The Continuity of Physical Phenomena in Evolution
The “continuity” of physical phenomena, as illustrated by the late Sir William Grove in 1866, has the same general meaning, but evolution implies more than mere continuity or succession–something like growth or definite change from form to form under the action of unchangeable laws.
The point to be especially noted here is, that evolution, even if it is essentially a true and complete theory of the universe, can only explain the current conditions of nature by showing that it has been derived from some pre-current condition through the action of known forces and laws. It may also show the high probability of a similar derivation from a still earlier condition; but the further back we go the more uncertain must be our conclusions, while we can never make any real approach to the absolute beginnings of things. Herbert Spencer, and many other scientists before him, have shown that if we try to realize the absolute nature of the simplest phenomena, we are inevitably landed either in a contradiction or in some unthinkable proposition. Thus, suppose we ask, Is matter infinitely divisible, or is it not? If we say it is, we cannot think it out, since all infinity, however it may be stated in words, is really unthinkable.
If we say there is a limit–the ultimate atom–then, as all size is comparative, we can imagine a being to whom this atom seems as large as an apple or even a house does to us; and we then find it quite unthinkable that this mass of matter should be in its nature absolutely indivisible even by an infinite force. It implies that all theories of phenomena can only be partial theories. They can inform us of the last change or the last series of changes which brought about the actual conditions now current, and they can often enable us to predict future changes to some extent; but both the infinite past and the remote future are alike beyond our powers. Yet the theories that the theory of evolution gives us are none the less real and none the less important, especially when we compare its teachings with the wild guesses or the total ignorance of the scientists of earlier ages.
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