The Spirit of Scientific Progress (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Spirit of Scientific Progress

This age is probably not much better than those which have preceded it. It certainly is not much worse. We doubtless indulge in a great deal of self-congratulation because we did' not live when the Anthropos was yet only the Anthropopithecus, when savage man dwelt in caves, or when all instruments were made of stone.

Conscious as we are of the progress of the world in the arts, we look forward a few million years and see a state of perfection in all the environments of life which bears the same relation to us that we hold to the squalid troglodytes of pre-historic times.

But we are so in love with our own times that we would not be willing to postpone our further existence and have it contin ued in that age of triumph.

That is a most happy trait of human nature which, amid all seeming dissatisfaction, remains satisfied. The querulous mur murer will constantly complain, but he would not be willing to exchange his identity for that of the gamboling boy. The tramp might gladly take the wealth of the monopolist but he would be slow to' take his nature. The old bachelor may envy the good fortune of the smooth-faced Adonis, but he would hesitate be fore exchanging intellects. In fact, human nature is far better satisfied with the inevitable than the necessity of the case de mands, and thinks more of itself than its merits justify.

And this is one reason that science is not popular. Its pro gress has revealed to humanity that there are still many elements of weakness in man, and shows him that many of his cherished beliefs are illusions.

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