In writing this book it is my aim to attempt an analysis 

 of the position in which Man, as the highest product of 

 evolution on the Earth, finds himself at the present time. 

 This position has been reached as the result of a long bio- 

 logical evolution traceable to pre-human ancestors at least 

 600,000 years in the past; a social and cultural evolution 

 extending back to more than 20,000 years ago; and a com- 

 paratively short but very significant scientific evolution be- 

 ginning some 300 years ago effectively. The facts concern- 

 ing Man's activities within the past few thousand years are 

 recorded in written history, and much evidence bearing on 

 Man's earlier development is available from the scientific 

 study of archeological remains found in many parts of the 

 world. With the evidence before us, and providing that we 

 are willing to objectively consider its real significance for 

 Man's future progress, I believe that we can discern a path 

 to take which will enable us to obtain those great benefits 

 of full individual lives in a peaceful world for which men 

 have hoped for centuries. 



It certainly is worthy of our serious thought to consider 

 the possibility of our attaining a world society in which all 

 human beings could be free of food deficiencies, in which 

 the best medical care would be available to all for the 

 virtual elimination of disease, and in which each individual 

 would have the opportunity to develop his or her abilities 

 to their fullest and would be rewarded for doing this. How- 

 ever we must, from the outset, recognize several funda- 

 mental diflficulties which have slowed Man's advance in the 

 past and are still continuing to do so. These hindrances are, 

 I consider, firstiy, the tendency to hold to many beliefs un- 



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