THE DOGMA OF EVOLUTION 



tions of his discoveries. The interpretation of biology 

 and the application of evolution to social laws have 

 spread to the public principally through the medium 

 of the popularisers of science. The descent from scien- 

 tific accuracy to the vague use of scientific terms by 

 the humanitarians and sociologists has been rapid 

 and fatal. 



Our command over our environment has increased 

 enormously during the past century, owing to the ap- 

 plications of scientific discovery, and with it has come 

 a correspondingly large increase in the complexity of 

 social life. It is a question whether this added power 

 has been accompanied by a corresponding growth of 

 judgement to use it rightly. In other words, has man 

 the ability to use this additional power to direct him- 

 self in a democratic state without some ethical and 

 personal guide? We certainly shall encounter grave 

 difficulties and go through much anguish of mind un- 

 less we can strengthen our inhibitions to use this 

 power for good rather than for harm. The scientific 

 law of evolution, as deduced from natural selection, 

 is concerned with the preservation of the race and 

 seems to have but little bearing on the morals and 

 actions of the individual. At bottom, it declares that 

 what is, is right, or, at least, is unavoidable; and 

 conclusions can be deduced from it which will favour 

 any line of conduct, as I have pointed out previously. 



The passion for unity which lies at the root of scien- 

 tific inquiry is responsible for the attempt to construct 



