The Relations of Moral Philosophy to Speculation Concerning the Origin of Man [pp. 288-302]

THE PRINCE TON RE VIEW.
It is, indeed, suggested, by way of aiding an Evolutiorn
theory in its attempts to pass over these barriers, that the
opposition encountered is a merely sentimental one. There is
in this suggestion much truth, but no science. As long as men
have their convictions unshaken they must retain the appropriate
sentiments. It is, therefore, an argument unfavorable to the
intellectual power of the evidence for the Evolution theory of
the origin of man, that the sentimental dislike of the theory
continues so powerful. There is a logic of sentiment; and those
who would attempt to overthrow a powerful human sentiment
should betake themselves to the logic of facts. An attack upon
sentiment as such is foolish, for as long as convictions retain
their hold the accompanying sentiment must flourish. If convictions lose sway, the sentiment dependent upon them will die
a natural death. Frequent allusions to sentimental dislike by
upholders of an Evolution theory only suggest that the evidence for the theory in so far as its application to man is concerned is neither clear nor conclusive. And besides, an Evolution theory dependent largely on laws of association should be
most ready to recognize the power of sentimental likes and dislikes.
In this connection it is well to observe what is the nature
and range of evidence required. To suggest that in the manlike apes, such as the chimpanzee, orang, and gorilla, we have
the link of connection between man and the lower orders of
animals, may be in some respects very helpful for the theory,
as aiding the imagination in its attempt to construct a general
scheme of existence, and determining a line of inquiry. But in
other respects the suggestion is anything but helpful. If it
carries our observation nearer to animal life and to imaginable
modifications of organism, it carries it disagreeably near to,
brute life of an exceedingly low type, and far away from the
grand characteristics of man. There are very many animals.
which awaken human interest much more easily and pleasantly
than apes. Hence the antagonism of sentiment against which
evolutionists have been constrained to cry out. But the real
point to be remarked is the value of the evidence obtained
by study of the nature of apes when brought into comparisorn
with human nature. The ape's likeness to man in outward con
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