The influence of Darwin on theory of knowledge and philosophy.

Under the headings of ' instrumental' and • genetic' logic 2 the evolution theory has worked its way into the discussion of the higher processes of thought.The theory that thought is an instrument for dealing with social and practical situations -for solving problems of adjustment and truth -has given to discussions of knowledge and reality a new and vital interest.All knowledge remains experimental until it is confirmed, and it can be confirmed only by a resort to trial in the domain of its appropriate application.This leads up to two very important positions in the newer logic: a view as to the nature of truth on the one hand, and a view on the other hand as to the nature of the ' laws of thought,' the so-called categories or ' schemes,' in which the mind builds up and systematizes its acquisitions.The theory of truth becomes either one of extreme ' Pragmatism ' or one at least of ' Instrumentalism.'Instrumentalism holds that all truth is tentatively arrived at and experimentally verified.The method of knowledge is the now familiar Darwinian procedure of ' trial and error.'The thinker, whether working in the laboratory with things or among the products of his own imaginative thought, tries out hypotheses ; and only by trying out hypotheses does he establish truth.Here Darwinism gives support to the empiricism of Hume and Mill and forwards the sober British philosophical tradition.And no one illustrates better than Darwin, in his own scientific method, the soberness, caution, and soundness of this procedure.