1840Indian rebirth

Like many of his contemporaries, Darwin was deeply influenced by religion and even studied theology at Cambridge University in his youth.

However, as his study of biology continued to deepen, his belief in religion gradually faded away.

But Darwin did not become an outright atheist. He ultimately maintained a concept similar to agnosticism for a long time.

He is not particularly averse to religious activities. At least so far, he still continues the living habits he has developed since childhood and is willing to attend worship services.

"Why don't you change the name to a more subtle one?" Darwin hesitated.

Ma Shao: "Of course, you have the right, but I think there is no more appropriate name than "The Origin of Species"."

"As for the church, no matter what, they are no longer the church that can judge Galileo, and this is not Spain that still clings to the Inquisition. If you are still worried, just give you some high-sounding explanation, and they can put you

How is it?"

Ma Shao added: "Besides, the best way to avoid conflicts with the church is to make this book unknown. I think you don't want to see this result, right?"

Darwin thought for a while and finally nodded: "Okay, you're right, let's call it this name."

He added: "However, I also think it should be more specific, such as... "On the Origin of Species Based on Natural Selection, That is, the Preservation of Superior Races in the Struggle for Survival." What do you think?"

This is the full name of "The Origin of Species" in history, but almost no one remembers it.

Ma Shao also didn't remember: "Mr. Darwin, with all due respect, I think this name can achieve two rare effects at the same time - make the church unhappy, and no one will look at it."

Eventually, "The Origin of Species" became the full title.

The two discussed some religious topics.

"... When I inspected living things in various places, I found many natural phenomena that were not in line with the teachings, such as parasites. If nature is really God's well-intentioned design, I don't understand why he created parasites. Such dirty things are not related to parasites.

Good intentions really have nothing to do with it." Darwin talked about his experience, and then asked, "What do you think of your gods?"

Ma Shao: "We have many tribes with different beliefs, but generally speaking, our religious systems are relatively primitive and have not evolved to be as complex as Christianity. Even personal gods are rare."

"Evolution?" Darwin's expression changed, "Do you think religion also has a process of evolution?"

Mashao nodded: "Of course, primitive religions are always vague and full of strange things, until monotheistic religions. Monotheistic religions eliminated most religions just like human ancestors eliminated other creatures. Many religions have bad traits, such as not being good at expansion, and the main god is not centralized enough.

, eventually became the withered bones in this evolution.”

Darwin: "I'm curious, as a chief, have you ever tried to promote concepts such as atheism in your tribe?"

"Yes, but I failed." Ma Shao sighed, "Now they regard me as a god."

Darwin: "So, a god-killer was eventually promoted to the altar?"

"That seems to be the case." Ma Shao nodded helplessly.

"This sounds really interesting." Darwin smiled, "But to be honest, if your head suddenly lights up, telling me that you are actually the incarnation of God, and then demonstrating the evolution of species with your own hands, I probably won't be very surprised."

After a day of communicating with Darwin.

The horse whistle was packed up, and the next day he took a few followers and ran to Lincolnshire.

"Boarding school for young gentlemen..."

Ma Shao read the name on the plaque and looked at the school in front of him.

Although it is a school, its architectural style looks more like a hotel - a small red brick building with two floors, surrounded by a low wall.

"Welcome, Mr. Whistle." George Bull walked out of the school dusty. He looked tired and had a lot of chalk dust on his shirt. He must have just been in class.

"Who is this?" Ma Shao looked at Bull's side, a girl wearing a long skirt who looked to be only sixteen or seventeen years old.

"She...she is my student." Bull felt a little embarrassed for no reason.

The way the girl looked at Bull was a bit unusual. The relationship between the two was probably not just that of teacher and student.

"Nice to meet you, dear Mr. Mashao, I am Mary Everest." The girl introduced herself with a smile.

The horse whistle was startled when he heard this: "Mount Everest?"

The English name of Mount Everest is "Mount Everest".

When everyone heard this, they were all puzzled.

Mary Everest said: "You know my uncle? As far as I know, he often deals with mountains and has also measured the Himalayas, but it seems that there is no peak named after him."

"I've heard a little bit about it." Ma Shao was a little embarrassed and could only say this.

He didn't know much about this history, but from the girl's description, the English name of Mount Everest, Mount Everest, most likely came from her uncle.

Indeed, the British later named Mount Everest Mount Everest in memory of Mary's uncle.

Mary herself is not well-known in history, but there are many famous people in her family, including her uncle on Mount Everest. In addition, there is also her future daughter-Vuni, the author of "Gadfly"

Qi, followed by Turing Award winner Jeffrey Hinton, as well as Hinton and Han Chun, who have deep connections with China.

Of course, there is an even more important one: her future husband, her current teacher George Boole, one of the greatest mathematicians of the 19th century and the founder of mathematical logic.

However, this famous mathematician, whose achievements at this time were not outstanding, could even be said to have failed from a secular perspective.

Boole was already in his thirties, but he still had not married. He worked hard to run a shabby school. He had to teach and run the school. He wanted to study mathematics, but he was covered in chalk dust from trivial matters.

His current situation seems to be particularly embarrassing.

Ma Shao looked at his tired expression: "Bull, you don't seem to be in a good condition?"

Bull sighed slightly: "I'm sorry to greet you like this. My father has been seriously ill recently, which has made my work and life a little messy."

"I may have told you that my father is a shoemaker, but he is very studious. He taught himself a lot of mathematical knowledge and then taught it to me. Although my mathematics has long surpassed him now, without his company and encouragement, I still can't

You will feel confused, just like you did when you were a child..."

Ma Shao could guess that Bull was currently in a tight situation. To a certain extent, it could be said that he came at the right time.

So after a short conversation, he said: "Do you remember what I said before?"

"Remember." Bull hesitated, "But you have also seen my school. It is indeed very simple and has not enough staff..."

Ma Shao: "An Eastern philosopher once said that no house will appear simple if it is inhabited by noble souls. I am sure that even if this school is ten times simpler, it will still gain people's respect because of you."

Hearing these words, George Boole was quite moved.

Apart from Ma Shao, the only person who can give him such a high evaluation is probably his student and admirer, that is, the little girl beside him, Mary Everest.

Compared with Mary Everest, the praise from the father of thermodynamics is obviously much more valuable.

Ma Shao: "The key to a school is its teachers. Facilities are very secondary. And if you are willing, the problem of facilities can also be solved."

Boolean: "What do you mean?"

Ma Shao said slowly: "I happen to have a little money on hand. If you don't mind, I can invest in or acquire your school at a pretty good price and improve its facilities. Of course, there are some conditions."

————————

ps:

Bull and her wife should have met a year later, but this is a little early.

There is a documentary called "The Genius of George Boole" that you can watch.