CHAPTER VI.

SPECULATIONS AS TO POSSIBILITY OF SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCES IN THE VISIBLE UNIVERSE.

Position of life in the present physical universe, 177 180

Two kinds of equilibrium, 178 181

Two kinds of machines or material systems, 179 182

Two respects in which a living being resembles a machine, 180 183

A living being resembles a delicately constructed machine, 181 185

The delicacy is due to chemical instability, 182 186

Delicacy of construction derived from the sun’s rays, 183 186

Delicacy of construction in atmospheric changes, 184 187

Worship of powers of nature—mediæval superstitions, 185 189

Theory which attributes a soul to the universe, 186 190

Real point at issue stated, 187 190

Man presents the highest order of the present visible universe, 188 191

The same idea pervades the Old Testament, 189 192

And it likewise pervades the New Testament, 190-191 193