T. H. Green on evolution and consciousness

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"That countless generations should have passed during which a transmitted organism was progressively modified by reaction on its surroundings, by struggle for existence, or otherwise, till its functions became such that an eternal consciousness could realise or reproduce itself through them -- this might add to the wonder with which the consideration of what we do and are must always fill us, but it could not alter the results of that consideration." -- Prolegomena to Ethics, p. 94

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  1. Samson Corwell12:28 AM

    This is a bit off topic, but I first encountered Green's name when I read an account of him as a "reformist 'liberal'" (they put "liberal" in quotes) and got the vibe from that comment that these "reformists" were a radical departure from the status quo at the time. Is that correct? Because I'm hesitant to say that this "reformism" is as big a deal as some people make it out to be.

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    Replies
    1. gcallah11:21 PM

      Well, he considered himself a liberal, but was fairly critical of laissez faire.

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