Abstract
AS most readers of NATURE are aware, a very interesting controversy has arisen between Mr. Herbert Spencer and Prof. Weismann. The subject, although many minor issues appeared, is that apple of discord of modern biology, the existence of an inheritance of acquired characters, and in necessary association with that, the extent of the operation of natural selection. The two approach the questions in sharply-contrasted attitudes. Mr. Spencer looks at the problems of biology in their philosophical aspect as part of the large field of abstract thought which he himself has done so much to analyse, synthesise, and codify. Prof. Weismann, although best known by his theories, has been above all things a minute investigator of structural details. In the present controversy, Spencer maintains that the weight of evidence and argument in favour of the inheritance of acquired characters is so great that “unless there has been inheritance of acquired characters there has been no evolution.” Weismann believes that there are insuperable difficulties in the way; that there is no evidence for such an inheritance; that natural selection is an all-sufficing cause.
Article PDF
References
"The Inadequacy of Natural Selection," by Herbert Spencer . I. Contemporary Zeview, February, 1893. II. Id. March, 1893.
"Prof. Weismann's Theories," by Herbert Spencer . Contemporary Review, May, 1893.
"A Rejoinder to Prof. Weismann," by Herbert Spencer . Contemporary Review December, 1893.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MITCHELL, P. The Spencer-Weismann Controversy 1. Nature 49, 373–374 (1894). https://doi.org/10.1038/049373b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/049373b0