Page:The Kingdom of Man - Ralph Vary Chamberlin 1938.djvu/31

Rh The ways and means of promoting such extension of a free scientific attitude and procedure in these social fields constitute the outstanding and basic problem confronting us. A first step would seem to be the open recognition of the limitations indicated and an honest analysis of the prejudices setting these limitations. This would purge the studies of seeming chaos and save their students from confusion. The outcome of this extension can only be the attainment of the great society of which men have dreamed, culminating in an organized world-state. Nothing but a catastrophe that will destroy the scientific trend and annul the biological process that antedates and underlies this trend, with a consequent lowering of the whole level of civilization, can prevent this denouement. Such outcome could only mean an era of world-like peace and happiness in which much of present human tragedy would be abolished. Present trends point to a cloud on the horizon which may portend a dark period of restricted liberty; "but any attempt to uproot and eliminate the principle of individual freedom in behalf of the assurance of security and attainment of solidarity by means of external authority is doomed to ultimate defeat no matter what its temporary victories."

The hopes freedom and liberalism seemed to hold out for the race have not been fulfilled; and it has become increasingly evident that control over the physical forces of nature has widely outstripped man's control over himself. The situation in social affairs may well fill us with dismay when we consider how little headway the critical scientific attitude has made among the general run of people. We are confronted by the danger suggested in the ancient passage: "For want of knowledge, the people perish." For the most part people do not now believe in ghosts and witches; but they are still excessively credulous and do believe the best advertised notion, whether it be a soothing-syrup in New England or a social panacea in California. The charlatan, pseudoscientist and demagogue are closer to them than the scientist or expert.

The human situation today corroborates Huxley's observation that "a man's worst difficulties begin when he is free to do as he likes." Liberated from the restraints of drudgery and of much of tradition, he is the plaything of opinion, propaganda, fashions and fads, and has made the popular newspaper, moving-picture and radio what they are. Freed from the ravages of famine and pestilence, he sacrifices millions of men in a futile war-world, using his immensely increased power to achieve primitive, irrational ends. We have laws to prevent the spread of bodily infections, but we have no regulations to prevent the distortion and infection of the mind with erroneous ideas and doctrines. If we are to survive at the present or a higher level, the time must soon come when beliefs and the factors determining them will be treated as the most important problem of public health, understood as concerned with both body and mind. Only the