And is even authoritatively recognised by Catholicism 204
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
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
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
2nd. Is the consciousness that is connected with it something separable from, and independent of it 223
The first of these problems has no bearing at all on any moral or religious question. It is insoluble. It leaves us not in doubt but in ignorance 224
The doubt, and the religious question is connected solely with the second problem 228