Luck, or Cunning, as the Main Means of Organic Modification Part 2

Part 2 revisits Darwin’s idea of accidental variation, arguing instead that conscious habit and accumulated experience drive organic change. Butler compares Darwin’s and Lamarck’s perspectives, emphasizing the role of memory and intentional adaptation in evolution. Through critiques of Grant Allen and Professor Ray Lankester, he defends the inclusion of mind and purpose in evolutionary theory. The later chapters highlight Butler’s call for harmony between science and philosophy, rejecting the notion of blind chance as the sole force of evolution. The book concludes with his belief that life evolves through intelligent adaptation rather than luck.