Final Causes and Contemponeous Physiology (translated from the Revue des duex Mondes) [pp. 291-321]

1876.] FINAL CAUSES. 29L
Art. IV. - FINAL CAUSES AND CONTEMPORA NEOUS PHYSIOLOGY.*
The Works of Man and the Works of Nature.
~y M. PAUL JANET, Member of the Institute. Translated from the Eevue des deux
Monacs by ~VILLIAM ALLEN SMITH.
I.Harmonies ~roviden6ielles, par M. CH. LEvEQUE. II. Le~ns sur les
~ro~riite's des lissus vivans, par M. CLAUDE BERNARD. III. Be 1'a~ ~ro~riatton des ~arties organiques a' des acles de'terminjs, par M. CHARLEs
ROBIN.
FOR many centuries the existence of God has been proved
by the wonders of nature, or, in the language of philosophers,
by final causes. Fenelon, in a celebrated book, eloquently developed this argument; Cicero expounded it before him, and
in almost the same terms; still earlier Socrates, as Xenophon
tells us, furnished the first text, which Cicero and Fenelon developed; and though he seems to be the first philosopher who
used this argument, it is probable that popular good sense
had preceded him. In modern times many philosophers and
scholars have applied themselves to the study of final causes.t
This study has itself given birth to a complet~ science, Natural
Theology, which, in England, in Germany, in Holland, and in
Switzerland, has produced innumerable treatises, equally instructive and interesting. The most independent and daring
minds have not been able to escape the force of this argument.
Voltaire, notwithstanding the pleasantries of Candide, was very
fond of it, and his friends, the encyclopedists, called him, in jest,
the cause-finalier [final causer].
* The author of this article is well known as one of the best representatives of the
spintualist philosophy in France, and as one of the most skillful and sagacious oppo nents of positivism and materialism. Among his ablest works are a Treatise on
Ethics; a History of ~hilosoAhy; the History of Political Philosophy; the Diatectic~
of Plato; Era in and Thought. A complete treatise by him on the whole doctrine of
Final Causes is announced.
~ Final Cause, in the language of the schools, signifies end, aeszgn. The argu.
ment of final causes consists in saying that there are in nature ends, and means adapted
to these ends, and that this implies foresight and wisdom. The workman is known
by his work.
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