[A. Pole]

Do you care to point out the passage where Darwin claims "that the universe is a dead purposeless machine ruled by chance?" I've read him extensively, and never have I run accross such a passage.

And I have a question to you. Do you reject then the view "that the universe is a dead purposeless machine ruled by chance"? If you do, please explain, maybe we can come to agreement.

[curiosity]

And I have a question to you. Do you reject then the view "that the universe is a dead purposeless machine ruled by chance"?

Yes, I reject that view. I'd also add that it has absolutely nothing to do with the modern neo-Darwinian theory of evolution.