of idle people, knowing instinctively to what these deductions lead,
saluted this theory with enthusiasm, conferred upon it the stamp of
truth, i.e., of science, and dragged it about with them for half a
century.

Is not this same thing the cause of the confidence of men in
positive critical-experimental science, and of the devout attitude
of the crowd towards that which it preaches? At first it seems
strange, that the theory of evolution can in any manner justify
people in their evil ways; and it seems as though the scientific
theory of evolution has to deal only with facts, and that it does
nothing else but observe facts.

But this only appears to be the case.

Exactly the same thing appeared to be the case with the Hegelian
doctrine, in a greater degree, and also in the special instance of
the Malthusian doctrine. Hegelianism was, apparently, occupied only
with its logical constructions, and bore no relation to the life of
mankind. Precisely this seemed to be the case with the Malthusian
theory. It appeared to be busy itself only with statistical data.
But this was only in appearance.

Contemporary science is also occupied with facts alone: it
investigates facts. But what facts? Why precisely these facts, and
no others?

The men of contemporary science are very fond of saying,
triumphantly and confidently, "We investigate only facts," imagining
that these words contain some meaning. It is impossible to