The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

HIGHER ORGANISMS. 205measure of success with which it explains ourown nature. That man stands highest in thescale of organism belonging to this world admitsof no doubt, therefore the explanationof human nature may be regarded as the supremeeffort of science. Around this subject,however, serious differences have arisenamong scientific men, but these differences donot concern the very simple question whetherall that belongs to nature comes within therange of the science of nature. This is grantedby all, whether there be a preference forincluding all such inquiry under the singlename of science, or for distinguishing betweenphysical science and mental philosophy. Thisis simply a matter of defining terms, and tracingthe boundaries of recognized departmentsof inquiry. But whether a continued studyof organism will conduct us to an adequateunderstanding of human nature, must be amatter of observation and inference. If itdo, science has completed its work. If it donot, there remains a still higher question, howshall tve account for features of life for whichorganism affords no scientific explanation ?The whole field is certainly free to science,and the whole task which this immense field