第8章 宇宙の目的 n.5 - ホールデン教授の汎神論宇宙の目的説に関する汎神論的及び発現的形態は,このような反対(宇宙の目的に関する有神論的形態説に対するような反対)にさらされる度合は少ない。
この哲学によると,厳密に言うと「死んだ」物質というようなものは存在しないし,また,意識という性質を少しももたない生き物(living matter without something of the nature of consciousness)も存在しない。そうして,さらに一歩進めると,ある程度神的でない意識は存在しない。ホールデン教授は言及していないけれども,現象(仮象)と実在との区別 -それについては前章で手短に考察している- は,彼の見解の中に含まれている。しかし,今日では,この区別は,ヘーゲルにおけるように,種類の別というよりは程度の別になっている。(訳注:唯物論的弁証法の3原則の中の1番目「量から質への転化、ないしその逆の転化」に模した言い方) 死んだ物質は最も実在性が少なく,生きた物質は(死んだ物質より)少しだけより実在性があり,人間の意識はさらに実在性が増す。しかし,唯一完全な実在は神,即ち神性を抱いた宇宙である。ヘーゲルはこれらの命題について論理的証明を与えうると明言している。しかし,それには一冊の書物を必要とするであろうことから,ここでは取上げないことにしよう。けれども,彼のBBC談話からいくつか引用して,ホールデン教授の見解を例示してみよう。 |
Chapter 8:Cosmic Purpose , n.5To this objection the pantheistic and emergent forms of the doctrine of Cosmic Purpose are less exposed.Pantheistic evolution has varieties according to the particular brand of pantheism involved ; that of Professor J. S. Haldane, which we are now to consider, is connected with Hegel, and, like everything Hegelian, is not very easy to understand. But the point of view is one which has had considerable influence throughout the past hundred years and more, so that it is necessary to examine it. Moreover, Professor Haldane is distinguished for his work in various special fields, and he has exemplified his general philosophy by detailed investigations, particularly in physiology, which appeared to him to demonstrate that the science of living bodies has need of other laws besides those of chemistry and physics. This fact adds weight to his general outlook. According to this philosophy, there is not, strictly speaking, any such thing as “ dead ” matter, nor is there any living matter without something of the nature of consciousness ; and, to go one step further, there is no consciousness which is not in some degree divine. The distinction between appearance and reality, which we considered briefly in the previous chapter, is involved in Professor Haldane’s views, although he does not mention it ; but now, as with Hegel, it has become a distinction of degree rather than of kind. Dead matter is least real, living matter a little more so, human consciousness still more, but the only complete reality is God, i.e., the Universe conceived as divine. Hegel professes to give logical proofs of these propositions, but we will pass these by, as they would require a volume. We will, however, illustrate Professor Plaldane’s views by some quotations from his B.B.C. talk. |