158 SOCIAL EVOLUTION 



the ocean. The effect of such isolation is ignorance, 



sunerMition, ;inl the early rr\ Mallization of thought and 

 custom. Imiorance involv.s the lack of material for 

 comparison; hence a restriction of the higher reasoning 



Fn.rRE 57. Confidence-inspiring Environment of Greece, Mount Ossa. 



processes, and an unscientific attitude of mind \vhidi 

 gives imagination free play. In contrast, the accessi- 

 hility of Greece and its focal location in the ancient 

 world made it an intellectual clearing-house for the east- 

 < TII Mediterranean. The general information gathered 

 there afforded material for wide comparison. It fed 

 the brilliant reason of the Athenian philosopher and the 

 trained imagination which produced the masterpieces of 

 Greek art and literature. ' ' 45 



Buckle's theory was that the awe-inspiring aspects 

 of nature in India, enormous mountain masses, vast 



*Semple. Infhirncr* of firograjil "/, pp. 18-19. 



