30 Social Environment 



mated by an endeavor to justify the newly 

 established social system of which they were a 

 part. But it can be shown that the impetus to 

 some of their best work came originally from 

 such an endeavor, and in addition it was un- 

 avoidable that the spirit of their age should 

 somewhat enter into their interpretation of 

 newly discovered data. The rise of capitalism 

 with the industrial revolution created tidal 

 waves in the world of philosophic thought — a 

 world which, though bounded on the one side 

 by fundamental ideals, is yet on the other side 

 intimately in touch with social reality. The 

 new forces, tearing apart the social fabric and 

 building on the basis of existing world trade 

 an empire of capital, appealed to the imagina- 

 tion and demanded justification. In particu- 

 lar, there was honor and preferment for the 

 thinker who could interpret the trend of the 

 times to the satisfaction of the powerful rising 

 classes. In response to the demand arose new 

 schools of thought. 



In the sphere of economic interpretation the 

 names of Adam Smith and Ricardo stand out 

 most prominently. Though the former, be- 

 cause of the priority of his work and the 

 humanitarian spirit which it embodies, has 



