This book has the same goal as the previous one: the demonstration of the soul,
of the future life, of the plurality of existences, but in a more didactic, more scientific form, therefore always clear and intelligible to everyone. The refutation of materialism, and in particular the doctrines of Büchner and Maleschott, occupies a large part in it, and it is not the least interesting or the least instructive part, by the irresistible logic of the arguments. The doctrine of these two writers of undeniable talent, and who claim to explain all moral phenomena by the forces of matter alone, has had much resonance in Germany, and by consequence in France; it was naturally enthusiastically acclaimed by the materialists, who were glad to find in it the sanction of their ideas; above all, it has recruited supporters among young students, who use them to free themselves, in the name of the apparent legality of a philosophy, in a break from the belief in God and in immortality.
The author endeavors to reduce to their true value the fallacies on which that philosophy is based; he demonstrates the disastrous consequences that it would have for society, if it were ever to prevail, and its incompatibility with any moral doctrine. Although it is hardly known outside a determined sphere, a somehow popular rebuttal is very useful, to forearm those who might be seduced by the specious arguments that it invokes. We are convinced that, among the people that advocate it, there are some who would back down if they had understood its full extent.
Even if only from this point of view, the work of Mr. Dyonis deserves serious encouragement, because he is an energetic champion for the cause of Spiritualism, and that of Spiritism also to which we see that the author is no stranger. But the task he has imposed on himself is not limited to that; he considers the issue of the soul in a broad and comprehensive manner; he is one of those who admit his indefinite progress, through animality, humanity and beyond humanity. Perhaps, in some points, his book contains some proposals that are a little adventurous, but that it is good to bring to light, so that they are matured by the discussion.
We regret that the lack of space does not allow us to justify our assessment with a few quotations; we will restrict ourselves to the next passage and say that those who read this book will not waste their time.
“
If we examine the beings who have succeeded one another in the geological periods, we notice that there is progress in the individuals successively endowed with life, and that the last comer, man, is an irrefutable proof of that moral development, by the gift of the transmissible intelligence that he received first, and the only one of all animals.This perfectibility of the soul, opposed to the imperfectability of matter, leads us to think that the human soul is not the first expression of the soul, but that it is only its last expression so far. In other words, that the soul has progressed since the first manifestation of life, passing alternately through plants, animalcules, animals, and man, to rise further, by means of creations of a higher order, that our imperfect senses do not allow us to understand, but that the logic of facts leads us to admit. The law of progress, that we follow in the physical developments of successive animals, would therefore also exist, and mainly, in their moral development.”
[1] One volume, in-12, price 3.5 francs.
