SCIENCE AND SOCIAL PROGRESS 237 



also to take account of the future instead of confining himself entirely 

 to the present. For example, when man understands the true nature 

 of such phenomena as volcanoes, earthquakes and floods, instead of at- 

 tributing them to the vengeance of an angry god, he is in a position to 

 protect himself intelligently from their injurious effects. 



A third effect of science is that it restrains and directs the emo- 

 tional life. In helping to make reason instead of passion the guide of 

 our actions, it has done more than seems at first apparent, even though 

 at times it has tended to go too far in stifling the legitimate action of 

 the feelings. Under the increasing domination of reason man has had 

 a better perspective and has been able to discriminate between im- 

 portant and unimportant things. At the same time he has attained 

 greater self control. Instead of giving way to blind passion he has 

 acted with greater and greater deliberation. This increased power of 

 discrimination and greater self-control have had a remarkable effect 

 upon man's actions. In giving him greater toleration they have done 

 much to decrease strife. Man is much less likely to go to war over 

 fancied grievances or over petty differences. And in all kinds of ac- 

 tivities man is much more likely to count the cost before entering upon 

 them. He will not, from a passing impulse, enter upon great under- 

 takings which are impossible of execution. Eeason, therefore, in supple- 

 menting impulse, has done much to cause man to avoid destructive and 

 useless activities and to economize time and strength in the pursuit of 

 useful ones. 



The final result of science upon progress is the one most generally 

 recognized. Science is the basis of art, and the progress of knowledge 

 has stimulated and perfected the useful arts. Science has enabled us to 

 make great strides in the conquest of nature, and has made possible to 

 some extent the control of different forms of life. The resulting in- 

 crease of wealth has made possible far greater happiness and has 

 opened new channels of social progress. This result of science is so 

 far-reaching that only the general effects can be mentioned here, the 

 more detailed results will be considered later in connection with the 

 separate sciences. 



As the progress of science has altered the course of human prog- 

 ress so materially in the past, and as it is likely to be the most im- 

 portant factor in determining social progress in the future, it will be of 

 great advantage to study the immediate causes of the advancement of 

 science, as well as the social conditions in which these causes are most 

 likely to be active. The distinction between the causes and conditions 

 of the advancement of science is not hard to understand, though it may 

 not be possible always to follow the dividing line exactly in discussion. 

 Science is advanced by individual effort, and stimuli to the individual 

 form the immediate cause of its advancement. But these individual 



