National Republican., 1883-12-10
THE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.
A Paper on the ISinomatlc Hypothesis by
the Chief OF tho Geological survey.

the Chiof OF tho Geological survey.
DIR. J. w. Powell of the United states
geological survey, and president of the Philo-
sophical society of this city, delivered his
annual address before tho members and
friends of that society Saturday night. in the
hall Of the national museum. The attendance
was large, and many distinguished people
were in the audience Tho lecturer an
nounced as his subject "The Three Methods OF
Evolution" He said that in tho early his
tory of research attention was chiefly given
TO tho phenomena of coexistence In late
years the phenomena Of sequence nave re-
CCiyed the larger share of attention, ana that
the investigation of these has led 10
long series of important discoveries, resulting
in formulating the nebular, atomic, and de-
volopment of life hypothesis. The nebuiar
theory is n supposition of astronomic 'eVolu-
tiOn, the atomic of chemical, and the develop
ment of life of the biologis These represent
the three classes of phenomena, constituting
three Kingdoms of matter, and representinE
three stages of evolution. Tho kincmatic
hypothesis was briefly mentioned. He ex-
planned 1t to bo tho theory Of persistent mo-
tion, and reasoned how 1t was reached by
various methods, from the so.cnlled forces
gravity, affinity, and magnetsm-and that
these could also bc derived from that source.
This hypothesis could also bo reached by an
inductive process, as also the hypothesis OF an
ether. Both arc identical, the first is stated
in terms of motions, the second in terms OF
matter. Closely connected is tho ncbular
theory. He could not in u single lecture as
semble data upon which the theory rests.
He only attempted to characterize tho pro-
cesscs of inductive reasoning by which the
hypothesis is reached.
If tho kinematc hypothesis should bo de-
monstrated it would be a veritable explana-
tion. The dynamic is no explanation. This
fact was briefly analyzed by exhibiting man
from the beginning of time through successive
ages--his thoughts, methods, and acts broadly
grouped in classes in the mythc, metaphysic,
and scientific opinion. These divisions were
explained and illustrated mt length, and the
point made was that the kinematist uses at
traction" as synonym for 'gravitation,"
while the dymatist uses 1t as verbal ex-
planation of gravitation.
Matter in its inorganic, organic, superior
ganc combination underwent thorough re-
search--diflerent modes Of motion. Its rela-
tions to combination were noted in the min
eral, biotic (plants and animals), and an
thropic (arts institutions, languages, aud
opinions) kingdoms. The order of evolution
was pointed out by the change in combina-
tion of matter and in mode of motion. In
the mineral world changes are in direction by
combination, in relative quantity by trans
mission, in mode Of motion through transmu-
tation, and IN the combination OF
modes of motion. In the biotic the same
are to be found but tothem are added changes
in the transmutations of motion. In the an
thropic kingdom all the changes In the other
kingdoms appear, together with those in the
composition of activities. The question
of evolution was considered in detail. The
lecturer defined it from his standpoint as pro-
gress in systemization. Care must be taken
to note that not all changes are progressive
some are retrogressive. 1t is only tho pro-
gressive changes that are called evolution;
retrogressive are decay. Evolution WAS again
defined as progress in differentiation by the
establishment of unlike parts and in the in
tegration of these parts by the establishment
of interdependence. Dissolution is retrogres-
sion by the lapsing Of indignation through the
destruction of interdspendence and the laps
ing of differentiation through the loss of hete-
rogeneity in parts. The doctrine of evolution
in the kingdoms spoken of were defined.
First, that physical evolution is the result of di
rect adaptation of environment under the law
that motion Is in the direction of least resist
ance. Second, biatic evolution is the result Of
indirect adaptation to the environment by
the survival of the fttest in the struggle for
existence. Third, anthropic evolution Is the
result of the exercise of human faculties in
activities designed to increase happiness,
and through which the environment is
adapted to manor, in fewer words, through
odnptation-by survival of the fittest and by
,sndc,lvor. The lecture ended with bcauti-
NIul tribute to man., =, ,2bru1 ,-a,-ay