150 THE KINGDOM OF MAN 



Such officials are, of course, not to be blamed, but 

 rather the general indifference of the public to 

 the unreasonable way in which its interests are 

 neglected. 



A difficult feature in treating of this subject is that 

 when one mentions the fact that ministers of State 

 and the officials of the public service are not acquainted 

 with science, and do not even profess to understand its 

 results or their importance, one's statement of this 

 very obvious and notorious fact is apt to be regarded 

 as a personal offence. It is difficult to see wherein the 

 offence lies, for no one seeks to blame these officials 

 for a condition of things which is traditional and 

 frankly admitted. 



This is really a very serious matter for the scientific 

 world to consider and deal with. We represent a line 

 of activity, a group of professions which are in our 

 opinion of vital importance to the well-being of the 

 nation. We know that those interests which we value 

 so highly are not merely ignored and neglected, but 

 are actually treated as of no account or as non- 

 existent by the old-established class of politicians and 

 administrators. It is not too much to say that there 

 is a natural fear and dislike of scientific knowledge 

 on the part of a large proportion of the persons who 

 are devoid of it, and who would cease to hold, or 

 never have held, the positions of authority or emolu- 

 ment which they now occupy, were scientific know- 

 ledge of the matters with which they undertake to 

 deal required of them. This is a thorny subject, and 

 one in which, however much one may endeavour to 

 speak in general terms, it is difficult to avoid causing 

 personal annoyance. Yet it seems to me one of urgent 

 importance. Probably an inquiry into and discussion 



