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CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY. |
| Experiment with magnet—Principle of polarity—Applies universally—Analogies in spiritual world—Zoroastrian religion—Changes in modern environment—Require corresponding changes in religions and philosophies | 1 |
CHAPTER II.
POLARITY IN MATTER—MOLECULES AND ATOMS. |
| Matter consists of molecules—Nature of molecules—Laws of their action in gases—Law of Avogadro—Molecules composed of atoms—Proved by composition of water—Combinations of atoms—Elementary substances—Qualities of matter depend on atoms—Dimensions and velocities of molecules and atoms—These are ascertained facts, not theories | 9 |
CHAPTER III.
ETHER. |
| Ether proved by light—Light-waves—Elasticity of ether—Its universal diffusion—Influences molecules and atoms—Is influenced by them—Successive orders of the infinitely small—Illustrated by the differential and integral calculus—Explanation of this calculus—Theory of vortex rings | 21 |
CHAPTER IV.
ENERGY. |
| Energy of motion and of position—Energy can be transformed, not created or destroyed—Not created by free-will—Conservation of mechanical power—Convertibility of heat and work—Nature of heat—The steam-engine—Different forms of energy—Gravity—Molecular energy—Chemical energy—Dynamite—Chemical affinities—Electricity—Produced by friction—By the voltaic battery—Electric currents—Arc light—Induction—Magnetism—The magnetic needle—The electric telegraph—The telephone—Dynamo-electric engine—Accumulator | 36 |
CHAPTER V.
POLARITY IN MATTER. |
| Ultimate elements of universe—Built up by polarity—Experiment with magnet—Chemical affinity—Atomic poles—Alkalies and acids—Quantivalence—Atomicity—Isomerism—Chemical stability—Thermochemistry—Definition of atoms—All matter built up by polar forces | 65 |
CHAPTER VI.
POLARITY IN LIFE. |
| Contrast of living and dead—Eating and being eaten—Trace matter upwards and life downwards—Colloids—Cells—Protoplasm—Monera—Composition of protoplasm—Essential qualities of life—Nutrition and sensation—Motion—Reproduction—Spontaneous generation—Organic compounds—Polar conditions of life | 76 |
CHAPTER VII.
PRIMITIVE POLARITIES—PLANT AND ANIMAL. |
| Contrast in developed life—Plants producers, animals consumers—Differences disappear in simple forms—Zoophytes—Protista—Nummulites—Corals—Fungi—Lichens—Insectivorous plants—Geological succession—Primary period, AlgÆ and Ferns—Secondary period, Gymnosperms—Tertiary and recent, Angiosperms—Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons—Parallel evolution of animal life—Primary, protista, mollusca, and fish—Secondary, reptiles—Tertiary and recent, mammals | 92 |
CHAPTER VIII.
PRIMITIVE POLARITIES—POLARITY OF SEX. |
| Sexual generation—Base of ancient cosmogonies—Propagation non-sexual in simpler forms—Amoeba and cells—Germs and buds—Anemones—Worms—Spores—Origin of sex—Ovary and male organ—Hermaphrodites—Parthenogenesis—Bees and insects—Man and woman—Characters of each sex—Woman’s position—Improved by civilisation—Christianity the feminine pole—Monogamy the law of nature—Tone respecting women test of character—Women in literature—In society—Attraction and repulsion of sexes—Like attracts unlike—Ideal marriage—Woman’s rights and modern legislation | 102 |
CHAPTER IX.
PRIMITIVE POLARITIES—HEREDITY AND VARIATION. |
| Heredity in simple forms of life—In more complex organisms—Pangenesis—Varieties how produced—Fixed by law of survival of the fittest—Dr. Temple’s view—Examples: triton, axolotl—Variations in individuals and species—Lizards into birds—Ringed snakes—Echidna | 117 |
CHAPTER X.
THE KNOWABLE AND UNKNOWABLE—BRAIN AND THOUGHT. |
| Basis of knowledge—Perception—Constitution of brain—White and grey matter—Average size and weight of brains—European, negro, and ape—Mechanism of perception—Sensory and motor nerves—Separate areas of brain—Sensory and motor centres—Abnormal states of brain—Hypnotism—Somnambulism—Trance—Thought-reading—Spiritualism—Reflex action—Ideas how formed—Number and space—Creation unknowable—Conceptions based on perceptions—Metaphysics—Descartes, Kant, Berkeley—Anthropomorphism—Laws of nature | 125 |
CHAPTER XI.
RELIGIONS AND PHILOSOPHIES. |
| Religions, ‘working hypotheses’—Newman’s illative sense—Origins of religions—Ghosts and spirits—Fetishes—Nature-worship—Solar myths—Planets—Evolution of nature-worship—Polytheism, pantheism, and theism—Evolution of monotheism in the Old Testament—Evolution of morality—Natural law and miracle—Evidence for miracles—Insufficiency of evidence—Absence of intelligent design—Agnosticism—Origin of evil—Can only be explained by polarity—Optimism and pessimism—Jesus, the Christian Ormuzd—Christianity without miracles | 146 |
CHAPTER XII.
CHRISTIANITY AND MORALS. |
| Christianity based on morals—Origin of morality—Traced in Judaism—Originates in evolution—Instance of murder—Freedom of will—Will suspended in certain states of brain—Hypnotism—Mechanical theory—Pre-established harmony—Human and animal conscience—Analysis of will—Explained by polarity—Practical conclusion | 184 |
CHAPTER XIII.
ZOROASTRIANISM. |
| Zoroaster an historical person—The Parsees—I
A MODERN ZOROASTRIAN.
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