306 THE PRESENT IMPORTANCE OF SCIENCE 



Historical analogies are valuable, because they are so 

 generally accepted. But it may be doubted whether we 

 actually learn anything from history, except as we find that 

 history reinforces what is observed to be true in the present. 

 Events, which are now transpiring in the world, are a 

 better illustration of the contention that the foundation 

 of toleration is doubt, and that without a degree of doubt 

 neither religious nor any other form of toleration can 

 exist. 



The general politico-social situation which has been a 

 product of the Great War exhibits points of interest. There 

 is a parallel between what occurred centuries ago, as the 

 outcome of an accepted theological dogma, and what is 

 occurring at the present day as a result of the social dogma 

 that political salvation can be secured only through the 

 traditional forms of government. War is a period of intoler- 

 ance in all lines. Having entered a struggle of life-and- 

 death importance the nation feels that those "not with us 

 are against us," and at such a time it is idle to expect the 

 same toleration of divergent opinion upon the matter in 

 hand, as in less strenuous times. The most to be hoped is 

 that the nation will not allow either its individual citizens or 

 its constituted authorities to indulge in practices that will 

 be cause for shame as soon as the excitement has subsided. 

 War is, moreover, conservative, if not reactionary, in its in- 

 fluences, since it tends to make men feel that they should hold 

 to what has been gained, and must, for the time being, put 

 aside any thought of organic changes in government. Thus 

 in Germany, while the war was on and likely to succeed, 

 there was little chance for the social developments that 

 were in the air before it began. The same was true in Great 

 Britain and in the United States. A man fighting for his 

 life has no time to examine the steps toward the expansion 

 and elevation of individual existence. Political reaction is 

 to be expected during war, and perhaps following war in the 

 case of nations that are victorious. The problem is to bring 



