&sly )#l#nced n the 2nife8
ed"e f #()i"&ity. The e0istenti#lists !h td#y
decl#%e the &ni-e%se t )e #)s&%d #%e s#yin" in e*ect
th#t the !#-es f ent%$ic d( #%e e#tin" #!#y #t the
f&nd#tins f the li-#)le !%ld in !hich (#n c#n feel '
#t h(e.' M#nJs e*%t t Hnd (e#nin" in the !%ld #nd
t e0$%ess it in !%ds see(s e-e% #)&t t )e en"&lfed
)y the %isin" tide f %#nd( nise. ' Life is # t#le tld
)y #n idit, f&ll f s&nd #nd f&%y, si"nifyin"
nthin". . . .'
The Uni-e%s#l #nd the Indi-id&#l
At this $int it is necess#%y t %#ise # -e%y ld ,&estin,
th#t f %e#lis( #nd n(in#lis(. When !e disc&ss
n-elty #nd e(e%"ence, #%e !e s$e#2in" f # s$ecies
% f #n indi-id&#l> D#%!inJs "%e#t )2 !#s c#lled The
%rigin of Species, )&t )-i&sly !h#t %i"in#tes #nd is
"en&inely ne! #nd &ni,&e in the !%ld is #l!#ys #n
indi-id&#l. When n-elty h#s s$%e#d t (#ny inst#nces
it is #l%e#dy lsin" its f%eshness.
It is t%&e th#t f% the )il"ist the $%)le( f e-l&tin
is the %i"in f # ne! inte%8)%eedin" $$&l#tin
%e$%d&cti-ely isl#ted f%( the%s. @% the c&lt&%#l
#nth%$l"ist !h#t e(e%"es is ne! f&nctin#lly
inte"%#ted c&lt&%es. E-en #t the (lec&l#% #nd #t(ic
le-el the%e is # %e#l sense in !hich the%e #%e ' s$ecies,'
since nt nly is the%e # ,&#ntit#ti-e identity f
c($sitin #nd st%&ct&%e )et!een #ll /
9
O (lec&les,
% #ll sil-e% #t(s, )&t the%e is #ls # tendency f li2e
#t(s % (lec&les t f%( h("ene&s c%yst#ls %
li,&ids. Yet e-en in these cllecti-e %e#lities in !hich #ll
the (e()e%s #%e -e%y (&ch #li2e, the%e is #ls #
"en&ine &ni,&eness #nd n-elty in the indi-id&#l.
S(e h#-e i(#"ined th#t e-e%y elect%n !#s the s#(e
#s e-e%y the% elect%n e0ce$t f% its s$#ti8te($%#l
lc#tin. /!e-e%, the f#ct th#t the )eh#-i% f s&)8
#t(ic entities c#n )e $%edicted nly )y statistical laws
see(s t indic#te th#t these
$#"e 999
entities c#nnt )e $e%fectly desc%i)ed )y # "ene%#l
deHnitin.
7B
The e0istence f ist$es #(n" the
ele(ents #nd the c($le0ity f (lec&l#% st%&ct&%es
#ls indic#te th#t the $e%idic t#)le f the ele(ents
#nd the che(ic#l f%(&l#e f c($&nds is nly #
%&"h cl#ssiHc#tin f the -#st -#%iety f che(ic#l
entities, s th#t n t! #t(s % t! (lec&les need
)e th&"ht f #s #)sl&tely identic#l in st%&ct&%e. Once
the %"#nic le-el is %e#ched, n t! indi-id&#ls !ithin
the s#(e s$ecies #%e f&nd t h#-e identic#l "enetic
c($sitin. E-en ' identic#l t!ins ' $e%h#$s di*e% in
the cyst$l#s(ic "enes !hich #%e #t le#st # secnd#%y
f#ct% in the de-el$(ent f the indi-id&#l.
74
At the
$sych8sci#l le-el !e see th#t nt nly #%e c&lt&%es in
# cnst#nt st#te f de-el$(ent #nd inte%ch#n"e, )&t
th#t # c&lt&%e h#s $!e% t s&%-i-e #nd $%"%ess t the
de"%ee th#t it hel$s e#ch indi-id&#l (e()e% #chie-e #
&ni,&e $e%sn#l identity #nd # $!e% f c%e#ti-e
in-entin.
:=
The di%ectin f e-l&tin, the%ef%e, is
t!#%d the e(e%"ence f &ni,&e $e%sns. If (en
#chie-e self8&nde%st#ndin", s th#t e#ch indi-id&#l
feels th#t he (&st ' (#2e hi(self,' then e#ch h&(#n
$e%sn !ill )ec(e # !%2 f Hne #%t, #nd li2e s&ch
!%2s, !ill )e &ni,&e.
Wh#t then )ec(es f the cl#ssic#l distinctin !hich
&nde%lies #ll Weste%n $hils$hy )et!een essence #nd
accident3
7B
See the disc&ssin f the st#tistic#l n#t&%e f ,&#nt&(8(ech#nics
in E%nest N#"el, The Structure of Science 3/#%c&%t B%#ce #nd W%ld,
Inc.. N. Y., +45+6, $$. 7=< *. @% (#c%sc$ic e-ents the%e #%e
&ni-e%s#l dete%(inistic l#!s, )&t these %eIect the c#ncellin" &t f
i%%e"&l#%ities in s&)8#t(ic e-ents !hich #%e "-e%ned nly )y
st#tistic#l l#!s. N#"el sh!s th#t these statistical l#!s d nt %eIect
# )%e#ch f the $%inci$le f c#&s#lity #t the s&)8#t(ic le-el )&t
si($ly the f#ct th#t !e c#n nly )se%-e #nd $%edict the )eh#-i% f
#""%e"#tes, nt f indi-id&#l $#%ticles.
74
See A(%#( Scheinfeld, Twins and Supertwins 3E. P. Li$$inctt.
Phil#del$hi#, +45C6 #nd /elen L. Dch, Twins and Twin Relations
3Uni-e%sity f Chic#", +4556, !hich sh! th#t #lth&"h identic#l
t!ins #s they (#t&%e "%! (%e #li2e $hysic#lly, they #%e c#$#)le f
f&lly distinct $e%sn#lity.
:=
See Ch#%les A. M%e #nd Aldyth U. M%%is, eds., The Status of the
Individual in East and 1est 3Uni-e%sity f /#!#ii P%ess. /nl&l&,
+45=6, # sy($si&( in !hich nted $hils$he%s f #ll the "%e#t
!%ld t%#ditins st%&""le !ith the ,&estin f the di"nity f the
indi-id&#l $e%sn #nd see( t #"%ee th#t #ll these t%#ditins
cn-e%"e in #n #tte($t t est#)lish the f%ee, cnsci&s, %es$nsi)le
indi-id&#l.
$#"e 997
M&st !e Hn#lly #cce$t n(in#lis(> N(in#lis( t2
f%( A%isttle the cn-ictin th#t nthin" is %e#l )&t the
indi-id&#l. It #ls t2 f%( hi( the #0i( th#t '
science is f the &ni-e%s#l.' It then d%e! the cncl&sin
th#t science, 3i. e., essenti#l 2n!led"e f %e#lity6 is
i($ssi)le, hence science is #n #*#i% f n#(es
desi"n#tin" # cllectin f #ccidents #nd nt f
essenti#l n#t&%es.
In the e-l&tin#%y $e%s$ecti-e # di*e%ent $ssi)ility
e(e%"es. ' Science ' f% A%isttle !#s # (#tte% f
&ni-e%s#l 2n!led"e, )ec#&se &% 2n!led"e f the
essence f thin"s is $ssi)le nly )y #)st%#ctin %
"ene%#li1#tin. /e did nt deny, h!e-e%, th#t
indi-id&#ls d in f#ct h#-e &ni,&e essences )&t nly
th#t #n intellect&#l 2n!led"e f this &ni,&eness is
$ssi)le f% &s.
:+
N! !e )e"in t see th#t the the%y f
e-l&tin $%-ides &s !ith # !#y t &nde%st#nd the
&ni,&eness f the indi-id&#l in #n essenti#l (#nne%.
A,&in#s, )#sin" hi(self n A%istteli#n $%inci$les, held
th#t Ad, )ec#&se he (#de e#ch &ni,&e thin", h#s #n
essenti#l &nde%st#ndin" f the indi-id&#l.
:9
E-l&tin#%y
the%y #i(s #t #chie-in" s&ch # $%#ctic#l 2n!led"e f
the indi-id&#l th#t !e c#n s#y !h#t inf%(#tin !#s
%e,&i%ed t $%d&ce this &ni,&e %"#nis(, )e#st %
(#n.
This e0$l#ins #ls !hy (de%n science des nt insist,
#s A%isttle did, th#t scientiHc 2n!led"e sh&ld )e '
ce%t#in #nd necess#%y.' O&% %ecnst%&ctin f the
hist%y f #n indi-id&#l c#n ne-e% )e $e%fect, #nd hence
(de%n science, !hich see2s t 2n! the indi-id&#l
th%&"h e-l&tin#%y $%cess, is #l!#ys cn?ect&%#l,
$%)#)le. Yet this des nt (e#n th#t e-e%ythin" !e
2n! #)&t #n indi-id&#l is nly $%)#)le.
:7
The%e is n
:+
Posterior #nalytics, I, 7+, BC) 9C s,.
:9
Su!!a Theologiae, I, ,. +: #. ++. A,&in#s #%"&es th#t 'it $e%t#ins
t &% 3h&(#n6 $e%fectin t 2n! the sin"&l#%,' hence Ad (&st
#lsF )&t !hile (#n 2n!s the sin"&l#% )y # 2n!led"e !hich is
$#%tly f intellect, $#%tly f sense, Ad 2n!s the sin"&l#% )y #
$&%ely intellect&#l 2n!led"e. A,&in#s f&%the% #%"&es th#t, since
Ad $%d&ces the c%e#t&%e in its tt#lity, incl&din" the (#tte% )y
!hich it is indi-id&#ted, he (&st 2n! it is indi-id&#l.
:7
Nthin" is (%e "ene%#lly #cce$ted )y (de%n science th#n th#t
#ll scientiHc 2n!led"e is nly $%)#)le, !hich &s&#lly ends )y
s#yin" th#t all 2n!led"e is nly $%)#)le. Th&s ' the hist%ic#l
de-el$(ent f $hysics led t the %es&lt th#t the $%)#)ility cnce$t
is f&nd#(ent#l t #ll st#te(ents #)&t %e#lity. St%ictly s$e#2in", !e
c#nnt (#2e # sin"le st#te(ent #)&t %e#lity the -#lidity f !hich
c#n )e #sse%ted !ith (%e th#n $%)#)ility.' /#ns Leichen)#ch, The
Theory of Pro-a-ility 3Uni-e%sity f C#lif%ni# P%ess. Be%2eley, +4:46.
This -ie! %ests n the ntin th#t ce%tit&de is # $%$e%ty f #n#lytic
$%$sitins, !hile synthetic $%$sitins 3the nly nes th#t
cnce%n ' %e#lity '6 #%e -e%iHed )y ind&ctin 3% $%edictin6 !hich
c#n ne-e% yield &ni-e%s#l #nd necess#%y t%&th. T this it c#n )e
%e$lied. 3+6 the%e #%e #lte%n#ti-es t the $siti-istic e$iste(l"y f
scienceF 396 it is # reductio ad a-surdu! t s#y th#t n st#te(ent
#)&t %e#lity is ce%t#in, )ec#&se then n st#te(ent c&ld )e
$%)#)le eithe%, since deter!inate $%)#)ility i($lies s(e
ce%tit&des #s Be%t%#nd L&ssell sh!ed in Hu!an :nowledge 3Allen
#nd Un!in. Lndn, +4:B6, $. :+5F see the disc&ssin f
Leichen)#ch, C. L. Le!is, #nd Nelsn Ad(#n in The Philosophical
Review, 5+, 9 3A$%il, +4<96, $$. +:C8+C<. Nelsn "i-es the )est
#%"&(ent #"#inst L&ssell, st#tin" ' Th#t !e h#-e $%)#)le
2n!led"e then, i($lies n ce%t#inty )&t nly initi#l c%edi)ility.' 3$.
+576 /!e-e%, this (e%ely $&shes the di;c&lty )#c2 t the )#sis f
c%edi)ility. /! is # thin" c%edi)le &nless it #t le#st h#s s(e
dete%(in#te $%)#)ility> Mich#el Pl#nyi, Personal :nowledge
3/#%$e% T%ch)2s, /#%$e% #nd L!. N. Y., +4596, C. 4, $$. 954894B,
' The C%iti,&e f D&)t ' sh!s th#t the fe#% f ce%tit&de is nt e-en
# "d he&%istic $%inci$le f% the sciences.
$#"e 99:
%e#l d&)t th#t this %"#nis( n#(ed M%. Enes, (y
nei"h)%, is # h&(#n )ein" #nd nt # chi($#n1ee. O%
th#t this li,&id is !#te% #nd nt s&l$h&%ic #cid. The
hy$thetic8ded&cti-e (de f thin2in" c#(e t
d(in#te science $%ecisely !hen it )ec#(e #$$#%ent
th#t t &nde%st#nd the sl#%8syste( in !hich !e li-e it
is necess#%y t l2 )eynd $&%e &ni-e%s#l l#!s t the
cntin"ent sit&#tin, i.e., th#t the sl#% syste( is (#de
&$ f these $#%tic&l#% $l#nets !ith these $#%tic&l#%
%)its #nd -elcities, nne f !hich is $%edict#)le f%(
#ny "ene%#l l#! )&t nly f%( the hist%y f the sl#%
syste(. It then )ec#(e #$$#%ent th#t the &ni-e%s#l l#!
f "%#-it#tin c#n )e -e%iHed nly )y #ss&(in"
$#%tic&l#%, hist%ic sit&#tins.
::
The%e is ne-e% #ny
$%)le( in disc-e%in" &ni-e%s#l l#!s f n#t&%e, i. e.,
!hich (i"ht )e t%&e in s(e hy$thetic#l &ni-e%se. The
$%)le( is #l!#ys t 2n! !h#t l#!s #%e $e%#ti-e in
&% &ni-e%se #nd th#t &ni-e%se is the $%d&ctin f #n
e-l&tin#%y hist%y. We c#n, h!e-e%, f%(&l#te #
&ni-e%s#l l#! f "%#-it#tin, #nd !e
:+
Th&s Ne!tni#n science see(ed t "i-e # !nde%f&lly #de,&#te
#cc&nt f the sl#% syste(, )&t it !#s sn %e#li1ed th#t in f#ct this
e0$l#n#tin $%es&$$sed # history+ /ence, D#nt #nd the%s )e"#n t
#tte($t t %ecnst%&ct this hist%y in the f%( f the ' ne)&l#%
hy$thesis.'
$#"e 99<
c#n e-en )e ce%t#in th#t this l#! is so!ehow $e%#ti-e
in &% #ct&#l &ni-e%se, )&t the%e is #l!#ys # %#n"e f
&nce%t#inty !hen !e c(e t s#y ?&st h! this l#! is
$e%#ti-e in &% !%ld, )ec#&se &% 2n!led"e f the
!%ld sit&#tin in its hist%ic de-el$(ent %e(#ins
#l!#ys i($e%fect. The !%ld itself is essenti#lly
i($e%fect ?&st )ec#&se it is in hist%ic#l $%cess.
Des this (e#n th#t the essence8#ccident distinctin,
% the ntin f # s$ecies, # &ni-e%s#l essence, is Hn#lly
eli(in#ted> N, )ec#&se the%e still %e(#ins #n
i($%t#nt sense in !hich #ll h&(#n )ein"s h#-e #
c((n ' h&(#n n#t&%e,' )&t !e (&st &nde%st#nd this
#)st%#ctin #s h#-in" its f&nd#tin in the %e#l inte%8
%el#tin #nd inte%8#ctin )et!een &ni,&e indi-id&#ls.
Thei% &ni,&eness is nt ' #ccident#l ' t this c((&nity
)&t essenti#l.
:<
A(n" h&(#n )ein"s c((&nity in
n#t&%e is f&nd nt s (&ch in (e%e si(il#%ity f
st%&ct&%e #nd f#c&lty #s in the (&t&#l inte%8
c((&nic#tin !hich (#2es it $ssi)le f% the( t
sh#%e # c((n c&lt&%e. Si(il#%ly, n l!e% le-els,
s$ecies is t )e f&nd (%e in c((n $%cess th#n in
identity f st%&ct&%e % $tenti#lity. Ani(#ls f%( #
sin"le s$ecies )ec#&se they inte%8)%eed. Pe%h#$s !e
c&ld s#y th#t (lec&les #nd #t(s #%e the s#(e
s$ecies )ec#&se they c#n f%( c%yst#ls. In e#ch c#se
the indi-id&#l )%in"s t this inte%#ctin its &ni,&eness,
#nd it is this &ni,&e cnt%i)&tin !hich is f the &t(st
si"niHc#nce. In h&(#n sciety it is the indi-id&#l
$e%sn#lity !hich (#2es f% Ie0i)ility #nd $%"%essi-e
ch#n"e. In )il"ic#l e-l&tin it is the (&t#tin #nd
the n-el c()in#tin f "enetic f#ct%s in the
indi-id&#l th#t (#2es $%"%ess $ssi)le. E-en in
che(ic#l e-l&tin che(ic#l $%cess )e"ins !ith s(e
&ni,&e enc&nte% f $#%ticles in !hich # c%yst#l )e"ins
t f%( % # %e#ctin )e"ins t t#2e $l#ce in #
dete%(in#te di%ectin.
@&%the%(%e, in the &ni,&e indi-id&#l the%e %e(#ins #
%e#l di*e%ence )et!een !h#t is essenti#l #nd !h#t is
#ccident#l. The
:<
A,&in#s t&ched n this !hen he insisted th#t Ad c&ld ne-e%
h#-e (#de #ny t! thin"s in the &ni-e%se e0#ctly #li2e, since (e%e
%e$etitin #dds nthin" t the $e%fectin f the &ni-e%se. On this see
Ch#%les De Dninc2, ' In Defense f St. Th(#s,' &aval Th;ologi.ue
et Philosophi.ue, +.9 3+4:<6, $$. +. +=7, $$. 9< *.
$#"e 995
essence is th#t st%&ct&%e #nd f&nd#(ent#l set f
#cti-ities !hich $%-ide the indi-id&#l !ith # st#)le
identity #nd cntin&ity. This identity is, f c&%se, nt
ete%n#l, )&t it $e%sists th%&"h (#ny st#tes, cnditins,
sit&#tins !hich (dify it in its %el#tin t the% thin"s
!ith&t dest%yin" it. @in#lly, !ith&t # d&)t, !e c#n
distin"&ish in the thin" )et!een its essence #nd its '
$%$e%ties,' since the%e is #n e($i%ic#l di*e%ence in #
thin" )et!een its $%i(#%y st%&ct&%es #nd f&nctins #nd
thse th#t #%e secnd#%y.
:5
Th&s, in #n #ni(#l the )%#in
#nd he#%t #%e essenti#l %"#ns #nd (et#)lis( #n
essenti#l f&nctin f% its s&%-i-#l in # !#y th#t its li()s
% its $!e% t di"est #%e nt, yet #ll #%e necess#%y t
its inte"%ity, f&ll f&nctin, #nd s&%-i-#l.
N#t&%e #nd /ist%y
I h#-e e($h#si1ed this shift f%( # science f the
&ni-e%s#l t #n e-l&tin#%y science f indi-id&#ls,
)ec#&se it ent#ils # shift f%( # science f ' n#t&%e ' t
# science f ' hist%y,' the si"niHc#nce f !hich, it
see(s t (e, scientists the(sel-es h#-e nt f&lly
%e#li1ed. @% the cl#ssic#l t%#ditin science de#ls !ith
n#t&%e, !hich is t )e &nde%std in te%(s f &ni-e%s#l
natural laws, !hile hist%y de#ls !ith the #ccident#l #nd
is inc#$#)le f %e#l scientiHc &nde%st#ndin".
:C
In #n e-l&tin#%y sche(e, h!e-e%, the ' n#t&%e ' f
%e#lity is $%f&ndly hist%ic#l. N#t&%e is the hist%y f
the e(e%"ence #nd dis#$$e#%#nce f &ni,&e
indi-id&#ls. They %i"in#te in &ni,&e e-ents, $#%tici$#te
in &ni,&e e-ents, #nd then #%e dest%yed in the
ent%$ic Id !hich Hn#lly -e%!hel(s #ll th#t is
&ni,&e #nd distincti-e. The%e #%e #s (#ny &ni,&e '
n#t&%es ' #s the%e #%e &ni,&e indi-id&#ls. Ne-e%theless,
these indi-id&#ls
:5
The $int is ften (issed th#t !hen A%isttle s$2e f essence,
$%$e%ties, #nd #ccidents, he h#d in (ind # (ethd f deHnitin
)#sed n the e($i%ic#l st&dy f $%i(#%y #nd secnd#%y f&nctins in
#n %"#nis(. See 2e Parti-us #ni!aliu!, !hich is the )est
e0e($liHc#tin f !h#t the l"ic#l dct%ine f the Posterior #nalytics
(e#nt in #ct&#l #$$lic#tin.
:C
@% # disc&ssin f the !#y in !hich the cnce$t f 'n#t&%e' tends
t "i-e !#y t the cnce$t f ' hist%y ' in (de%n th&"ht see, L.
A. Cllin"!d, The Idea of ature 3O0f%d, +4:<6, $$. +C:8+CC.
$#"e 99C
#%e "%&$ed int inte%#ctin" cllecti-ities f si(il#%
thin"s 3#n inte%8)%eedin" $$&l#tin, f% e0#($le6 #nd
h#-e %i"in#ted in si(il#% e-ents. Dn!led"e f the
indi-id&#l is $ssi)le )y the %ecnst%&ctin f the
hist%ic h#$$enin"s f%( !hich they h#-e e(e%"ed in
te%(s f the cnc&%%ence f ' "ene%#l l#!s ' !hich #%e
e0$%essi-e f the f&nd#(ent#l cs(ic f%ces f
"%#-it#tin, elect%(#"netis(, etc. E#ch f these
hist%ic e-ents is seen #ls #s e()dyin" $#st hist%y
!hich h#s $%e$#%ed the ne! e-ent in #n e-l&tin#%y
(#nne% )y !hich the $#st is $#%ti#lly )&ilt int the
$%esent. The ' inf%(#tin ' %e,&i%ed t $%d&ce e#ch
&ni,&e indi-id&#l #nd !hich "ets )&ilt int its essenti#l
st%&ct&%e is cnt#ined, s$%e#d &t #s it !e%e, in #ll the
lines f hist%y th#t cn-e%"e in the c%e#ti-e e-ent &t
f !hich th#t indi-id&#l e(e%"es t $l#y # %le in
f&%the% hist%ic h#$$enin"s.
The A%e#te% f%( the Less. The Ne! f%( the Old
The f%e"in" #n#lysis h#s #tte($ted t est#)lish t!
$ints. 3+6 E-l&tin in #ll its $h#ses %e,&i%es n the%
f%ces in the n#t&%e th#n the f&nd#(ent#l cs(ic
f%ces f "%#-it#tin, elect%(#"netis(, #nd the
n&cle#% f%ces. 396 The s$eciHc#tin f these "ene%#l
f%ces necess#%y t e0$l#in h! they c#n $%d&ce ne!
#nd e-e% (%e c($le0 syste(s c#n )e #cc&nted f%
nt in te%(s f s$eci#l n#t&%#l l#!s )&t in te%(s f
hist%y, f the cnc&%%ence f f%ces in s$eci#l
sit&#tins #nd in #$$%$%i#te se,&ence. Cnse,&ently,
e-l&tin des nt cnt%#dict the $%inci$le f c#&s#lity,
since !hen ne! thin"s e(e%"e, the (#tte%, the ene%"y,
#nd (st i($%t#nt, the infor!ation necess#%y t )&ild
the( #%e #ll #cc&nted f% in # s#tisf#ct%y !#y )y
c&%%ent scientiHc the%ies. E-en the e(e%"ence f (en
#s spiritual )ein"s, th#t is, c#$#)le f int&itin, s$eech,
chice, in-entin #ll %ted in sy()lic )eh#-i%, c#n
)e e0$l#ined in these te%(s, if !e c#n hist%ic#lly
#cc&nt f% # sit&#tin in !hich (#n )e"#n t )e #!#%e
f (e#nin" in the !%ld, #s # child )e"ins t
&nde%st#nd l#n"&#"e.
:B
:B
The $#$#l (#"iste%i&( 3nt#)ly Pi&s OII in Hu!ani "eneris #nd E.
Dh#nis, S. E., #nd E#n Visse%, C. SS. L., The Supple!ent to a ew
Catechis! P/e%de% #nd /e%de%. N. Y., +454Q, $. <+B, %e$%tin" the
%es&lts f the $#$#l c((issin !hich e0#(ined the ' D&tch
C#techis( '6 insists n ' the s$eci#l c%e#tin f the h&(#n s&l.' As
Dh#nis #nd Visse% $int &t, h!e-e%, this )y n (e#ns e0cl&des the
%le f the $#%ents 3#nd hence f the !hle e-l&tin#%y $%cess6 in
the "ene%#tin f the tt#l h&(#n $e%sn #s s&ch. In #ny theistic
-ie! f e-l&tin the c%e#ti-ity f the c%e#ted #"ents is #l!#ys #
participation in the c%e#ti-e #ctin f Ad. At e#ch ne! st#te f
e-l&tin this $#%tici$#tin t#2es n # ne! (de. In the "ene%#tin
f the h&(#n $e%sn the $#%ents t%&ly sh#%e )&t in # -e%y di*e%ent
(#nne% th#n d (e%ely #ni(#l $#%ents. At the s#(e ti(e the (de
in !hich Ad c%e#tes the h&(#n $e%sn is (%e di%ect #nd, #s it
!e%e, personal th#n the (#nne% in !hich he $%d&ces nn8$e%sns.
The cntin&ity f the e-l&tin#%y $%cess is nt )%2en )y the %i"in
f (#n, since e-l&tin is f%( the )e"innin" %ted in Ad, )&t it
ente%s nt # st%i2in"ly ne! #nd s$eci#l $h#se #t this $int. In the
%i"in f (#n, # $e%sn, Ad #$$e#%s n the scene, #s it !e%e, in
$e%sn #nd di%ectly. The Y#h!ist dc&(ent in "enesis !ith
(#%-el&s insi"ht, cn-eys this sense f AdJs s$eci#l $%esence in
the c%e#tin f (#n #nd !(#n.
@% # disc&ssin 3nt #lt"ethe% s#tisf#ct%y in (y $inin6 f the
(#"iste%i#l dc&(ents, see L)e%t N%th, S. E., Teilhard and the
Creation of the Soul 3B%&ce. Mil!#&2ee, +4556, es$. cc. C8B, $$. 9=:8
974.
$#"e 99B
/!e-e%, this !#y f &nde%st#ndin" e-l&tin %#ises #
dee$e% ,&estin. h! d !e e0$l#in history3 We c#nnt
h#-e %ec&%se nly t &ni-e%s#l n#t&%#l l#!s, since
!h#t #)-e #ll %e,&i%es t )e e0$l#ined is $%ecisely the
ele(ent f n-elty #nd &ni,&eness )y !hich hist%y
t%#nscends the %e"&l#%, st#)le $#tte%n f e-ents !hich
n#t&%#l l#! s&((#%i1es. /ist%y $%es&$$ses #nd
incl&des n#t&%#l #nd &ni-e%s#l l#!s #nd des nt
-il#te the(, )&t it is nt ded&ci)le f%( the(. Yet, the
e0istence f e-l&tin#%y $%cesses is e($i%ic#l
e-idence th#t hist%y is nt !ith&t intelli"i)ility.
The t%&th is th#t hist%ic#l e0$l#n#tin is ine-it#)ly
!ythical in ch#%#cte%.
:4
By this I (e#n th#t, !hen !e
#tte($t t ' e0$l#in '
:4
I &se ' (yth ' he%e (&ch #s it is deHned )y Mel-ille, E., #nd @%#nces
S. /e%s2-its, in 2aho!ean arrative 3E-#nstn, Ill., +4<B6, ' A (yth
is # n#%%#ti-e !hich "i-es sy()lic e0$%essin t # syste( f
%el#tinshi$s )et!een (#n #nd the &ni-e%se in !hich he Hnds
hi(self.' 3$. B+6 /ist%y is # n#%%#ti-e )-i&sly, #nd !hen this
n#%%#ti-e is &nde%std #s h&(#nly (e#nin"f&l it e0$%esses (#nJs
%el#tinshi$ t the !%ld. This e0$%essin, #lth&"h f#ct&#l #nd
%ted in e($i%ic#l e-idence, c%itic#lly tested, is ne-e%theless '
sy()lic ' since e0$e%ienced e0te%n#l e-ents #%e #n e$i$h#ny f the
inne% %e#lity f (#nJs e0istence. Th#t hist%y is (ythic#l des nt
(e#n th#t it is # %e"%essin t $%i(iti-e (des f thin2in" )&t %#the%
th#t it synthesi1es the (ythic#l st#"e f th&"ht !ith $hils$hic#l
#nd scientiHc (des f thin2in", the%e)y -e%c(in" thei%
li(it#tins.
$#"e 994
hist%ic#l e-ents, !e c#n d s nly )y #tt%i)&tin" t
the( s(e !eaning+ P&%ely ' e($i%ic#l ' hist%ic#l
e0$l#n#tins si($ly c(e d!n t desc%i$tins f the
-#%i&s lines f n#t&%#l c#&s#lity th#t cnc&%%ed in the
e-ent, )&t the cnc&%%ence (&st eithe% )e c#lled
(e%ely # cincidence, (e%e ch#nce 3#nd then the%e is
n e0$l#n#tin6, % !e (&st see in it s(e 2ind f
i($%t#nce, s(e 2ind f (e#nin".
@% e0#($le, the #ss#ssin#tin f # $%esident c#n )e
e($i%ic#lly e0$l#ined in te%(s f scil"y, $sychl"y,
)#llistics, #nd $hysil"y, )&t these e0$l#in nly !hy
s(e $%esident (i"ht )e #ss#ssin#ted, f% nt # fe!
#%e. It des nt e0$l#in the #ss#ssin#tin f Ehn
Dennedy %#the% th#n Lyndn B. Ehnsn, #nd it is
$%ecisely this &ni,&e e-ent th#t is t )e e0$l#ined.
Cnse,&ently, !e feel c($elled t (#2e s(e sense
&t f it !ythically, th#t is, )y seein" in Ehn Dennedy
#nd his st%#n"e st%y s(ethin" f s$eci#l h&(#n
(e#nin". Si(il#%ly, #cc&nts f cs(ic % )il"ic#l
e-l&tin #l!#ys #%e $%esented !ith the i($lied (yth
th#t #ll f this is %e(#%2#)le )ec#&se it h#s Hn#lly
$%d&ced us, h&(#n )ein"s c#$#)le f &nde%st#ndin"
!h#t h#s h#$$ened.
Cnf%nted !ith this )-i&s ele(ent f (yth in
e-l&tin#%y the%y, e($i%ic#l scientists #%e
(ethdl"ic#lly c($elled t deny its i($%t#nce #nd
t insist th#t science st$s sh%t !ith t%#cin" the
-#%i&s st%#nds f c#&s#lity th#t ente% int the e-ents
f e-l&tin#%y hist%y, !ith&t #tte($tin" t (#2e
e-l&tin #s s&ch intelli"i)le. In s&ch # $ict&%e it
#$$e#%s si($ly #s the )#c28eddy f the ent%$ic decline
f the &ni-e%se.
The (yth #$$%$%i#te t e-l&tin#%y the%y, h!e-e%,
need nt )e th#t f c%e#tinis( in the sense f the
cc#sin#l inte%-entin f # Ad cncei-ed #s #nthe%
f%ce #dded t the cs(ic f%ces t %e-e%se ent%$y,
n% #s #n inhe%ent -it#l f%ce in the (#nne% f
$#n$sychists li2e E&li#n /&0ley,
<=
n% (e%ely
<=
Religion without Revelation, %e-. ed. 3/#%$e%. N. Y., +4<C6, ' If #s is
the c#se, (ind #nd (#tte% ce0ist in the hi"he% #ni(#ls #nd (#nF
#nd if, #s is n! ce%t#in, the hi"he% #ni(#ls #nd (en #%e descended
f%( l!e% #ni(#ls, #nd these in t&%n f%( lifeless (#tte%, then
the%e see(s t )e n esc#$e f%( the )elief th#t #ll %e#lity h#s )th
# (#te%i#l #nd # (ent#l side, h!e-e% %&di(ent#%y #nd )el! the
le-el f #nythin" li2e &% cnsci&sness th#t (ent#l side (#y )e.'
3$. :+6
$#"e 97=
#s #n O(e"# $int d%#!in" the &ni-e%se #s f% Teilh#%d
de Ch#%din,
<+
n% #s # C%e#t% !h h#s n $!e% t
sh#%e his c%e#ti-ity !ith the%s, #s f% Th(#s
A,&in#s,
<9
)&t #s # %ec"nitin th#t the &ni-e%se is #
$l#ce in !hich c%e#ti-e e-ents cnst#ntly cc&% #s #
)#sic fe#t&%e f #ll n#t&%#l $%cesses, in !hich (#nJs
!n c%e#ti-ity is # s&((#tin f this cs(ic c%e#ti-ity.
Und&)tedly, this (yth i($lies # C%e#t%, )&t ne !h
sh#%es his c%e#ti-ity !ith the !%ld #nd !ith (#n in
hist%y.
<+
See L)e%t N%th, S. E., op+ cit+, c. :, ' C%e#tin #s Al$h# Pint,' $$.
B78++B. ' The Al$h# Pint 3#$$#%ently Teilh#%d des nt #ct&#lly &se
the te%(6 (&st h#-e e0hi)ited # (illinfld (%e intensely th#t J
C($le0ity l#tent in si($licity J !hich e-e%y -&( e0hi)its.
M%e-e%, this Al$h# Pint (&st, li2e O(e"#, $ssess s(e s$eci#l
identiH#)ility !ith Ch%ist % Ad.' 3$. ++56 This, in (y $inin, is the
!e#2 $int f Teilh#%dJs (#"niHcent (ythF it tends t %ed&ce the
historicity f the &ni-e%se, !ith its c%e#ti-ity, f%eed(, #nd $l#y, t #
natural $%cess, the ine-it#)le &nfldin" f seed 3!hich is the Stic
ide#, if the Al$h# Pint is the $%i(%di#l ch#tic (#tte%6 )#sed n
the ine-it#)le e(#n#tin f the &ni-e%se f%( the L"s 3!hich is
Ne8Pl#tnis(, if the Al$h# Pint is Ch%ist6. B&t (de%n e-l&tin#%y
the%y des nt s&$$%t this lawful inte%$%et#tin f the $hen(en#
f e-l&tin.
<9
It is f c&%se t%&e th#t A,&in#s denies th#t Ad c#n sh#%e creatio
ex nihilo !ith c%e#t&%es, )ec#&se # c%e#ted #"ent c#nnt $%d&ce
!ith&t #ctin" n $%ee0istin" (#tte% 3cf. Su!!a Theol+, I, ,. :<, #
<6. B&t if ' c%e#tin ' #nd ' c%e#ti-ity ' #%e &sed 3#s c((n &s#"e
h#s it td#y6 nt in -ie! f the (#te%i#l )&t the Hn#l c#&se, i. e., the
n-elty #nd &ni,&eness f !h#t is $%d&ced, then e-en in Th(istic
(et#$hysics Ad c#n #nd des sh#%e his c%e#ti-ity !ith his
c%e#t&%es. The shift f $int f -ie!, h!e-e%, is si"niHc#nt. A,&in#s
#s # $hils$he% s#! the &ni-e%se in A%istteli#n te%(s in !hich
hist%y #nd n-elty #%e nly secondary fe#t&%es f the !%ldF
#lth&"h #s # Ch%isti#n thel"i#n he %e#li1ed this !#s nt the !hle
st%y. In the f%e"in" I h#-e &sed the te%(s ' c%e#tin ' #nd '
c%e#ti-ity ' in the )%#d sense in !hich creation ex nihilo is the
(de f c%e#ti-ity $%$e% t Ad, !hile c%e#t&%es $#%tici$#te in this
nly in thei% !n (de #s secnd#%y c#&ses #ctin" t $e%fect the
existing &ni-e%se.