The Living Organism: An Introduction to the Problems of Biology (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

Excerpt from The Living Organism: An Introduction to the Problems of Biology

Security against these results must come about through care in the instruction of rudi ments. As far as the intellectual difiiculties of the rudiments will permit, a change in the pre valent attitude of the student towards them seems desirable. Too much is taken for granted. The problems and generalisations of the science of living objects are regarded too complacently by the beginner. He is too easily contented with description and narrative; and it may be mentioned that practical work in the laboratory is often little more than an aid in remembering description. That which is a mere statement or a collection of terms in a text-book does not become a course of reasoning because it is followed concretely in the laboratory. The dis section of typical organisms is not necessarily an intellectual exercise.

Moreover, since Biology as the science of living things deals with phenomena of which we all'have some kind of knowledge, its ideas lend themselves very readily to popular discussion. It has provided new terms and phrases for a public interested in novelty but impatient of study. Yet the common occurrence of such terms as Heredity and Natural Selection does not imply a widespread extension of scientific research. The respect shown for any generalisa tion of a chemical or physical nature affords a striking contrast to the confidence with which biological subjects are discussed. It would appear that the problems of inanimate Nature, the qualities and changes of matter, are to be left in the hands of experts who approach them after a rigorous training, while untrained judg ment may exercise itself over the mystery of life.

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