Science^ Religion and Socialism 



(A contribution to the book of essays Christianity and the 



Social Revolution, 1935? with additions, including material 



from the Criterion, 1932, and Scrutiny, 1932.) 



The problem of the relationship between the traditional religion of 

 the European West and the coming new world-order, as yet in its 

 details uncertain, seems at first sight to have little to do with the 

 preoccupations of the scientist. Whether the old forms of theology 

 and liturgy disappear, whether the new social order is, or is not, 

 more just than that which is breaking up, whether he has to live and 

 work in the corporate or in the classless State, might seem to be 

 matters of indifference to him. Nevertheless such a view would be 

 superficial. The moment a scientific worker begins to reflect upon the 

 nature and methods of his science, he will find himself involved in 

 its history and philosophy, and hence its relations to historical, 

 economic and intellectual factors, from which religious ideas certainly 

 cannot be excluded. The moment he begins to reflect upon the ends 

 to which others are putting the results of his work, he will find himself 

 involved in the current political discussion of his time. Even some 

 hypothetical scientist who aimed at the most complete neutrality 

 with respect to the world in which he lived could not long escape 

 the ultimate argument of economic forces, and would be induced to 

 think over his relation to his fellows when he found himself unem- 

 ployed after some sudden restriction of scientific effort. 



The beginnings of the scientific movement in the 17th century are 

 discussed elsewhere in this book. Acquisition of personal wealth, the 

 fundamental motive of capitalist enterprise, acted then, and for a long 

 time afterwards, as the most powerful stimulus and support for 

 scientific research. But the indiscriminate application of the scientific 

 method to natural things bursts in the end these limitations. It shows 

 us not only how to make textiles and cheese, but also how, if we will, 

 a high degree of universal physical and mental well-being may 

 be achieved. In so doing, it goes beyond the facts which any 

 single group of men can lay hold of with the object of acquiring 

 private riches. And it dictates to the scientific worker a new 

 allegiance, a separation from his allies (or masters) of three centuries' 

 standing. 



42 



