X INTRODUCTION 



The old sequence of ridicule, endure and embrace is now being repeated 

 with v^ehemence. 



In many general education programs, and the list is growing by the 

 semester, the improvement of the student's thinking ability is a major 

 goal. Some of the advantages of the new trend are that broader view- 

 points are possible, relationships become more evident, dormant interests 

 are aroused, motivation for further inquiry is provided, a personal phi- 

 losophy of life can be attained and a healthy attitude for the examination 

 of ancient superstitions, provincialisms and intolerances is maintained. 



It cannot be too strongly emphasized that the general improvement in 

 the thinking of the great mass of people will determine largely the quality 

 of government that we have. If we allow the dictates of our reveries and 

 our emotions to govern our actions, or if we stop thinking and rely en- 

 tirely upon recognized authority we shall see a people ridden with race 

 riots, hatreds, crime waves, and dociUty. These are, among others, the 

 natural fruits of such thinking or lack of it. 



Biology, with its great wealth of material and its use of the scientific 

 method has a fundamental role to play "in helping students understand 

 the forces that have reshaped our civilization and which now threaten to 

 destroy it. At this of all times it should be clear that understanding the 

 social implications of the sciences is an imperative in general education." ^ 



1 "Higher Education for American Democracy," Vol. I, A Report of the Presi- 

 dent's Commission on Higher Education (U.S. Government Printing Office, 1947), 

 p. 52. 



