8

Logic II 8

less than the working out of a definite end. A final
cause may be conceived to operate without having been
the purpose of any mind: that supposed phenomenon goes by the name of
fate. The doctrine of evolution refrains from pronouncing
whether forms result by are simply fated ot whether they are
providential; but that definite ends are worked out
none of us today any longer deny. Our eyes have been
opened; and the evidence is too overwhelming. In regard
to natural objects, however, it may be said, in general, that
we do not know precisely what their final causes are.
But that need not that prevent us from ascertaining whether
or not there is a common cause which makes all
the members of a given class somehow to have by virtue of which those things that have the essential
characters of the class exist are enabled to exist?
Namely, the The manner of distribution of the class-character will show,
with a high degree of certainly, whether the class or not it is determinative
of existence. Take, for example, the character of having class of animals that have legs.