264 THE PRESENT IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE 



In view of the definition of science above given, we under- 

 stand why the scientist does not accept the naive formulas, 

 by which the progress of society is frequently explained, for 

 example, belief that the advances of western nations, during 

 the past nineteen hundred years has been mainly a function 

 of the dominant religion. The spirit of the greatest of 

 ethical masters is in no small measure responsible, but the 

 progress of western culture is a more complex affair. 



Acceptance of the traditional explanations of progress 

 would be unimportant, if such an attitude did not lead to 

 blindness in situations which involve the future of mankind. 

 We must have in mind the entire situation must consider 

 all the data. When this is done, the rational processes of 

 the mind, which constitute the motive power of science, 

 appear as a dynamic factor in human progress. Behind the 

 life of the civilized community, with its elevation and ex- 

 pansion of the individual, is the driving force of ration- 

 ality. 



THE MATERIAL FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIAL WELL-BEING 



Whether or not it be agreed that the development of the 

 individual to the limits of his capacity constitutes the goal 

 of human effort, it is fairly obvious that human progress 

 from the Renaissance onward has proceeded in this direction. 

 The modern Utopia seems to be a world in which men will 

 not be debarred from a realization of the best that is in them, 

 save by the obligation to give to others an equal opportunity. 

 We are far from the goal, but enough has been effected that 

 we may dream of a day when no human individual will lack 

 the opportunity to achieve, both physically and mentally, 

 the best that lies within him. Equality of capacity would 

 seem a biological impossibility, but equality of opportunity is 

 not unattainable within reasonable limits. It is this upward 

 surge of individuality that has produced the democratic 

 movements of the recent centuries; and the best guarantee 



