270 THE PRESENT IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE 



to be hoped the former may listen more to the latter. That 

 is to say, it is important that we consider probable conse- 

 quences before adopting new lines of procedure. At the 

 beginning of clear thinking, in all politico-social questions are 

 facts that have been more or less scientifically ascertained. 

 The scientific method is needed at every turn, if complex 

 social situations are to be dealt with in any other fashion 

 than by the blundering methods of the past. The plea is not 

 that the scientist is always a good citizen, but that the 

 scientific method is useful for the citizen; that, as social 

 life becomes more complex, it is necessary to apply the 

 method of science, as a tool wherewith to shape the conclu- 

 sions which shall guide our social conduct. The need for 

 scientific knowledge and insight is particularly great now 

 that society has become so highly organized. At an earlier 

 day, the problems were simpler and the ignorance of the 

 population was the element that made the situation seem 

 hopeless. To-day, ignorance is still the greatest bar to 

 progress, but it is an ignorance that shows signs of enlight- 

 enment and that is frequently maintained on an artificial 

 basis by tradition and propaganda. 



The difficulty in taking over the scientific frame of mind, 

 to fields where personal considerations hold sway, is acknowl- 

 edged. The scientist, who exhibits dispassionate judgment 

 in a restricted field of investigation, is not infrequently as 

 narrow-minded in his social judgments as the individuals in 

 other callings whom the scientist sometimes holds up to 

 scorn. It is difficult to be open-minded and dispassionate 

 where self-interest is involved. But the frame of mind 

 which is avowedly and conscientiously disinterested and 

 progressively inclined is more likely to produce good citizen- 

 ship than the one which habitually works on closed circuits. 



There is one very practical point of difference, in the 

 application of scientific principles within the field of the 

 social as compared with the natural sciences, which has a 

 bearing upon the taking over of the scientific habit of mind. 



