The Natural Theology of Evolution

Originally published in 1915, The Natural Theology of Evolution looks at the concept of natural theology, examining the argument for the existence of God based on reason and ordinary experiences of nature. The book looks at natural theology in light of Darwin's theory of evolution, and how this important discovery affected belief in intelligent design. The book argues that the discovery of evolution, far from diminishing the existence of God, provides stronger proof for an intelligently designed earth and therefore the existence of God. This book provides a unique and interesting take on the debates surrounding evolution in the late 19th and early 20th century. It will be of interest to philosophers, historians of religion and natural historians alike.

Part I: A Common-sense Argument 1. The Common-sense View 2. Paley's Common-sense View 3. The Implications of the Common-sense View 4. The State of the Argument 5. The Question About Evolution 6. What Chance Variation May Do 7. What Chance Variation Cannot Do 8. Creative Evolution Note to Part I: Mendelism and Mutationism Part II: A More Abstract or Philosophical Argument 9. Necessity 10. Chance 11. Unlimited Chance 12. Infinite Numbers 13. The Chance-Plus-Order Series 14. Natural Groups and Series Part III: The Application of the Argument 15. The Fertilisation of the Cuckoo-Pint and of the Aristolochia 16. The Fertilisation of Orchids 17. The Eye 18. An Insectivorous Plant 19. A Bird's Flight 20. The Pecten's Eye 21. The Asymmetry of the Plaice 22. Instinct Part IV: Objections Considered Some Objections