INTRODUCTION 



tion, accepted because we naively believed in the 

 facts and theories given us by biologists, has domi- 

 nated society? Is it astonishing that a revolt occurs 

 when the prop to our faith is thus knocked out*? It 

 cannot reassure us to have Professor Bateson tell us^ 

 at the close of his address, to be of good cheer because 

 the mystery may be solved tomorrow; we cannot for- 

 get that, after sixty years of diligent search to clear 

 this mystery of the origin of species and of the meth- 

 od of their variations, he confesses that not even a 

 beginning has been made. The tomorrow of the biolo- 

 gist may be as long as the million years or so neces- 

 sary for the horse to eliminate his four toes. 



No settlement of this question need be expected 

 from the inside for the man of science is at heart a 

 monist ; the opposition from without is almost certain, 

 if it be not wisely directed, to go too far and to smash 

 what science has done, and can do, so marvellously 

 well when it keeps within its own field. And men of 

 science should not be deceived as to the extent of the 

 reaction against the domination of science; only the 

 sociologists, historians, and humanitarian clergy, go 

 on calmly as if all were well in the sanctuary. 



The critic should, I think, justify his right to criti- 

 cise, as there is often flung at him the remark that 

 the man of creative ability will continue to work as 

 his powers direct and criticism is of little use. Yet, so 

 great a genius as Faraday tells us it is as important 



