"I suppose that everyone is familiar in outline with the theory of the
origin of species which Darwin promulgated. Through the last fifty
years this theme of the natural selection of favored races has been
developed and expounded in writings innumerable. Favored races certainly
can replace others. The argument is sound, but we are doubtful of
its value. For us that debate stands adjourned. We go to Darwin
for his incomparable collection of facts. We would fain emulate his
scholarship, his width and his power of exposition, but to us he speaks
no more with philosophical authority. We read his scheme of evolution
as we would those of Lucretius or of Lamarck, delighting in their
simplicity and courage." "Modern research lends not the smallest encouragement
or sanction to the view that gradual evolution occurs by the transformation
of masses of individuals, though that fancy has fixed itself on popular
imagination."
-- William Bateson,
-- Address of the President of the British Association
-- for the Advancement of Science, August 14, 1914
For the moment at least, the Darwinian period is pa we can no
longer enjoy the comfortable assurance, which once satisfied so many
of us, that the main problem has been solved - all is again in the
melting pot....
