第 3 节
作者:寻找山吹      更新:2021-02-18 23:57      字数:9322
  have originated; in consequence of the law of heredity and fitness;
  in the course of an interminably long timeis no solution at all;
  but merely a re…statement of the problem in a new form。
  According to Moses' solution of the question (in the dispute with
  whom the entire significance of this theory lies); it appears that
  the diversity of the species of living creatures proceeded according
  to the will of God; and according to His almighty power; but
  according to the theory of evolution; it appears that the difference
  between living creatures arose by chance; and on account of varying
  conditions of heredity and surroundings; through an endless period
  of time。  The theory of evolution; to speak in simple language;
  merely asserts; that by chance; in an incalculably long period of
  time; out of any thing you like; any thing else that you like may
  develop。
  This is no answer to the problem。  And the same problem is
  differently expressed:  instead of will; chance is offered; and the
  co…efficient of the eternal is transposed from the power to the
  time。  But this fresh assertion strengthened Comte's assertion。
  And; moreover; according to the ingenuous confession of the founder
  of Darwin's theory himself; his idea was aroused in him by the law
  of Malthus; and he therefore propounded the theory of the struggle
  of living creatures and people for existence; as the fundamental law
  of every living thing。  And lo! only this was needed by the throng
  of idle people for their justification。
  Two insecure theories; incapable of sustaining themselves on their
  feet; upheld each other; and acquired the semblance of stability。
  Both theories bore with them that idea which is precious to the
  crowd; that in the existent evil of human societies; men are not to
  blame; and that the existing order of things is that which should
  prevail; and the new theory was adopted by the throng with entire
  faith and unheard…of enthusiasm。  And behold; on the strength of
  these two arbitrary and erroneous hypotheses; accepted as dogmas of
  belief; the new scientific doctrine was ratified。
  Spencer; for example; in one of his first works; expresses this
  doctrine thus:…
  〃Societies and organisms;〃 he says; 〃are alike in the following
  points:…
  〃1。  In that; beginning as tiny aggregates; they imperceptibly grow
  in mass; so that some of them attain to the size of ten thousand
  times their original bulk。
  〃2。  In that while they were; in the beginning; of such simple
  structure; that they can be regarded as destitute of all structure;
  they acquire during the period of their growth a constantly
  increasing complication of structure。
  〃3。  In that although in their early; undeveloped period; there
  exists between them hardly any interdependence of parts; their parts
  gradually acquire an interdependence; which eventually becomes so
  strong; that the life and activity of each part becomes possible
  only on condition of the life and activity of the remaining parts。
  〃4。  In that life and the development of society are independent;
  and more protracted than the life and development of any one of the
  units constituting it; which are born; grow; act; reproduce
  themselves; and die separately; while the political body formed from
  them; continues to live generation after generation; developing in
  mass in perfection and functional activity。〃
  The points of difference between organisms and society go farther;
  and it is proved that these differences are merely apparent; but
  that organisms and societies are absolutely similar。
  For the uninitiated man the question immediately presents itself:
  〃What are you talking about?  Why is mankind an organism; or similar
  to an organism?〃
  You say that societies resemble organisms in these four features;
  but it is nothing of the sort。  You only take a few features of the
  organism; and beneath them you range human communities。  You bring
  forward four features of resemblance; then you take four features of
  dissimilarity; which are; however; only apparent (according to you);
  and you thence conclude that human societies can be regarded as
  organisms。  But surely; this is an empty game of dialectics; and
  nothing more。  On the same foundation; under the features of an
  organism; you may range whatever you please。  I will take the fist
  thing that comes into my head。  Let us suppose it to be a forest;
  the manner in which it sows itself in the plain; and spreads abroad。
  1。 Beginning with a small aggregate; it increases imperceptibly in
  mass; and so forth。  Exactly the same thing takes place in the
  fields; when they gradually seed themselves down; and bring forth a
  forest。  2。 In the beginning the structure is simple:  afterwards it
  increases in complication; and so forth。  Exactly the same thing
  happens with the forest;in the first place; there were only bitch…
  trees; then came brush…wood and hazel…bushes; at first all grow
  erect; then they interlace their branches。  3。 The interdependence
  of the parts is so augmented; that the life of each part depends on
  the life and activity of the remaining parts。  It is precisely so
  with the forest;the hazel…bush warms the tree…boles (cut it down;
  and the other trees will freeze); the hazel…bush protects from the
  wind; the seed…bearing trees carry on reproduction; the tall and
  leafy trees afford shade; and the life of one tree depends on the
  life of another。  4。 The separate parts may die; but the whole
  lives。  Exactly the case with the forest。  The forest does not mourn
  one tree。
  Having proved that; in accordance with this theory; you may regard
  the forest as an organism; you fancy that you have proved to the
  disciples of the organic doctrine the error of their definition。
  Nothing of the sort。  The definition which they give to the organism
  is so inaccurate and so elastic that under this definition they may
  include what they will。  〃Yes;〃 they say; 〃and the forest may also
  be regarded as an organism。  The forest is mutual re…action of
  individuals; which do not annihilate each other;an aggregate; its
  parts may also enter into a more intimate union; as the hive of bees
  constitutes itself an organism。〃  Then you will say; 〃If that is so;
  then the birds and the insects and the grass of this forest; which
  re…act upon each other; and do not destroy each other; may also be
  regarded as one organism; in company with the trees。〃  And to this
  also they will agree。  Every collection of living individuals; which
  re…act upon each other; and do not destroy each other; may be
  regarded as organisms; according to their theory。  You may affirm a
  connection and interaction between whatever you choose; and;
  according to evolution; you may affirm; that; out of whatever you
  please; any other thing that you please may proceed; in a very long
  period of time。
  And the most remarkable thing of all is; that this same identical
  positive science recognizes the scientific method as the sign of
  true knowledge; and has itself defined what it designates as the
  scientific method。
  By the scientific method it means common…sense。
  And common…sense convicts it at every step。  As soon as the Popes
  felt that nothing holy remained in them; they called themselves most
  holy。
  As soon as science felt that no common…sense was left in her she
  called herself sensible; that is to say; scientific science。
  CHAPTER III。
  Division of labor is the law of all existing things; and; therefore;
  it should be present in human societies。  It is very possible that
  this is so; but still the question remains; Of what nature is that
  division of labor which I behold in my human society? is it that
  division of labor which should exist?  And if people regard a
  certain division of labor as unreasonable and unjust; then no
  science whatever can convince men that that should exist which they
  regard as unreasonable and unjust。
  Division of labor is the condition of existence of organisms; and of
  human societies; but what; in these human societies; is to be
  regarded as an organic division of labor?  And; to whatever extent
  science may have investigated the division of labor in the cells of
  worms; all these observations do not compel a man to acknowledge
  that division of labor to be correct which his own sense and
  conscience do not recognize as correct。  No matter how convincing
  may be the proofs of the division of labor of the cells in the
  organisms studied; man; if he has not parted with his judgment; will
  say; nevertheless; that a man should not weave calico all his life;
  and that this is not division of labor; but persecution of the
  people。  Spencer and others say that there is a whole community of
  weavers; and that the profession of weaving is an organic division
  of labor。  There are weavers; so; of course; there is such a
  division of labor。  It would be well enough to speak thus if the
  colony of weavers had arisen by the free will of its member's; but
  we know that it is not thus formed of their initiative; but that we
  make it。  Hence it is necessary to find out whether we have made
  these weavers in accordance with an organic law; or with some other。
  Men live。  They support themselves by agriculture; as is natural to
  all men。  One man ha