fiiolof/icdl Ltiiis (111(1 SdcidI f'rof/rcss. 57 



lii< I icaliiiciit (if the (IcpciKlciit cl.isscs. man lias susi.cikIcH I lie process ,,f 

 MatiirnI selection: ho \n-csvv\vs and cares Uiv the menially nnC.irt unalc. 

 ])('rmils tliein In nniltiply. and \>y marriauc with noinial individuals, to 

 increase the nundier <>\' tainted persons in the community. At the same 

 time he is placiiiLT on sociely the burden of caring for an increasing number 

 of persons who are totally nnaiile to care for themselves. Tiie seriousness 

 of this problem is well known and considerable progress lias l)een made to- 

 ward a solution. Increase of the aitnornial must he prevented by proper 

 measures, and the entire group of defectives must be reduced to the lowest 

 possilile minimum. At the same time, ediication of the i)ublic in regard lo 

 the importance of eugenic marriage will reduce the number of tainted per- 

 sons in society. 



The entire situation, as I have described it, may be summarized as fol- 

 lows: In the development of society certain laws of progressive evolution 

 h.ive been violated. Man has produced an artificial environment in which 

 the defective classes are increasing while the educated classes are not per- 

 petuating themselves. He has permitted the formation of .social .groups 

 but has not insisted on the proper coordination of these organs of the social 

 ^ody. In international affairs he still employs the "ape and tiger methods"' 

 .)f his ancestors. The scientist is interested in the solution of the.se problems 

 because he is a citizen, and since the problems are largely scientific, he 

 should assist in their solution. I will not go as far as Groves, who says 

 that since the scientist has made our era. he is also icsixmsible for its 

 proi)lems. The duty of the .scientist is investigation. Our social problems 

 have ari.sen because of the weakness of human nature. The supreme test is 

 this: .Can human intelligence devi.se plans for o\-ercoming the defects of 

 our social system, and having found such plans will it be able to make them 

 effective? Looking backward at the progress already made, there is reason 

 for encouragement. Present conditions have been reached through a long 

 Itrocess of development. There is every reason to believe that the .scientific 

 era of society has only begun. If all rif the best elements will join In 

 enforcing the necessary obedience to the fundamental laws of evolution, the 

 golden age of .society is yet to i>e. Such a future can be achieved only 

 t hrougli cooperation. 



