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THEORY OF EVOLUTION.
the World as Self-existent from eternity.
Of these three principal hypotheses, we have already dealt with the first—the Theory Difficulties
in conceiving of Self-existence. We are now to deal with the Theory of Evolution-the second of the three hypotheses : for some hold that the Universe cannot be conceived as Self-existent from all eternity; for 'to conceive existence through infinite past-time', to quote the language of Spencer, 'implies the conception of infinite past-time which is an impossibility'.—How far this argument of Spencer against the Self-existence of the Universe from all eternity stands to reason, we shall see later on. Suffice it to say here that because of this supposed difficulty amongst the many others in the theory of Selfexistence, some have been inclined to fall upon the Theory of Evolution and Mr. Spencer is the ablest exponent of this theory in modern times so far the Emperical School of European thought on the subject is concerned.
To consider, therefore, first, the theory of Evolution, we must begin with its definition. Theory of By evolution or development was meant pri- formulated
by Spencer. marily the gradual unfolding of a living germ
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Evolution as
