MODERN PHYSICS — JEANS 97 



while acquired characteristics are not. Thus, in respect of knowl- 

 edge, each generation stands on the shoulders of its predecessor, but 

 in respect of human nature, both stand on the same ground. 



These are hard facts which we cannot hope to alter, and which — 

 we may as well admit. — may wreck civilization. If there is an 

 avenue of escape, it does not, as I see it, lie in the direction of less 

 science, but of more science — psychology, which holds out hopes 

 that, for the first time in his long history, man may be enabled to 

 obey the command " Know thyself " ; to which I for one, would 

 like to see adjoined a morality and, if possible, even a religion, 

 consistent with our new psychological knowledge and the established 

 facts of science; scientific and constructive measures of eugenics 

 and birth control ; scientific research in agriculture and industry, 

 sufficient at least to defeat the gloomy prophecies of Malthus and 

 enable ever larger populations to live in comfort and contentment on 

 the same limited area of land. In such ways we may hope to- re- 

 strain the pressure of population and the urge for expansion which, 

 to my mind, are far more likely to drive the people of a nation to 

 war than the knowledge that they — and also the enemies they will 

 have to fight — are armed with the deadliest weapons which science 

 can devise. 



This last brings us to the thorny problem of economic depression 

 and unemployment. No doubt a large part of this results from the 

 war, national rivalries, tariff barriers, and various causes which have 

 nothing to do with science, but a residue must be traced to scientific 

 research ; this produces labor-saving devices which in times of 

 depression are only too likely to be welcomed as wage-saving 

 devices and to put men out of work. The scientific Robot in 

 Punches cartoon boasted that he could do the work of 100 men, 

 but gave no answer to the question — " Who will find work for the 

 displaced 99 ? " He might, I think, have answered — " The pure 

 scientist in part, at least." For scientific research has two products 

 of industrial importance — the labor-saving inventions which dis- 

 place labor, and the more fundamental discoveries which originate 

 as pure science, but may ultimately lead to new trades and new 

 popular demands providing employment for vast armies of labor. 



Both are rich gifts from science to the community. The labor- 

 saving devices lead to emancipation from soul-destroying toil and 

 routine work to greater leisure and better opportunities for its enjoy- 

 ment. The new inventions add to the comfort and pleasure, health 

 and wealth of the community. If a perfect balance could be main- 

 tained between the two, there would be employment for all, with 

 a continual increase in the comfort and dignity of life. But, as 

 I see it, troubles are bound to arise if the balance is not maintained, 

 and a steady flow of labor-saving devices with no accompanying 



