Illustrations of a Law of Evolution of Thought [pp. 373-393]

1ILLUSTRATIONS OF A LAW OF EVOLUTION OF
THOUGHT.
N reflecting on the history of the changes through which the
scientific theories of some special phenomena of nature have
successively passed, I have been led to the recognition of what
I believe to be a law of development of thought on such special
,subjects. I wish now if possible to trace this law throughout
the whole realm of thought and of human activity based
thereon, and thus to show that it is a general law of the evolu'tion of thought.
The special examples which I shall select in order to estab.lish the law in the first instance, and before extending it, will be
taken from the field of geological science, because I more constantly reflect upon these; but similar examples might be taken
from any department of natural science. My object, then, more
.specifically stated, will be first to show the nature of the philosophic relation which exists between the earlier and the later
.and more perfect theories on these special subjects and the law
which underlies this relation; second, to show that the same
law controls the relation between the earlier and later general
theories of the great departments of science; and -finally, that the
same law is traceable with more or less distinctness also in the
general evolution of society and the progress of philosophic
thought.
Many would doubtless prefer the reverse or deductive order
of presentation. Many would first state the law and then illus— trate and verify it by application to many subjects both general
,and special; but I prefer the order stated above. I prefer to
proceed from the special to the general, because I believe the
..inductive order to be far more satisfactory and reliable, and also