Page:The kernel and the husk (Abbott, 1886).djvu/60

44 even yourself that you have succeeded—in making a single human being the better for your influence.

"In morals as in mathematics nothing can be done without faith in the Ideal. If you want to operate scientifically upon imperfect men you must keep constantly before your mind the image of the Perfect Man. We have seen that, before we can attain to 'applied mathematics,' which constitute the basis of those sciences by which we dominate the material world, we have to begin with 'pure mathematics.' In that region of study we have to idealize and speak of things, not as they are in our experience, but as they might be if certain tendencies that we see around us could be infinitely—yes, and we must add, impossibly—extended. Yet in the end, if we go patiently onward, we find that our 'pure mathematics' lead us to conclusions of immense practical importance.

"It is precisely the same in the science of humanity, which we may call anthropology. In order to prepare the way for 'applied anthropology' whereby we may dominate the immaterial world, the minds and tempers of men, we must begin with 'pure anthropology'; that is to say, we must idealize and speak of man not as he is but as he would be if certain tendencies which we see in him conducive to social order and individual development, could be infinitely—yes, and we must add, if we limit our horizon to this present life, impossibly—extended. In the end, if we go patiently onward, we shall find that 'pure anthropology' will be of immense practical importance in helping us to control and develop ourselves and individuals around us and all communities of men. This 'pure anthropology,' having to do with the Ideal of humanity, is necessarily associated or identified with the conception of God; and some would call it 'theology' or 'Christianity.' But that is a mere matter of names. Call it by whatever name you please, but study it you must.