The great question for the world now, and the one on which its whole future depends, is, will the lost faith ever be recovered? 205

The answer to this will probably have to be decisive, one way or the other 206

CHAPTER IX.

THE LOGIC OF SCIENTIFIC NEGATION.

What gives the denials of positivism their general weight, is the impression that they represent reason 208

They are supported by three kinds of arguments:  physical, moral, and historical 209

The two first bear upon all religion; the latter only on special revelations 210

Natural religion is the belief in God, immortality, and the possibility of miracles generally 210

Physical science prefers to destroy natural religion by its connection of mind with matter 210

1st.  Making conscious life a function of the brain. 2nd.  Evolving the living organisms from lifeless matter. 3rd.  Making this material evolution automatic 210

Thus all external proofs of God are destroyed 212

And also of the soul’s immortality 213

External proof is declared to be the test of reality 213

And therefore all religion is set down as a dream 215

But we believe that proof is the test of reality, not because it is proved to be so, but because of the authority of those who tell us so 215

But it will be found that these men do not understand their own principle 216

And, that in what they consider their most important conclusions they emphatically disregard it 217

One or other, therefore, of their opinions is worthless—­their denial of religion or their affirmation of morality 219

But we shall see this more clearly in considering the question of consciousness and will 220

We shall see that, as far as science can inform us, man is nothing but an automaton 220

But the positive school are afraid to admit this 221

And not daring to meet the question, they make a desperate effort to confuse it 222

Two problems are involved in the matter:  1st.  How is brain action connected with consciousness 223