The Education of Henry Adams · Chapter
XV: Darwinism (1867–1868) explained
Henry Adams, feeling intellectually stagnant in London, turns to Darwinism and geology as new avenues for education and purpose.
What happens
Henry Adams, feeling intellectually stagnant in London, turns to Darwinism and geology as new avenues for education and purpose. He engages with Sir Charles Lyell, attempts to write about geological uniformity and natural selection, and grapples with the tension between scientific theory and practical finance, ultimately publishing articles on British finance while questioning his own motives and the nature of truth.
Themes in this chapter
Education and Self-Formation
Adams turns to Darwinism and geology as a means of self-education, seeking to fill the void left by politics and diplomacy, and later attempts to educate himself in finance.
Unity vs. Multiplicity
The chapter explores the tension between uniformitarianism (unity) and catastrophic or multiple explanations in geology, and Adams's own desire for a unifying principle like Evolution.
Historical Determinism and Chaos
Adams grapples with the idea of unbroken evolution versus the chaotic evidence of glaciation and the limits of scientific certainty, reflecting on the randomness of natural selection.
Characters to notice
- Henry Adams
The narrator and protagonist, who adopts Darwinism and Comteism, attempts to write about geology for Sir Charles Lyell, and later turns to studying British finance for publication.
- Charles Lyell
Sir Charles Lyell, the geological champion of Darwin, is an intimate of the Legation; he asks Adams to help promote his 'Principles' in America and discusses glacial theory and uniformitarianism with him.
- Charles Francis Adams
Henry's father, who looks on Henry's attitude as moral weakness and is annoyed by his son's philosophical detachment.
Key passages
“He was a Darwinist before the letter; a predestined follower of the tide; but he was hardly trained to follow Darwin's evidences.”
Adams considered himself a natural Darwinist, even before fully understanding the theory, though he lacked the scientific training to evaluate the evidence.
Highlights Adams's instinctive embrace of Darwinism despite his ignorance.
“He did the next best thing; he became a Comteist, within the limits of evolution.”
Unable to become a Marxist, Adams adopted Comte's positivism, as long as it fit within an evolutionary framework.
Shows Adams's search for a comprehensive philosophical system.
“The proof that one had acted wisely because of obeying the primordial habit of nature flattered one's self-esteem.”
Adams felt that following nature's evolutionary pull justified his actions and boosted his ego.
Reflects his rationalization of personal choices through natural law.
“He was a Darwinian for fun.”
Adams treated Darwinism as an intellectual amusement rather than a serious commitment.
Captures his detached, almost playful approach to scientific ideas.