THE DARWINIAN CONCEPTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 November 1927, Page 8

THE DARWINIAN CONCEPTION

VALIDITY DENIED MAN AND Hls CREATION ' Man, as a human entity, is anything but. satisfied with his particular environment, and tho constant aspirations. of his soul bring him wider and wider apart from the instinctive- cravings of the animal. Man developed self-consciousness right at the beginning (A his separate creation, and he not only finds it possible to distinguish his superiority over all animals but lie lias been able to discover his correct place in the universe. Man can identify himself with his Creator!”- —(Mr James Corbett, in the"“Contemporary Review.”

It is an interesting coincidence that .Mr James Corbett’s article on ‘ The Higher-Scientific Aspect of the Mind” in the “Contemporary Review,” should be-published at a time when so much attention is being devoted to Sir Arthur Keith’s address at the .British Association meeting, for Mr Corbett touches on the Darwinian theory from quite a different standpoint; We can but quote a small section of this notable paper.

“It is even logical to .ask if man. has two separate mentalities,” Mr James Corbett asserts following his lengthy introduction and the remarks quoted above. “The reflection might at first bo waived aside as absurd, yet reflection and deeper thought will convince us we are wrong. The brain, for instance is an attribute of the mind, but we cannot regard the mind ns an agent of tho,brain. The mind is psychical; the brain is purely'physical. THE, BRAIN "AND THE MIND ‘But being handicapped in a finite sense by the flesh, we cannot do with: out. the brain, nor the grey and white matter composing it, but it is a mistake to imagine that all our reasoning powers come through the media of tho brain. To be candid, the brain is purely functionary. It carries through the dictates of the mind, it translates the language of mind into the vehicle of thought, but before thought takes expression in brain form, the mind, has already conceived both, the thought and idea. “When the thought is conveyed to the brain, the physical attributes of this organ, act like telegraph wires '; tho idea is sent out along different physical channels. And the. psychic element of the mind is transfused into the materialism of physical thought. The brain is the. tunnel of the mind, and becomes, inoperative without the command of the' mind.. If the brain is so material, how;, then can it .become the instrument of something 'so .spiritual as mind as we conceive it? But when we look at a great- painting, or listen to the words of some wonderful oratorio, the manifestation of beauty is found neither in canvas nor in words, but merely, through the media- of these agents, and in this sense the brain is but the agent of the mind'!'

“It is a fundamental error to conceive of the brain and the mind as a single unit, for the brain dies at the decomposition of physical matter; while the mind lives on. As a matter of truth, we know on a physiological basis that the brain is entirely changed every seven, years, and any physiologist will inform us that 'every segment of Wain matter, every corpuscle, every .drop of blond is entirely changed within this definite period of time.

. RECON'CILE THE MEMORY “Then Row do we reconcile this wonderful physical phenomenon with memory and mind? That is,., we know that a man of seventy can frequently recall what happened to- him when lie was only ' seven, which indubitably proves that the mechanistic and evolutionary theory of the mind is all moonshine! The brain, it i» true, may proceed from sensation to perception and from perception to conception, but the original dynamic of all these physical factors.is found in the mind; which is ,neither transitory nor ephemeral, but eternal in essence , “This paper,- is not i.ntended to be a deliberate attack on the recognised principles of evolution, but'it. denies the validity of the Darwinian conception with regard to human creation. If we have really descended from the animal state, no professor has ever informed us how he-arrives at that deduction. . . “We are Inclined to ask, in the. most, rational manner, if we are justified in relying upon one absolute law of evolution? Does the entry of man upon the great stage of creation represent a de-

finite break in the continuity of evolution? Do we perceive in the psychical nature, and composition of man something to justify the belief that there may be a, psychical law of evolution in addition to the recognised physical law? .Man is a spiritual unit from The beginning of creation. Does this i mean that instinct and mind formed a junction at the dawn of human genesis? If Science will agree to the postulate of a Supremo Being, it is difficult to limit the Author of Creation to one distinct la-vv of evolution. “Or do tho two laws of evolution to which we refer, psychic and physical, merge into a third evolutionary principle. when man denies that.the animal is his natural prototype? If there is only one rigid law of continuity in the agelong chain of evolution, how can we explain that every animal but man is content with a natural environment? Why is man, alone of the evolutionary species, subject to these passionate desires of hi,s psychic nature, and Avhy lias no scientist been able to harmonise this psychic element in some human quality that will liot refute the recognised law of evolution? . . . • A FORCE IN HISTORY

“Evolution, of course, has proved a vital force in history, and tho greatest intellectual treat is to trace, step by step, the wonderful progress of evolution right down tho ages. Yet, when we enter the demesne of human destiny. when we introduce the human ego and attempt to show that there is no vital dissimilarity between mftn and the animal species, then, in the last analysis, the chain of reasoning breaks down, simply because the links in the theory of evolution are not complete, “After all', there is no shame in being a .traditionalist,, and it is not a case', of being laughed At by. certain materialist's for our amazing' ignorance. It is simply because,., for the present, the mystery of our genesis is unfathomable, and all the biologists that evep lived-have never been able to make it otherwise. 'And TUm inclined to the view of the writer who maintains that, when we rule out the supernatural and the miraculous, we are not merely dislodging the foundations of religion, but we are destroying faith —and we cannot afford to destroy faith. "Man cannot soar to any great moral or spiritual height if he is hound hand and' foot to an animal prototype,” Mr James Corbett says in conclusion,, “or if lie is tied to the conviction that he is only ar: advanced snecimen of the animal species, and continually to postulate that man is an animal has a- degrading influence upon the human soul. But when, we convince a man that his individuality is separate and distinct from that of the animal, then his mentality leaps to a higher-dimension, and we make him understand, once and for all time, that he is not eternally allied to the brute forces of creation.

THE GRAND MARCH WITH HIS OWN SOUL

“Man is highly sensitive about bis definite allocation in the scheme of creation, and merely to regard him, in his 'best moments, as a kind of superior brute'is to place an exceedingly low estimate upon Kis finer spiritual powers, and tends both to lower and to degrade his ethical sense of' value's. When the ethical sense i.s .fully developed to a high spiritual range. then lie throws overboard all those materialistic fallacies about,'a "brute' genesis, and lie goes forward on the grand march ivith his own soul.” ,

Mrs Newlywed (shopping for the first time): “Yes, I’ll lake that chicken. You might please send it in time for dinner.’’ Poultry dealer: “Trussed; ma’am?” Mrs Newlywed (indignantly): “Certainly not, sir!.*You know perfectly well we always pay cash.”

Broadcasting Quartet, “The Hunting Song,” (Benedict). 8.26: Tenor solo, Mr Russell Sunnier, “Mistress Mine” (Quiller). 8.30: Instrumental trios, Chrislchurcli Broadcasting Trio, (a) i'Avo Maria” (Gounod), (b) “Turkish ftondo” (Mozart), (c) and (d) selected. 8.43: Contralto solo, iMiss Belle Rerisiut,

“OH to Market Johnny” (Humphries). 8.46: Vocal duet, Miss Frances Mamertoti and Mr Russell Sumner, “You Swear to bo good and I rue” (Collier). 8.50. Instrumental trio, Qhristchurch' Broadcasting Trio, “Souvenir de Sorrento” (Severne). 8.55: Humorous songs at piano, Miss K. Doherty, (a) “I’m tickled to death I’m single." (b) “The Egg.” 9.2: Relay of .orchestral selections from Everybody’s Theatre. 9,15: Bass solo, Mr 'I. -D. Williams, “Gee Wup Bosses” (Smith). 9.19: Contralto eulu, Miss Belle Renaut, “Danny Boy” j Weatherley). ( 9-23: Tenor solo, Mr Russell Sumner, “Linden Lea” (Wil- - solos and chorus, Miss Frances Hamerton and chorus, “They all follow mo” (Kerker). 9.32: Contralto solo, -Miss Belle Renaut, “My Lindy Lou” (Strickland). 9.36: Relay of orchestral music from Olympia Show. 9.46: Humorous song and monologue, Miss K. Doherty, (a) “I had, a tiny Garden”, (h) “And Yet l don’t Know.” 5.52 : Tenor and bass-duet, Messrs Russell Sumner and T. 1). Williams, “.Excelsior (Bail'd). 9.57: Soprano solo, Miss Frances Hamerton, “.Morning Song’ (Quiller). 10.0: Soprano and tonoi;.duet. Miss Frances llapierlon and Mr Russell ,Sumner, “When we are married” (Kerker). 10.3: Instrumental trios, 'Christchurch , Broadcasting Trio, (a) Selected; (b) “Prelude in C sharp minor” (Rachmaninoff), (c) “The Doll Dance.” 10.7: God Save the King.

IYA AUCKLAND .(333 METRES) 3 to 4.30 p.m.: ■ Afternoon session. Selected studio items. 6 to 7: Children’s hour. 7.15 to* 7.45: News and reports. 8.0: Chimes. 8.1: Relay of orchestral overture from Rialto Theatre. Henry 0, Engel, conductor. ' 8.12: So-' piano solo, Mrs Cyril Toyvsey, “When All Was Young” from “Faust,” Gounod. 8.17 : -Saxophone solos:,' Miss Marjorie Greening, {a) -“Fox-trot- Medley” ; (b) selected. 8.25: Piano solo, Mr Cyril To\yiey, “MwnJigh,t,.-Sonataßeethov* en. 8.32: Baritone solo, Mr Frank Sutherland, “Shipmates o’ Mine,” Sanderson. 8.37: Humour, Mr J. A. Sharp, humour. 8.43: Instrumental, (Mrs Robertson’s Trio, (a) “Swedish Folk Song,” Svendon; (b) “Menuet,” Haydn. 8.51: Duet, Miss I. Thomson and Mrs (Towsey, “When Song is Sweet,” Chappell. 8.56: Relay of musical interlude frenn Majestic Theatre. 9.6: Weather forecast. 9.7: Contralto solo, Miss I. Thompson, “0, Thou that Tellest,” Handel. 9.12: Piano solo, All* C. Towsey, “Prelude and Fugue,” Bach. 9.19: Duet, Miss Thomson and Mrs C. Towpey, “Sink, Red Sun,” Del Riego. 9.24: Saxophone solo, -Miss M. Greening, popular numbers. 9:29 : Relay of musical entr’Adte from - Majestic , Theatre. 9.40: Baritone solo, Mr F: Sutherland,, (a).'.“Driimadoon,”-Sandergop; (b) “Son of Mine,” Wallace. 9.48: Humour, Mr J. Sharp, more , humour. 9.54: Instrumental, Mrs Robertson’s Trio, “March Militaive,” Schubert. 9.59: A thought. 10.0: God Save the King.

2YA WELLINGTON (420 -METRES) 11.30 a.m. : Subject suitable conditions rob'roadcast 3YA Christchurch, in Carnival Week. Races' interspersed with selected gramophone item's. 5.0: Close down. 6.0: Children’s session. (Entertainment by the Wellington -Harmonic Society—Folk s'ong, the choir, “TJie Farmer’s Daughter”, Williams; folk song, the choir, “King Arthur,” Robertson; Shanty Male Voices, “What Shall W r e do 'With the Drunken Sailor?”,Te'm r ; solo, Mrs -W. J. Coventry, “The Bailiff’s Daughter; folk songs, the choir, “John Grunlie,” Robertson, “Ricliard of Taunton Dene,” "Williams; quartet harmonic, “The Ash Grove,” Branscombe; folk songs, the choir, “The Laird of Cockpen,”' Robertson, “Irish Tune from Couhtjy Deny,” Grainger, “I’m Seventeen Come Sunday,” Grainger. 7.0: News session, market- reports and sporting results. 7.40: Lecturette, ;Mr W. King, D.E.B.A.

“Esperanto.” 8.0: Chimes of the General Post Office clock, Wellington. 8.1 : March, J?t Battalion Wellington RegiWe'nt, “On Tour” (V. White). 8.6: Tenor solo, Mv Harry Phipps, “Laugh and Sing” (Drummond). 8.10: Selection, 7th Battalion Wellington Regiment, “Yar Und Yimmerman” (.Lortzing). 8.18 : Quartet (Lyric Quartet), (a) “Foresters, Sound the Horn” (Bishop);' (b) “Every Rustliqg Tree’,’ (Kahlan). 8.23 : Valse, Ist 'Battalion Militaire Wellington Regiment,' “The Grenadiers” (Rimmer). 8.29: Baritone, Mr Will Goudie,' “The Stoker” (Arvmdale). 8.35: Foxtrot, Ist Battalion Wellington Regiment, “Humming” (Manuel. Bilton). 8.52: Fantasia, Ist Battalion Wellington Regiment, “La Traviata” (Verdi). 9.0: Weather report. 9,1: Lecturetle, Mr Arch. Saiulo, of “The Dominion.” Subject, “The Home of 2YA—Retrospect ,of Wellington.” 9.17‘ Reverie, Ist Battalion Wellington, Regiment. “Bells at 'Sunset” (McKenzie). 9.23: Quartet, Lyric Quartet,. “Pussy’s ,in the Well” (Herbert). 9.28: Intermezzo, Ist Battalion Wellington Regiment,” “Rosebuds’” (Ord Hume). 9.34: Bass, Mr ■W. Biuet Brown, “Reuben Ranzo”. 9.40: Tenor, Mr George Howe. “Mountain Lovers” . (Squire). 9.43: Selection, Ist Battalion Wellington Regiment, “Gc)'den Cross” (Greenwood). 9.54: Quartet, Lyric Quartet, “Soldier’s Farewell” (Kinkel). 9.59: March, Ist Battalion Wellington Regiment, “The Aidc-de-C'amp”.

4YA DUNEDIN (463 METRES) 7 p.m., Town Hall chimes. 7.1: Request gramophone recital. 8.0: Town Hall chimes. Special programme for dancing by the Kapai Dance Band and assisting artists. 8.1: One-steps, Kapai Dance' Band, (a) “Hello, Bluebird” ; (b) “What’s the Use of Crying?” 8.7 : Baritone solos, Mr J-. Clarke, (a) “Bedouin Love Soiig,” Pinsuti; (b) selected. 8.13: One-steps, Kapai Dance Band, (a) “Mary Lou” ; .(b) “Idolising.” 8.19 :. Violin solo, Mr .Dagg, “Serenade,” Schubert. 8.23: Quadrilles, By the Kapai Dance: Band. 8.30: Saxophone , solo, Mr M. Horn, “,0, Star of. Eve” from, “Tanniiauser,” Wagner. 8.34.: Waltzes, Kapiii Dance Band, (iij “Paradise in Mother’s Eyes”; (b) “So Blue,” 8.40: Soprano solos. Miss Marie Tucker, (a) “The Star,” Roger; (b) “Pale Moon,” Logap. 8.45: Address, by Rev. H. E. Bdlhouse,.. “The League' of Naticne.” 9.0: .Baritone solos, Mr, J. Clark, (a) “Five-and-Twenty Sailor. Men,” C. Taylor.; (b) “Muleteer of Malagar,” Trotere, 9.6: Fox-lrots,. Kapai Dance Band, (a), “Blue Skies"; (b) “Mamma’s Gone Young.” 9.12: Cornet solo 1 , Mr R. Shannon, selected. 9.16: D’Alberts, By Kapai Dance Band, “Old Airs.” 9.28: Soprano solo, 'Miss 31. Tucker, “Wait,” d’Hardelot. 9.34: Medley selection, Kapai Dance Band, “Wartime Melodies.” 9.40: Violin solo. Mr D. Dagg. “Souvenir.” Drdla. 9.45: Saxophone solo, Mr M. Horn, selected. 9.50: One-steps, Kapai Dance Band, (a) “My Outie's. Due” ; (b) “Baby Face.” 10.0: Close'down.