Summary

As its title implies, Chapter 8 is a relatively short chapter consisting solely of an argument between MacIan and Turnbull. The two men have been walking all night since the events at the Valencourt Arms, and talking for just as long. MacIan says to Turnbull that he is beginning to understand one or two of his dogmas, although all of the dogmas he has come to understand he still disagrees with.

MacIan criticizes Turnbull as a “free-thinker” because all free-thinkers do is tear down and dispute the work of the free-thinkers who have come before them. In no way is free-thought progressive, he argues. The only two institutions that are interested in progress and growth are, ironically, physical science and the Catholic Church. He goes on to say that religion is a constant in humanity, while free-thought comes and goes like...