Natural theology, or Evidences of the existence and attributes of the Deity, with additions and notes [by T. Smibert 2 pt. (Chambers's instructive and entertaining libr.) ].Gould, Kendall and Lincoln, 1849 - 292 |
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action adapted admissible laws animal animalcules appears aqueous humour argument arteries birds blood body bones called cartilage cause cavity centre chyle composed consequence constitution contrivance Creator crystalline lens degree Deity digestion direction distinct earth effect evident example existence feathers fibres fish fluid force gastric juice gizzard glands globe hinge-joint human insects instance instrument intelligent joint lacteals law of attraction laws less ligament light limbs lungs mastication means mechanism membrane motion mouth mucilage muscles muscular Natural Theology nature necessary objects observed operation organ organisation oviparous perceive perfect perhaps plants possess present prey principle proboscis produced properties purpose quadrupeds rays reason relation remarkable respect retina seed sense shell side species stomach structure substance suppose supposition surface teeth tendons terrestrial animals things tion tribe variety vegetable vertebræ vessels watch whilst whole wings
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Strona 11 - I knew to the contrary, it had lain there for ever ; nor would it perhaps be very easy to show the absurdity of this answer. But suppose I had found a watch upon the ground, and it should be inquired how the watch happened to be in that place : I should hardly think of the answer which I had before given, — that, for anything I knew, the watch might have always been there.
Strona 11 - For this reason, and for no other, viz., that, when we come to inspect the watch, we perceive (what we could not discover in the stone) that its several parts are framed and put together for a purpose, eg that they are so formed and adjusted as to produce motion, and that motion so regulated as to point out the hour of the day...
Strona 34 - C in the construction of instruments, in the choice and adaptation of means, that a Creative Intelligence is seen. It is this which constitutes the order and beauty of the universe. God therefore has been pleased to prescribe limits to his own power, and to work his ends within those limits.
Strona 19 - I mean that the contrivances of nature surpass the contrivances of art, in the complexity, subtlety, and curiosity of the mechanism ; and still more, if possible, do they go beyond them in number and variety : yet, in a multitude of cases, are not less evidently mechanical, not less evidently contrivances, not less evidently accommodated to their end, or suited to their office, than are the most perfect productions of human ingenuity.
Strona 51 - WIRE there no example in the world, of contrivance, except that of the eye, it would be alone sufficient to support the conclusion which we draw from it, as to the necessity of an intelligent Creator.
Strona 254 - ... falling to the lot, and forming the happiness, of the great bulk and body of our species, as well as of ourselves. Nay, even when we do not possess it, it ought to be matter of thankfulness that others do. But we have a different way of thinking. We court distinction. That is not the worst : we see nothing but what has distinction to recommend it. This necessarily contracts our views of the Creator's beneficence within a narrow compass ; and most unjustly. It is in those things which are so common...
Strona 21 - I know no better method of introducing so large a subject, than that of comparing a single thing with a single thing; an eye, for example, with a telescope.
Strona 17 - No tendency is perceived, no approach towards a diminution of this necessity. It is the same with any and every succession of these machines ; a succession of ten, of a hundred, of a thousand : with one series, as with another ; a series which is finite, as with a series which is infinite. In whatever other respects they may differ, in this they do not. In all, equally, contrivance and design are unaccounted for. The question is not simply, How came the first watch into existence ? which question,...
Strona 230 - ... can contrive, which can design, must be a person. These capacities constitute personality, for they imply consciousness, and thought. They require that which can perceive an end or purpose ; as well as the power of providing means, and of directing them to their end.* They require a centre in which perceptions unite, and from which volitions flow ; which is mind. The acts of a mind prove the existence of a mind : and in whatever a mind resides is a person. The seat of intellect is a person.
Strona 262 - ... that, in a vast plurality of instances, in which contrivance is perceived, the design of the contrivance is beneficial.' Our second proposition is, ' that the Deity has added pleasure to animal sensations, beyond what was necessary for any other purpose, or when the purpose, so far as it was necessary, might have been effected by the operation of pain...