Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 81:324 (Oct 1924)
Article: The Evolution Of The Mind Of Man
Author: Parke P. Flournoy

BSac 81:324 (Oct 1924) p. 410

The Evolution Of The Mind Of Man

Parke P. Flourney

I have no intention of discussing the theory of the evolution of the human mind, by many stages, through many aeons, from the fire-dust of the first nebulae, nor of evolution in material nature, whether atheistic, pantheistic, or Theistic. For such treatment of this theory, which those capable of thinking seriously know to be the burning question of our time, I frankly acknowledge my incompetence. I wish to take a view many aeons later. I only wish to ask whether or not, within the range of the actual existence of the mind of man on this earth, it has been the subject of evolution, by a force within itself, and without help from outside itself.

It is clear to all that the knowledge of man, and especially his knowledge of, and control over, certain powers of nature has increased, since we have had reliable records of the intelligent actions of the human mind; and it is known to our boys and girls even, that within the short period of their lives, there has been an almost miraculous leap forward in the progress of man’s knowledge of the powers of nature and of the use and control of some of them.

We may take the progress of Mind during the time which is clearly known, in its knowledge of only one of the many forces in matter which is felt, seen and heard by us—electricity. Man has known something of it ever since he saw the first flash of lightning and heard the first roll of thunder. But we also know of thinking men who have observed some of the effects of electricty near at hand, and applied their minds to the investigation of the phenomena of electrical activities.

Thales, 600 B. C, one of the most eminent of Greek philosophers, who made a life-long study of the universe, applied his mind to the investigation of the phenomena of electricity, as well as of other forces in nature. Like the Babylonian Magi of old, he also studied the wonders of the heavens, and is said to have predicted eclipses.

BSac 81:324 (Oct 1924) p. 411

But, of the later well recognized study of electricity in a scientific way, we have accurate information.

The man who gave the name to it was William Gilbert of Colchester, who lived through a large part of the reign of Henry VIII, and the whole of the reigns of Edward VI., Bloody Mary and Elizabeth, dying in the same year with the last, 1603. The Greek name for amber, the rubbing of which had long been known as exhibiting this force, is electron, and Gilbert named it electricity.

Sir Francis Bacon, Baron Verulam, Lord High Chancellor, in his Novum Organum, and other works, laid down those rules for scientific investigation, by whi...